FIDA Webinar 2: “Stakeholders Discourse on Protecting Women and Children during the Covid-19 Pandemic”

As part of FIDA Nigeria’s intervention strategies during the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown, a Second WEBINAR was hosted on May 29, 2020, themed “Sharing experiences: Stakeholders Discourse on Protecting Women and Children during this Pandemic”

The purpose was to bring together key stakeholders to enable them share their experiences so we can collectively adopt new strategies to protecting the vulnerable during these precarious times

Discussants:

• Jacinta Ike (FCT SGBVRT)
• Ijeoma Amugo (NAPTIP)
• Dr. Minnie Oseji (MWAN)
• Chief Magistrate Adefunke Anoma (Family Court)
• Dr Fatima Akilu (NEEN Foundation) and
• Evelyn Membere-Asimiea (FIDA Nig)

Key take home points and expectations going forward included the following:

• The need for greater Sensitization on the VAPP Act
• Ensure prosecution of all GBV cases; no settlement
• Need for more collaboration by all stakeholders
• Break the culture of silence and stigmatization
• Take advocacy to the men and youth to stop VAW
• Position ourselves to be there for increased numbers of defiled and or abandoned children, teen age pregnancies etc.
• The need for greater counseling for offenders and victims
• Physcho – social intervention necessary; punishment must be combined with treatment
• More one stop intervention centers to be set up across the states
• Hotlines for easy access this period
• The need for the training of paralegals to assist at the grassroots for quick intervention

Rhoda Prevail Tyoden,

FIDA Nigeria CVP, the hostess for the program encouraged greater collaboration and quick responses by all stakeholders when called upon despite the several challenges of the lockdown.

The WEBINAR was moderated by Mrs. Eliana Martins FIDA Nigeria National Publicity Secretary. A total of one hundred and seventy persons were virtually in attendance.