BREAK BEYOND BARRIERS: WOMEN LAWYERS DEMAND EQUAL PLAYING FIELD AT 10TH ANNUAL PARLEY

The African Women Lawyers Association (AWLA), Nigeria Chapter, has called for a renewed, nationwide commitment to empowering women and dismantling the social structures that restrict their personal and professional growth.

The charge was made during the 10th AWLA Parley and Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Port Harcourt, centered around the theme “Read Women Beyond Limitations.”

Delivering the opening address, Chairperson of the Parley Planning Committee, Ngozi Enyosiobi-Abafor, Esq., urged women to reject restrictive societal expectations and realize that gender must never dictate an individual’s worth, rights, or potential.

"The strength of a woman should not be measured by the limitations placed before her, but by her ability to confront challenges, overcome barriers, and contribute meaningfully to society," Enyosiobi-Abafor stated.

Addressing misinterpretations of the gender equality movement, Enyosiobi-Abafor emphasized that female empowerment is not an attempt to compete with men, but a drive toward standardizing opportunities so both genders can collaborate in national development.

Keynote speakers—including Ginika Tor and Hon. Justice S.T. Bello—echoed the demand for self-determination, urging women to take initiative rather than await societal permission to excel.

Key Takeaways from the 10th AWLA Parley Include.

Self-Definition: Women must define themselves by their character, capacity, and achievements, rather than external constraints.

Resilience over Immunity: Career success does not eliminate obstacles; it requires the courage to move forward despite them.

End to Female Antagonism: Keynote speakers explicitly condemned instances where women pull each other down, calling instead for active mentorship, strategic cooperation, and mutual support.

Equal Opportunity for the Girl-Child: Speakers demanded structural parity in education and career opportunities for young girls across the nation.

The conference concluded with a unified mandate from the legal body: women must actively cultivate confidence, dismantle internal and external barriers, and recognize their inherent strength to lead effectively across all sectors of society.