On August 28, 2024, the Nigerian Bar Association Women Forum (NBAWF) honored Spaces for Change’s [S4C’s] Legal Officer, Ms. Chetachi Louis-Udeh, as one of the most outstanding State Leads of the association in Nigeria. This recognition took place during the NBAWF Annual General Meeting (AGM), organized on the sidelines of the just-concluded Nigerian Bar Association’s Annual General Conference held in Lagos. Ms. Udeh is currently the State Lead of NBAWF in Imo State.
Established under the NBA Constitution 2015 (as amended) in 2021, the Nigerian Bar Association Women Forum (NBAWF) has been a beacon of empowerment for female legal practitioners across Nigeria. As part of its mission, the Forum strives to address matters of interest to female lawyers, encourage impactful networking, and advocate for a global outlook within the legal profession. Throughout her tenure {2022-2024], Ms. Udeh and her executive committee spearheaded several impactful programs aimed at supporting and empowering female lawyers in Imo State. One notable achievement is the successful advocacy for the establishment of a crèche within the High Court premises in Owerri, providing much-needed support for young mothers practicing law.
The AGM itself was a momentous occasion, bringing together NBAWF members from across the country to strategize, celebrate achievements, and honour those who have made significant contributions to the Forum’s objectives. This award serves as a testament to Ms. Udeh’s unwavering commitment to advancing the cause of gender justice and wellbeing of female lawyers in Imo State. While wearing the two hats of NBAWF Imo State Lead and the Senior Legal Officer at S4C’s Owerri Office, Ms. Udeh devotedly uses the instrumentality of the law to dismantle institutional structures—whether legal or societal—that perpetuate discrimination against women. Her colleagues at S4C join the NBAWF in commending her commitment toward enthroning a gender-sensitive legal environment in Imo State.
