Oby Nwankwo
Executive Director – Civil Resource Development and Documentation Centre (CIRDDOC)
"I urge African States to stand with victims of atrocities – especially victims of sexual abuse who had for so long been largely overlooked in conversations about justice –by remaining in the ICC.”
A leader among Nigerian civil society, Oby Nwankwo has been working to make sure atrocity victims in Nigeria can rely on access to the Rome Statute system of international justice at home – through local and national legislation, but also by providing free legal services and helping women and girls acquire a basic knowledge of the laws that affect them in their daily lives.
Oby is the Founder and Executive Director of the Civil Resource Development and Documentation Centre (CIRDDOC) in Nigeria. CIRDDOC is an independent, non-governmental and non-profit organization established in 1996 to promote human rights, good governance and gender equality. Toward these ends, CIRDDOC provides free legal services and works to enhance women’s legal literacy in society so that women and girls know that justice is also meant to serve them.
“The ICC has an important role to play as a court of last resort holding leaders accountable when national courts are unable or unwilling to prosecute atrocities. I urge African States to stand with victims of atrocities – especially victims of sexual abuse who had for so long been largely overlooked in conversations about justice –by remaining in the ICC.”
Oby has long been a visible advocate of legislative processes that promote the enforcement of women’s rights. One of her most successful initiatives is the Women’s Human Rights Tribunal in Nigeria, which is held annually on 25 November in commemoration of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. The Tribunal exposes violations of women’s human rights in traditional practices and offers recommendations on ways to address these violations, followed by advocacy in local and national legislative bodies.
Oby also actively engages with lawmakers in Nigeria on domesticating the Convention of the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women as well as the African Union Protocol to African Charter on the Rights of Women in Africa. Through her efforts and close working relationships, Oby is ensuring that landmark measures protecting the rights of women and girls are available to all future generations of women.
