The Cost of Justice: An Anthology of Women’s Voices and Resilience in Nigeria
The Cost of Justice Anthology: Submit Now
Across Nigeria, countless women have braved the long, punishing road to justice after experiencing gender-based violence or harmful traditional practices. Their courage is often unseen—buried beneath police apathy, community shame, or legal bureaucracy. The Cost of Justice: An Anthology of Women’s Voices and Resilience in Nigeria is a bold new initiative that brings these stories into the light.
Organized by the South Saharan Social Development Organisation (SSDO) and supported by the Ford Foundation, the anthology centers on lived experiences told through powerful, original creative nonfiction. It is a call to witness, and more importantly, to listen.
Why The Cost of Justice Anthology Matters
Despite legal frameworks meant to protect women, many survivors face immense emotional, financial, and social costs in their pursuit of redress. This project recognizes that data alone isn’t enough—we need real stories to drive real change. The Cost of Justice aims to spark dialogue, challenge harmful norms, and push for policy reform by telling the truth, bravely and artfully.
Three Themes for the Cost of Justice Anthology
The anthology invites submissions under three potent themes:
- The Cost of Justice: Explore the literal and emotional toll of seeking legal justice—transport to courts, medical bills, family rejection, and more.
- The Gatekeepers: Spotlight the individuals and institutions that uphold, excuse, or resist harmful norms—elders, courts, employers, even health workers.
- Trapped in Silence: Address the burden of stigma and fear that keeps so many women from speaking out.
From “Courtroom on Credit” to “The Empty Chair”, the story prompts serve as inspiration, not limitation. Writers are encouraged to explore, combine angles, or create original structures that best tell their truths.
- Submission Guidelines for the Cost of Justice Anthology
- Word Count: Up to 3,500 words (12-pt font, double spaced)
- File Type: PDF only
- Anonymity: Use real name for submission; pseudonyms are allowed in the story
- Eligibility: Must be unpublished and not under review elsewhere
- Limit: One story per author
Deadline: June 23, 2025 (11:59 p.m. WAT)
Click here to submit your story
Important Dates
- May 19: Call for submissions opens
- June 23: Deadline for entries
- Aug 4: Longlist announced
- Aug 18: Final selections revealed
- Nov 2025: Public launch and celebratory reading in Lagos or Abuja
Contributors will be celebrated at the book launch and participate in vital community dialogue.
Why You Should Submit
This is a call for testimony. Whether you are a survivor, an advocate, or a witness, your story can change how communities understand and address injustice. It can also join the broader conversation on women’s rights in literature.
Looking for inspiration? Explore this rich list of recommended short stories featuring Pemi Aguda, Chimeka Garricks, and more to see how others tackle bold themes with narrative grace.
Writing Courageously
Not sure how to start? Take heart in the wisdom of others. In this article, ten brilliant poets discuss their philosophies and share the poems that helped them through rejection. Let their reflections remind you that storytelling is both art and activism.
Final Word
The Cost of Justice Anthology isn’t just a book project—it’s a platform for truth-telling. It’s a space for women’s voices, often silenced, to resonate boldly. It’s an archive of resilience.
If you carry a story, or if you know someone who does, now is the time to speak.
