by FIDAFIDA Uyo Commemorates World Day Against Trafficking in Persons
On Saturday 30th July 2022, FIDA Uyo Branch joined the world to commemorate the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons.
The theme of this year’s World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, “The Use and Abuse of Technology” highlights that the misuse of technology has significantly increased the illict business of trafficking.
FIDA Uyo commends the efforts of NAPTIP and other organizations in combating the crime of human trafficking, particularly, the recently launched National Action Plan against Human Trafficking.
We strongly believe that the implementation of the Action Plan will significantly curb the menace of human trafficking.
by FIDAWorld Day against Trafficking in Persons
We live in a world of technology, and it has become an integral part of our daily lives shaping everything we do. As we commemorate the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons 2022, with the theme “Use and abuse of technology” we find this
theme apt as perpetrators of trafficking have continued to evolve.
This year’s theme focuses on the role of technology as a tool that can both enable and impede human trafficking.
It is reported that Traffickers currently use technology to profile, recruit, control, and exploit their victims as well as using the Internet, (especially the dark web), to hide illegal materials stemming from trafficking in addition to hiding their real identities from investigators.
Trafficking in persons is the acquisition of people by improper means such as force, fraud, or deception, with the aim of exploiting them (UNODC). This is a grave violation of one’s human rights. As with the rest of the world, trafficking in persons poses a great challenge in Nigeria, some of the regular cases of trafficking in Nigeria as reported by NAPTIP include forced migration, sex trafficking, recruitment of persons for organ harvesting, trafficking in slaves, attempt to commit an offense under this Act, tampering with evidence, forced marriage, illegal adoption, custody battle and abuse of Power
According to UNODC’s Global report on trafficking the most common form of human trafficking is sexual exploitation (79%), and often times the victims of sexual exploitation are frequently girls. Similarly, the 2021 report by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTP) indicates that 1,112 cases of trafficking in persons were reported in the year under review with 35.8% being cases of sexual exploitation and illegal migration which in most cases are for prostitution.
In sub-Saharan Africa, 60% of trafficked victims constitute children with the larger chunk from west Africa (Global Report on Trafficking in Persons 2020, UNODC).
Due to the rising incidence of trafficking in this part of the world, we must take deliberate steps toward mitigating this challenge.
Often times, victims of trafficking are exploited because of their vulnerabilities such as the desire to escape domestic violence, poverty, mental or physical disabilities, homelessness, and migration for greener pastures.
With the global advancement in technological space, especially in communications, information of users on the world wide web is now previewed to a wider range of people, depending on the user’s privacy settings, personal information could even be accessed by strangers.
The role of technology in aiding and abetting victims of trafficking cannot be ignored either, perpetrators have transitioned from physical means of recruitment to virtual, technology most especially, social media serves as a platform where perpetrators can access potential victims due to their vulnerabilities and even computer illiteracy.
In most cases, the perpetrators impersonate certain positions they are not in a bid to lure online targets based on the information gotten from their interactions, these challenges are not only limited to the use of technology for the act but also as a means.
Victims can be sexually exploited by distributing pornographic content gotten illegally, the mental effect on the victim can take a long time as long as these materials remain in circulation; other effects can be stigmatization and withdrawal from society.
The DG of NAPTIP Dr Fatima Waziri–Azi, in the 2022 counter-trafficking strategic approach meeting reported cases of trafficking and other forms of exploitation via online means with a surge since the beginning of covid-19. Pandemic.
There have been several incidences, one of which is worthy of note which is the case of Iniubong Umoren who was in search for a job on social media, she was lured to a fake job interview and was eventually raped and killed in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
It is no doubt that trafficking has become a recurrent challenge in Nigeria and the world at large.
Despite its obvious challenges, technology is also an important asset for combatting trafficking which includes awareness creation on how trafficking networks operate, aid investigations, provide services to victims.
FIDA Nigeria calls on all the relevant stakeholders to build the capacity of the masses on digital literacy. Also, harness technology in efforts to counter trafficking in persons by imploring all necessary tools.
• Use of technology such as social media, facial recognition, geofencing, and geotagging to track perpetrators.
• Strategic collaboration and synergy between CSOs, Government agencies, and security apparatus. For example, NAPTIP’s collaboration with the National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children to enhance tracing and diligent investigation of all cases relating of child abuse and human trafficking.
FIDA Nigeria appreciates the hard work agencies and ministries of government including NGOs are doing in this respect and pledges continued support in the fight against human trafficking, as we will continue to partner with the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) to ensure that women and children can live in a society free from exploitation and abuse
FIDA Nigeria stands against all forms of trafficking humans, let’s put an end to it.
#endhumantrafficking
Amina Suzanah Agbaje (Mrs)
Country Vice /National President
by FIDAHanifa Abubakar: Kano Court Sentences Abdulmalik, Hashim to Death by Hanging
On the 28th day of July 2022, Justice Usman Naabba of the Kano State High Court sentenced the Proprietor of Noble Kids College Kano, Abdulmalik Muhammmad Tanko (38), and two others to death by hanging for the kidnapping and killing of Hanifa Abubakar, a five-year-old pupil.
They had conspired and kidnapped the late Hanifa, thereafter they killed and buried her in a shallow grave in Northwest Preparatory School, located at Kwanar Yan Ghana, in Nassarawa LGA, Kano
Justice is therefore served in this matter with the prompt trial and sentencing of the accused persons. This should also serve as a deterrent to others
by FIDACourtesy Visit from Palladium
Earlier today, the Deputy Team Leader & Program Director at Palladium, Dr. Omarzaman Sayedi in the company of Chief of Party, SCALE Lydia Odeh and Eric Umoru Social Protection and Inclusion Advisor Palladium, paid a visit to the Country Vice/National President FIDA Nigeria, Amina Suzanah Agbaje at the FIDA Nigeria National Secretariat Abuja.
The essence of the visit was to evaluate the successes achieved by FIDA Nigeria being one of the resource partners implementing the SCALE project. At the end of the visit, FIDA and SCALE had a better understanding for providing better approaches on delivering maximum report on the project
by FIDAFIDA Nigeria Invites Applications for Programme Officer
Job Vacancy for Canadian High Commission’s 2022/23 CFLI program Funded Project Officer.
The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Nigeria is a national non-profit, non-governmental, civil society organization of women lawyers established to promote, protect and preserve the rights, interests, and well-being of women and children through the use of the legal framework to ensure that they live free from all forms of discrimination, violence, and abuse in the society.
FIDA Nigeria has been at the forefront of advocating for laws and policies that protect the rights, including sexual and reproductive health rights, and dignity of women and girls; that ultimately seek to prevent all forms of violence that may be meted against them. In pursuing our objectives, we carry out advocacy, citizen engagement, and policy campaigns. We also provide technical assistance in legal education, training, mediation, and counseling to governmental and non-governmental institutions.
FIDA Nigeria is recruiting to fill the position below:
Job title: Project Officer
Location: Plateau State
Type: Six-month fixed term
Background
The project aims at building a cohort of Women in advancing Peacebuilding in two vulnerable communities across Bassa and Barkin Ladi Local Government Areas of Plateau State, North Central Nigeria through building skill sets of community-based women leaders, especially within a conflict context as they require a deeper understanding of the dynamics and nuances of such an environment in addressing the prevailing gender issues affecting security operations.
The individual will work towards achieving the major goals of the project to
- Establish the roles of women as peacebuilders and mediators in focal communities.
- Provide platforms for shared learning on participatory peace process by women amongst local communities
- Enhance a collaborative and coordinated approach between security actors and focal communities in mitigating conflicts
The Project Officer will work under the overall guidance and supervision of the FIDA Nigeria’s National President/Country Vice President, National Secretary, and other members of the National Executive Council, and would report to these individuals through the Programme Manager.
Duties and Responsibilities
The successful candidate will carry out the following tasks:
- Plan and implement the Project activities in Plateau State in close collaboration with the resident FIDA State branch and proactively deal with arising challenges, nuances, or changes.
- In collaboration with the resident FIDA state branch, develop and maintain stakeholder and network relationships essential to the project’s successful implementation.
- Develop products and prepare project and activity reports, technical briefings, background papers, and update notes for the project in the state.
- Contribute to the adherence to donor/grant requirements, including financial standards.
- Collaborate with the Accounts staff to ensure the proper management of financial records, including the provision of complete documentation for requests and retirements.
- Support the smooth and effective flow of communication between FIDA Nigeria, the State branch, and project stakeholders.
Competencies
1. Professionalism:
- Demonstrates professional competence in women and children’s rights, rule of law as well as, and knowledge of related policies and practices at the national, regional, and international levels.
- Demonstrates knowledge of programme management cycle, including monitoring and reporting.
- Ability to identify and contribute to the solution of problems/issues with a display of persistence.
- Conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines, and achieving results.
- Motivated by professional drive rather than personal concerns;
2. Teamwork:
- Ability to collaborate with colleagues within and outside of FIDA Nigeria to achieve organizational goals;
- Ability to solicit inputs by genuinely valuing the ideas and expertise of others;
- Willingness to learn from others;
- Support and act in accordance with team and organizational decisions;
3. Planning & Organizing:
- Ability to establish priorities, to plan, coordinate, and monitor work while prioritizing competing demands;
- Foresight for risks and contingencies when planning;
- Ability to monitor and adjust plans and projects as necessary;
4. Communication:
- Ability to write in a clear and concise manner and to communicate effectively with a range of audiences, including the ability to prepare reports and make presentations in a variety of fora;
- Ability to conduct presentations by clearly formulating positions on issues, articulating options concisely, conveying maximum necessary information, and making and defending recommendations.
Job Requirements
Minimum Required Experience:
- 2 years’ work experience in addressing women’s and children’s rights issues
- Experience in project implementation
- Bachelor’s Degree in any of the following: Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution, Sociology & Related fields
Women are strongly encouraged to apply.
Qualified candidates should send their curriculum vitae and formal application addressed to the Country’s Vice-President/National President at fidanigeria@yahoo.com.
The subject of the e-mail should be “Application for the Position of Project Officer Plateau State”.
Deadline: 1st August 2022.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
by FIDAFIDA Nigeria Celebrates Tobi Amusan as the First Nigerian Athlete to Win A World Athletics Championship Gold Medal
The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Nigeria celebrates Tobi Amusan, the first Nigerian athlete to win a World Athletics Championship gold medal as she stormed to victory in the women’s 100m hurdles in Oregon, USA on Sunday 24th July 2022.
Oluwatobiloba Ayomide “Tobi” Amusan (born 23 April 1997) is a Nigerian track and field athlete who specializes in the 100 metres hurdles and competes as a sprinter.
FIDA celebrates her as a great inspiration to others because she has proven that hard work, dedication, focus, and perseverance pays.
Having won the 2022 World Athletics Championship in the 100 metres hurdles, she has set a new world record of 12.12 seconds in the semifinal, then a wind-assisted 12.06 in the final.
Tobiloba was the 2018 Commonwealth and 2018 African champion and is also a two-time African Games champion in the same event. A woman of great fete, she won the Diamond League Trophy in Zurich in 2021 in the 100m hurdles.
We applaud her efforts and successes and call on other young girls to emulate her as a worthy Nigerian woman setting the pace in her chosen field.
by FIDAFIDA launches campaign against gender-based violence in Plateau
It was a moment for sober reflection for some elderly women who had been victims of gender-based violence, when the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Nigeria, Plateau State chapter, staged a campaign against sexual and gender-based violence in Gyel community of Jos South Local Government Area of the state.
The campaign began with the presentation of an action plan against gender-based violence to the Dagwom Rwey of Jos South, Da Ngah Dangyang, with a strong call to key into the fight against cultural norms that were injurious to women.
A 73-year-old woman, Esther Williams, who was a victim, said she was denied access to education because of her male siblings. She said she was made to work in the farm and do other menial jobs to sponsor the education of her brothers.
Esther said her father did not give her anything as inheritance but willed all his property to her brothers.
She said: “This reminded me of what happened when we were children. There was sentiment against the girl-child, whereby the boy-child would be sent to school and always protected. We are happy that such cultural norms are being addressed for a healthy society.
“For some of us, we were denied education only for our male siblings to go to school, while we don’t share in the inheritance of our parents. This practice set back the African society, which affected us greatly.”
The state chairperson of FIDA, Mrs. Obioma Achilefu, who led hundreds of women to Gyel community market and COCIN secondary schools to sensitize women and girls on their rights in the society, such as right to education like the boy-child, said gender violence should be avoided for the development of society.
Achilefu told the traditional ruler to use his office and ensure that women in the community got their share of the inheritance of their parents, which is currently being left as birthrights for the menfolk.
She noted that most women were dying in silence in their homes due to the previlence of gender-based violence that inflicts pains and agony on them.
According to her, the project, which was sponsored by Ford Foundation and implemented by FIDA, was aimed at sensitizing women and girls on their rights and to kick against all forms of gender-based violence.
She said: “We are happy that the key players have agreed on an action plan to ensure that all the socio-cultural activities that affect women negatively are nipped in the bud.
“We are here to disseminate the action plan and to create awareness for those whom these norms have not helped. We talking about norms such as women not having right of inheritance, culture of genital mutilation, rape and all forms of gender-based violence.
“We have come to tell the community that everybody should rise up, everybody should speak out, people should not keep quiet when there is gender-based violence, children should be exposed to education to have them understand the right that the laws of the land has given them.”
Former commissioner of justice, Plateau State, Olivia Dazyam, appreciated the Ford Foundation for sponsoring the programme and Gyel community for embracing the programme to correct most societal ills.
“We have challenges of sexual and gender-based violence in the community and female disinheritance, widowhood and dangerous practices such as rape and domestic violence, among others.
“For two years now, we have been interacting and empowering the community to arise and speak out against the dangerous practices. We are happy that, at the end, the community came out with an action plan that they will pursue to ensure the practice of sexual and gender-based violence are eliminated in the community,” she said.
The programme officer, FIDA, Plateau State, Rita A. Lasoju, and former chairperson of FIDA, Plateau State, Mary Izam, said the programme was to create awareness on gender rights among women and girls.
Lasoju noted that there has been prevalence of sexual and gender-based violence, female disinheritance, economic violence, and rape, among others. So, the community came together and developed an action plan to tackle the menace in the area.
The secretary of Dagwom Rwey of Jos South, Jonathan Dangyang, said the traditional institution has accepted the project and would do everything within the ambit of the law to minimize and eliminate gender-based violence in the community and ensure equal rights between the boy-child and the girl-child.
The sensitization walk enlightened people against the danger of sexual violence such as rape, sexual harassment, sexual abuse, child sexual abuse, sexual exploitation, and harmful traditional practices, among others.
by Gyang Bere
by FIDAPeer-to-peer Learning and Coaching Session for Trained Traditional/Community Leaders and CSOs in Nothern Nigeria
FIDA Nigeria as part of activities under the Palladium SCALE Project conducted a mentoring, coaching and peer-to-peer learning session for trained traditional/community leaders and civil society organizations under the project focal states from Northern Nigeria in Katsina, Katsina State on 21st July 2022. At the end of the session, the communities and civil society organizations developed a shared understanding for developing better coordination mechanisms and effective preventive and response strategies and referral pathways on SGBV & CEFM prevalent in focal communities on this intervention.
by FIDAFIDA Nigeria Memo Presentation at the Public Hearing on 7 bills, Including the VAPP and ACJA Bill
FIDA Nigeria on the 20th of July 2022 was before the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters to present a memo on 7 bills at the Public Hearing
The three bills FIDA commented on were:
1. Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015 (Repeal and Re-Enactment) Bill, 2022 (SB.920);
2. Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, 2015 (Repeal and Enactment) Bill, 2022 (SB.926);
3. African Union Convention on the Protection and Assistance of Internally Displaced Persons (Domestication and Enforcement) Bill, 2021 (SB.763);
FIDA Nigeria Memo was read by Ms Ogechi Abu on behalf of the Country Vice President, Ms Amina Suzanah Agbaje, who was unavoidably absent.
The committee appreciated FIDA Nigeria for fulfilling its mandate and for constantly showing up.
The FIDA NIGERIA team was also represented by: Ms Mariam Omeiza, Ms Rahila Dauda and Mr Ifeanyi Eze.
FIDA Nigeria commends the work on the proposed ACJA bill and also appreciates its partners on the Joint EU- UN spotlight initiative for its contributions and support at the public hearing.
by FIDADissemination of Action Plans and Community Sensitization, in Ilawe-Ekiti
FIDA Nigeria, Ekiti branch with support from Ford Foundation on the 8th of July 2022, conducted a community sensitization in Ilawe-Ekiti by disseminating validated Action Plans and fliers containing articles on Gender-Based Violence.
The team was received by High Chief Ajibade Olubunmi, representing the Alawe of Ilawe-Ekiti, Oba Adebanji Ajibade Alabi (Afuntade I) at the Alawe Palace.
The members of the GBV Surveillance Team in Ilawe-Ekiti comprising of Traditional Leaders, Religious Leaders, Market Chiefs, Commercial Transporters, the Nigerian police force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and The Head of Primary Health Care(PHC). were formally introduced to the Oba.
FIDA Ekiti Chairperson gave a summary of the project and its impact on Ilawe-Ekiti Community after which copies of the Validated Action Plan, Fliers, and Consent Form were distributed to the Representative of the Monarch.
The High Chief in his remark thanked Ford Foundation and FIDA for choosing the Community for implementation of the project. He read out the content of the Commitment Form and signed same subsequently.
FIDA Ekiti and the GBV Surveillance Team thereafter went into the marketplace where they were introduced to the Community.
The Community were sensitized in Yoruba and Igbo Languages as well as Ekiti dialect. The Validated Action Plan was conspicuously hung at a strategic position where members of the community can read.
Subsequently, The team went to Ekiti State Girls Model College for sensitization where we had an audience of over 200 students. It was a highly interactive session with the students and teachers. Copies of the Validated Action Plan and fliers were donated to the school for its library. It was indeed an impactful outing.
