by FIDAFIDA Abuja Trains Law Students at BAZE University
FIDA Abuja was at the Faculty of Law, BAZE University On the 27th of September to train law students on Gender based Violence. They were trained by the branch’s remarkable Assistant General Secretary, Ezinwa Obiajunwa, a passionate activist on issues relating to gender equality, children and human rights violations with over 5 years’ experience.
The event captured all the various forms of GBV and achieved the purpose of educating the youth, understanding that they are the future of tomorrow.
FIDA Abuja took up this project in partnership with Oxfam voice project and looks forward to a continuing relationship in sensitizing the Nigerian people on the VAPP Act and other relevant laws in line with the FIDA objectives.
by FIDAMonthly Community Sensitzation By FIDA Rivers
Rumuokrushi Community played Host to FIDA Rivers on Thursday the 26th September 2019.
The delegation led by the Chairperson Pst. Ngozi Ighosevbe.
The program which had over a hundred participants, had the Chaiperson pst Ighosevbe giving an overview of the VAPP Act and Sisters Chidinma Otuka, Kemi Ogunnoiki, Esther Achor- Korienta, Mercy Hirse- Damina further enlightening them on various sections provided in the abridged version of the Act.
by FIDAFIDA Imo Commissions New Secretariat Building
On the 25th of September 2019, FIDA Imo State branch Secretariat building was commissioned by His Excellency the Governor of Imo State Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha ably represented by Nze Meekam Mgbenwelu (Hon Commissioner for Technology Development). Members of the Board of Trustees and the National Executives of FIDA Nigeria were also in attendance.
by FIDAShelter for The Vulnerable
FIDA Nigeria Rivers state branch was hosted by the State’s Deputy Governor Dr. Nrs. Ipalibo Harry Banigo on Monday the 23rd September 2019, to discuss possibilities in ensuring a temporary rehabilitation space for traumatized victims \ survivors of all forms of abuse\violence.
FIDA Rivers sincerely appreciates this great opportunity and kind gesture from our amiable humanitarian Deputy Governor.
by FIDAStatement Condemning the Serial Killing of Young girls in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Nigeria is distressed by the reports circulating about serial killers in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. As an organisation with a mandate to promote, protect and preserve the rights of women and children, we loudly call for the arrest and conviction of the killers as well as for the better protection and enforcement of the rights of the citizenry.
Since July 2019, reports of at least ten women killed using the same distinctive style have been noted. The killers lure young women to nondescript hotels, drugs and sexually assaults them before strangling them to death and then tying them up with a white cloth as a form of ritual. The patterns are obvious, yet, the Nigerian Police Force has failed to apprehend any suspect.
Even more disturbingly, Chuks Enwonwu, the Deputy Commissioner of Police Administration for Rivers state released a statement in which he blamed prostitution as the cause of the killings. FIDA Nigeria seeks to challenge this logic, because there are many reasons for women to go to hotels other than to prostitute. This mind set explains the lax attitude of the Police and it needs to change.
The right to life is a fundamental right of the Nigeria citizenry as outlined in Section 33 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Murder is also a clear contravention of our criminal laws and aside from the defences provided by the law, there is no justification for taking another life. Whether the said victim was immoral or not. We condemn in totality the acts of these serial killers, as well as the response from the Nigerian Police force.
As an organisation that provides free legal representation for indigent women and children, we will do our part to ensure that justice is served for the lost souls, their families and loved ones.
We however call on the Nigerian Police Force to expedite action in their investigation and bring the perpetrator(s) of these dastardly crimes to book.
FIDA Nigeria also calls on the State government to rise up to the occasion and protect the lives of the citizens of the state as enshrined in Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) which clearly provides that “…the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government”. The State Government must therefore promptly rise up to its responsibilities and deploy all necessary machinery to check mate this crime; while instilling confidence in the system and the government. All hotels where these horrible incidents occurred must be sanctioned, steps must be taken to insist on proper security measures in all hotels and recreational facilities in the State.
We insist that more proactive steps must be taken by all concerned to protect the lives of citizens.
#StopTheKillingOfWomeninPH
#RespectTheRightToLife
Signed,
Rhoda Prevail Tyoden
Country Vice President/National President
Eliana Martins
National Publicity Secretary