Affirmative Action: FIDA Nigeria Commends the Courage, Sagacity, And Legal Willpower of The Judiciary
The Landmark judgement delivered by the Federal High court on Wednesday, 6th of April 2022 upholding and implementing the provisions of the National Gender Policy of 2006 regarding the 35% Affirmative Action in appointive positions and upholding the equality of the sexes in all appointive positions, is one that has carved a niche in the history of our nation’s jurisprudential antecedents.
FIDA Nigeria commends the courage, sagacity, and legal willpower of the judiciary in taking a pivotal step such as this, and further salutes the courage, resilience and leadership of the judiciary as this is indeed positive progress towards a more gender equal world.
We applaud and acknowledge with gratitude the Nigerian Women Trust Fund (NWTF) for igniting this process via litigation, and the effort, courage, perseverance and resilience of the other Co-Plaintiffs in this suit, particularly the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs; Women Empowerment and Legal Aid (WELA); Women in Politics Forum (WIPF); Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD-West Africa); Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC); Vision Spring Initiatives (VSI); YIAGA, Africa; 100 Women Lobby Group; and a host of other brave women groups who shared the same vision for gender equality.
FIDA Nigeria as a co-plaintiff in this case, has been in the vanguard for the struggle in attaining gender equality and parity in all spheres, particularly in the socio-political space, as a lot of factors not limited to lack of political representation, lack of access to education, societal mindsets, customs, traditions, myths, and many others, restrict the woman’s ability to maximize her potential.
This erudite judgement coming on the heels of the International Women’s Month could not have been delivered at a better or more apt time, when women all around the world in solidarity with the theme of this year’s IWD #Breakthebias, envision a gender equal world, a world free of bias, stereotypes and discrimination. A world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive for all. This year’s UN IWD’s theme posits a conscious effort to remove, stop, discontinue and erase all forms of prejudice against a group of people in a way considered to be unfair or discriminatory in nature.
As always, FIDA Nigeria shall not rest on its oars, nor relent in breaking the bias for a more equalitarian Nigerian society as encapsulated in its objectives. We shall continue to push for the reconsideration and re-presentation of the Bills jettisoned by the 9th Assembly, which Bills were aimed at promoting gender equality in the socio-political space. The rejection of those gender sensitive Bills undermined the relevance, input, and valuable contributions of Nigerian women to nation building.
FIDA therefore calls for the equitable and fair treatment of women in the socio-political arena devoid of any form of discrimination, prejudice, disadvantage, partisanship, unfairness, injustice, intolerance, sexism, pre-judgement, or bias rooted in gender.
FIDA Nigeria remains resolute in carrying out its objectives, noteworthy of which is “To advocate for legislation that will promote the advancement and protection of women and children”.
Together in unison of voice and shared vision, gender parity in Nigeria can be achieved and actualized.
Long live the Nigerian Woman!
#Breakthebias
#Genderparity
#FIDANigeria
Signed
Amina Suzanah Agbaje, Esq.
Country Vice President/CVP
Court Orders FG to Comply With 35% Affirmative Action for Women
On Thursday 6th 2022, Judgement was delivered in favour of Nigerian Women, granting them 35 per cent affirmative action on appointments
The matter before Hon. Justice D.U. Okorowo at Court 7 of the Federal High Court, Abuja had been on since 2020.
The judgement is considered of utmost National importance to Nigerian women since it is geared towards inclusive governance to reflect true democracy in Nigeria.
The court granted all the reliefs sought by the plaintiffs, which included FIDA Nigeria alongside other CSOs who formed part of the litigation team
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nigerianwomenmatter
FIDA Bayelsa Held One-day Workshop on the ACJA and other Anti- Corruption legislative frameworks in Nigeria
FIDA Nigeria, Bayelsa State branch with support from Macarthur Foundation on 6th of April 2022, held a one-day workshop on the Administration of Criminal Justice Act and other Anti-Corruption legislative frameworks in Nigeria.
Participants were drawn up from the different Justice sectors, comprising of Fidans from the Judiciary, Ministry of Justice, the Nigerian Bar Association, the Nigerian Police Force and the National Agency for The Prohibition Of Trafficking In Persons (NAPTIP)
Also, Participants were engaged in a pre-evaluation exercise to ascertain their level of preparedness for the training.
The outcome of the workshop/training with regards to the application of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Bayelsa State, 2019, is to improve the criminal justice system and to reduce corruption, in the criminal justice system in Bayelsa State.
The workshop/training was indeed impactful, there was an overhaul of the Justice system and the need for the effective application of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law and other relevant Anti- Corruption Legislation in Nigeria by the various Justice institutions in curbing corruption in the Justice system in Bayelsa State.
FIDA Anambra Conducts a 3-day Workshop on the ACJA and other Anti- Corruption legislative Frameworks in Nigeria
On the 6th of April 2022, FIDA Nigeria, Anambra branch with support from Mac-Arthur Foundation organized a one-day Continuous Legal Education (CLE) Training on the Administration of Criminal Justice Act/Law and other Anti-Corruption Legislative Frameworks in Nigeria held at FIDA Anambra Family Law Center. In attendance were Magistrates, staff of the Ministry of Justice Awka, Private legal practitioners, Staff of Correctional Service and FIDANS.
The training focused on improving the legal capacity of Female Lawyers in the Criminal Justice System/Anti Corruption.
Honorable Justice Pete Obiora Admin Judge of Idemili Judicial Division of the High Court of Anambra State facilitated the training. He dealt with the issue of corruption in the judiciary, categories, causes, and possible solutions. He emphasized the need to avoid delay in the administration of Justice.
Attendees were given Certificates of Participation at the end of the training.