Three female lawyers have written to the Chief Judge of the Nigerian Federal High Court asking him to take action against the sexual harassment of women working in the courts – and to make sure women are given equal treatment to men.
In 2012 the then-Chief Justice of Nigeria said that women lawyers should not feel pressurised to declare if they’re married or not in court – but the practice still continues.
Gloria Ballason was one of the authors of the letter and is CEO of the House of Justice, a human rights radio call-in programme.
“Asking females to identify if they’re Miss or a Mrs is in itself problematic because that kind of comment is not needed for the male lawyers… You feel like you’re cattle for sale or taken so you feel objectified as a lawyer.”
(Photo and credit: Gloria Mabeiam Ballason) (bbc)
