In an era where digital innovation is reshaping global industries, the legal profession is being urged to embrace technology as a formidable shield for the vulnerable.
This was the central message at the 2025 Law Week of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Nigeria, Ikeja Branch, held on Friday.
The program, themed “From Paper to Power: Enforcing Women’s Rights Through Technology and Legal Frameworks,” brought together legal luminaries, human rights activists, and tech experts to brainstorm on closing the enforcement gap in Nigeria’s justice system.
In her welcome address, the Chairperson of the Law Week, Mrs Uchechi Erugo, set a provocative tone for the deliberations.
She noted that while Nigeria has made strides in drafting protective legislation, the transition from written law to actual enforcement remains a hurdle.
“Globally, women’s rights have increasingly moved beyond mere written commitments to enforceable actions, driven by innovation and advocacy,” Erugo stated.
She emphasised that modern justice systems must integrate digital tools to strengthen accountability, evidence gathering, and legal protection.
According to her, the dimension of justice has changed, and the legal profession must adapt to protect the vulnerable in a world where abuse is often facilitated through digital means.
“Laws on paper are not enough because effective enforcement must be modern, sustainable, and technology-supported.
“When we combine strong legal frameworks with innovative tech, that is when we truly move our action from paper to power,” she added.
The Country Vice President of FIDA Nigeria, Mrs Eliana Martins, in a goodwill message, while reflecting on FIDA’s 60-year history of campaigning for the rights of women and children, noted that technology now offers a level of reach and effectiveness previously unimaginable.
She urged participants to use the Law Week as a platform to deepen engagement with emerging rights issues.
“It is heartwarming that this year’s conversation promises to dive deeper into the possibility of using modern technology as a tool or driver to the actualisation of women’s rights,” Martins said.
She encouraged lawyers to maximise these strategies to strengthen enforcement mechanisms that protect girls from violence and abuse.
The keynote address, delivered by renowned tech lawyer Mr Emmanuel Fashola, provided a roadmap for what he termed Woman-Centred Digital Justice.
Fashola argued that the future of the legal profession is inherently digital and data-driven. He highlighted successful global models, such as online protection orders in the United States, AI-driven crime tracking in India, and the proliferation of mobile courts and gender desks across East Africa.
Fashola posited that Nigeria is at a crossroads where it can leapfrog existing challenges by combining legal reform with technological innovation.
“Technology will not replace lawyers, but lawyers who use technology will replace those who do not, especially in the enforcement of women’s rights,” Fashola remarked.
While acknowledging gains like the domestication of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act (VAPP) and the wider acceptance of digital evidence in Nigerian courts, he pointed out glaring gaps.
These include low conviction rates and the surge in sophisticated online harassment. To bridge these, he called for smart protection orders and AI-powered case management systems.
Rounding off the remarks, the Chairperson of the FIDA Ikeja Branch, Mrs Nnenna Eze, detailed the branch's practical efforts since its inauguration in October 2022.
“As one of FIDA’s 46 chapters, the Ikeja branch has handled numerous cases involving domestic violence and exploitation.
“That digital tools are already playing a critical role in documenting violations and tracing perpetrators,” Eze noted.
However, she called for greater synergy between government institutions, civil society, and tech partners.
“Digital tools provide the transparency and efficiency required to make legal protection accessible,” Eze concluded, emphasising that technology gives women and children the confidence to participate fully in social and economic life.
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