FIDA Abuja Flags off 16Days of Activism 2020
To flag off the 16 days activism 2020, FIDA Abuja, visited the Suleja and Kuje Correctional Service Centers with the Honourable Chief Judge of the FCT, Hon. Justice I.U.Bello.
Christmas came early for some of the inmates who were granted amnesty by the Chief Judge. Some of these convicts were women who had been convicted to imprisonment with the option of fine.
FIDA Abuja branch in its effort to always ensure the welfare of women, took on the responsibility to pay off the fines of some of these women who had no way of paying their fines.
#16DaysOfActivism
#EndGBV
#orangetheworld
16 DAYS OF ACTIVISM 2020
2020 UNiTE Campaign Theme: “Orange the World: Fund, Respond, Prevent, Collect!”
FIDA Nigeria joins the world in commemorating the annual 16 Days Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) with a lineup of several activities, commencing from 25th November to 10th December 2020.
This year has been a challenging year in the world with the Covid-19 Pandemic and then in Nigeria came the #EndSARS/Police Brutality protests which resulted in crises and curfews nationwide causing further distress to the vulnerable in society.
In all of this, FIDA Nigeria acted in line with the theme for this year – we Funded, supported Programs, responded to calls, and strived to Prevent all forms of GBV against the vulnerable in society.
Ending gender-based discrimination and violence is a global priority that requires collective action, Accordingly, as the world marks this year’s 16 days of Activism against gender-based violence, FIDA Nigeria calls on all stakeholders to play an active part in the sensitization, prevention, protection and enforcement to ensure the Elimination of these ills in our society.
This call is imperative as the rate of violence has escalated due to the COVID-19 pandemic and other related reasons, reports clearly show an alarming increase in the already existing pandemic of violence against women and children.
The UN Secretary-General in delivering his report on, “Shared Responsibility, Global Solidarity: Responding to the socio-economic impacts of COVID-19″ stated that” Accompanying the crisis has been a spike in domestic violence reporting, at exactly the time that services, including rule of law, health and shelters, are being diverted to address the pandemic”.
FIDA Nigeria in her bid to curb the high rate of GBV during the lockdown engaged in different programs, ranging from press releases/conference, advocacy visits (to Attorney Generals, IGP & Media Houses), sensitizations, Rallies and social media campaigns.
In commemoration of the 2020 16 days activism against Gender-based violence on the theme” Fund, Respond, Prevent and Collect” FIDA is putting together a project to provide access of justice at the grassroots level for victims of Gender-based violence by training paralegals. We call on the support of the Federal and State Governments to fund this project in addition to the establishment of Gender Desks at police stations and the Ministry of Justice with trained personnel for accelerated treatment of cases, one-stop referral centres in all states with rapid response units and sex offenders register with a shared database; free and compulsory medical treatment for victims and compulsory psycho-analysis for the accused, special courts for the trial of GBV cases.
Protection for victims of GBV; the accelerated adoption of the VAPP Act and the Child Rights Act in all States, and the review of the Penal Code to be in tandem with the VAPP Act.
We insist on the implementation of all legislation related to gender-based violence.
FIDA Nigeria remains committed to protecting, promoting and preserving the rights of woman and children and will continue to provide free legal representation and advice to survivors of Rape.
#RespectNotRape
#StopTheCultureOfSilence
#StopAllFormsOfViolence
#NoMeansNo
#FIDAsaysNotoVAW
#OrangetheWorldStopGenderBasedViolence
#GenerationEqualityStandsAgainstRape
Rhoda Prevail Tyoden
Country Vice President/National President
FIDA Nigeria
Eliana Martins
National Publicity Secretary
FIDA Nigeria
FIDA NIGERIA AGM DAY 3
Day 3 of FIDA Nigeria AGM and Pre-Convention Meeting held beautifully with member who could not be physically present also joining virtually. The Executives of FIDA Nigeria including FIDA branch representatives in each geopolitical zone joined in paying a courtesy visit to His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Simon Bako Lalong, Governor of Plateau State, who received them with key commissioners in his cabinet including the Attorney General of the State Hon. Chrysanthus Ahmadu. The day ended with formal dinner/award presentation at Steffan Hotel, Rayfield Jos.
FIDA Nigeria AGM Day 2
Day Two of FIDA Nigeria Annual General Meeting started with business sessions on continuing Legal education for Fidans with presentations by different Chairpersons. The sessions were chaired by Chief Mrs Victoria Awolomo SAN. The first presentation was on the “Child Rights Act” by Emem Ette(Aqua Ibom State), followed by the “Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act” by Phil Nneji (Lagos State), then the “Administration of Criminal Justice Act” by Chief Magistrate Adefunke Helen Anoma( Ekiti State). Discussions were also held on the presentations. The sessions were concluded by Group work and presentations on the respective legal laws being tools for effective service
The evening program was cultural dress and presentations by the different branches; it proved very colourful and entertaining.
FIDA Nigeria Law Week/AGM and Pre- Convention Meeting
FIDA Nigeria Law Week/AGM and Pre- Convention Meeting held from 18 – 21 November 2020, with the Theme: “Building Effective Service Delivery to Enhance Justice for The Vulnerable in Society”. The week was filled with lots of educative yet entertaining activities.
Advocacy visit by FIDA Nigeria Executives to the Plateau State Attorney General Hon. Chrysanthus Ahmadu Also, to the Chief Judge of Plateau State Justice Yakubu Dakwak.
FIDA Nigeria AGM Opening Ceremony
The formal Opening Ceremony for the FIDA Nigeria Law Week, Annual General Meeting/ Pre-Convention Meeting commenced On the 18 of November 2020, chaired by the First Lady of Plateau State Her Excellency Mrs Regina Lalong who was ably represented by H.E the Wife of the Deputy Governor of Plateau State Mrs. Abigail Tyoden. In attendance were the Attorney General of Plateau State, Hon Chrysanthus Ahmadu and Hon Justice Julie Kyentu (RTD) PCCA amongst other key dignatories who graced the occasion. The Opening Ceremony was followed by a Welcome Cocktail, by the poolside where attendees were entertained with a cultural display
FIDA Nigeria Visit To JOFIN Orphanage Home
Members of The International Federation of Women Lawyers on the 17th of November, 2020, visited the Jesus Only Friend International Orphanage Home (JOFIN), Rukuba road, Jos Plateau state Nigeria, where they spent time with the children in the home who entertained them with beautiful drama and musical presentations. Donations of necessary materials was made to the home to support.
Issues posed by Human Trafficking were discussed, as well as probable solutions in curbing the effects of trafficking; furthermore, the role of FIDA in the protection of the vulnerable members of the society was also considered.
The 2020 Law Week Cake was cut and shared with the children
FIDA Anambra visits Ukpor and Umueri community
FIDA Nigeria, Anambra State branch with support from Action Aid and funding from Global Affairs Canada, visited two communities, Ukpor and Umueri, on the 13th of November, 2020, to implement the Covid – 19 top-up fund intervention project. The visit was aimed at sensitizing the leaders and members of the communities on the extant laws that deals with Human Rights Violation and Gender Based Violence (GBV) and to publicize fida’s services for legal aid and legal representation.
FIDA Nigeria Inaugurates her 35th branch
FIDA Nigeria, on the 5th of November 2020, inaugurated her 35th branch, FIDA Nigeria Zamfara State Branch. The occasion was attended by government officials, the state judiciary, CSOs, the Country Vice President FIDA Nigeria Rhoda Prevail Tyoden, Deputy Country Vice President Amina Agbaje alongside FIDA members. It was a great success.
FIDA Nigeria, Ekiti State Branch held a Ford Foundation Project Inception Meeting
On the 28th of October 2020, FIDA Nigeria, with support from Ford Foundation held a project inception meeting at Erinmope-Ekiti, the Programme Officer, Catherine Oduluyi, introduced the project, with the theme: “Work with Gatekeepers, Women Leaders, Religious Leaders and Traditional Rulers to Address Social Norms that Negatively Affect the Status of Women and Entrench Violence Against Women and Girls”, to the participants. She noted that, various beliefs which sterns from culture and religions are basically the roots of GBV and gender inequality, hence, there is a need for cultural and attitudinal change. She stressed further that Government has provided Laws but the laws seem not to deter people from perpetrating acts of GBV and practices enhancing inequality. Ford Foundation has provided another solution with a community-based approach, hence the need for the commitment different categories of community stakeholders. She gave an overview of the project plan and activities to be carried out in the project.
At the meeting, participants engaged in a collaborative session which helped to create a deeper understanding of the project. The stakeholders in turn shared their knowledge of the project and gave suggestions.
The major outcome of the meeting was the formation of a surveillance team to report incidents of GBV in the community to FIDA