FIDA Nigeria Inaugurates Ikeja Branch, Lagos State
FIDA Nigeria as part of its commitment towards effectively reaching the grassroots while scaling up on its core objective of protecting, promoting and preserving the rights of women and children, inaugurated her 44th Branch, FIDA (Nigeria) Ikeja Branch Lagos State on Wednesday, 14th of September 2022.
The Inauguration ceremony took place at the NBA Ikeja Branch Secretariat Hall, Old Secretariat building, Ikeja Lagos State.
The Theme of the inauguration was “Challenges faced by Women and Children in Nigeria: The Nigerian Experience!”
In attendance at the occasion were several distinguished personalities including the Country Vice President FIDA Nigeria, Amina Suzanah Agbaje; Chief Magistrate A.B Olagbegi Adelabu (Keynote speaker); Chairman Magistrate’s Association of Nigeria Lagos State Branch, Alex Muoka (Guest speaker); FIDA Nigeria National Secretary, Eliana Martins; amongst several other FIDA members and invited guests.
The inauguration was carried out by the Country Vice President FIDA Nigeria, after which the new Branch officials were sworn in. The inauguration was a huge success and underscores FIDA’s commitment to ensuring that the scope of provision of legal services (pro-bono) is broadened and extends far to the grassroots where it is mostly needed.
FIDA, NBA Train Young Legal Practitioners On Ethics, Discipline In Kano
The Kano State branch of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), in collaboration with the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), has trained 100 young lawyers on professional ethics and discipline.
According to the FIDA state chairperson, Bilkisu Ibrahim Suleiman, the training, which was held at the NBA state secretariat, was aimed at developing the capacity of the young legal practitioners in areas they are having problems.
She said the upcoming lawyers would not only need to practice but to mingle and learn from experienced and senior members in the profession so they can improve in handling legal proceedings.
Speaking, Chief Magistrate Umma Sani Kurawa, who deliver a keynote presentation on filing processes for civil and criminal proceedings, advised FIDA to be revisiting cases at correctional facilities for review of convicted cases tried outside the jurisdiction.
“I was opportune to visit the prison when I was a Senior Magistrate and my jurisdiction was to impose a fine of N15,000. To my surprise, I met a woman who was convicted and a fine of N50,000 was imposed on her by a magistrate of grade II.
FIDA Nigeria Commences the Implementation of A Women Inclusion in Peace Building Project in Plateau State
The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Nigeria is set to commence the implementation of a project with specific focus on Promoting the Inclusion of Women in Peace Building & Conflict mitigation across vulnerable communities in Plateau State, Nigeria.
On this project, FIDA Nigeria partners with the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade, and Development (“DFATD”) CANADA to implement a Canadian-funded local initiative intervention.
The National Programme Manager, FIDA Nigeria, Mr Fikih Obaro, in a statement emphasized on the purpose of the project which is designed to build a cohort of Women in advancing Peacebuilding across two vulnerable communities namely Ta-Hoss community, in Riyom Local Government Area and Kwok community in Barkin Ladi LGA, Plateau State, North -Central Nigeria.
This intervention will be advanced 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 environment in addressing the prevailing gender issues affecting security operations and community dialogues.
This intervention affirms that women in conflict-ridden societies, possesses important strategic insights and competencies for addressing security challenges and underlying factors.
The specific objectives of the project are to:
• Establish the roles of women as peacebuilders and mediators in focal communities.
• Provide a platform for shared learning on participatory peace process by women amongst local communities
• Enhance a collaborative and coordinated approach between security agencies & focal communities in mitigating conflicts
Consequently, the project will take into context the local dynamics on gender roles while seeking to empower women through culturally reflective strategies to participate effectively in the protection of their communities through peace-building efforts.
Through mapping of community peace-building forums & networks, the intervention will deliberately seek local women’s participation in the intervention, to challenge and change existing narratives on the role of women in peace and security, that seek to dis-empower them
The project will be implemented over an eight-month period and will support existing peace-building architectures, and relevant state and non-state actors in the state will be enabled to respond on security threats /issues identified and escalated at the community level by women who will serve as community safety partners.
FIDA Nigeria was established in 1964 with its main objectives being to establish friendly international relations on the basis of equality and mutual respect for all peoples; to preserve the rights and welfare of women, children & persons with disabilities, realising that the happiness of the home and the strength of the society is dependent on their wellbeing and to proffer advice to Government in all cases of disregard relating to women and children.
Signed
Amina Suzanah Agbaje (Mrs)
Country Vice President/National President
FIDA Nigeria
FIDA Nigeria Congratulates Hon. Justice Hafsat Abdulrahman, First Female Acting Chief Justice of Adamawa State
On the 5th of September 2022, Hon. Justice Hafsat Abdulrahman was sworn in as the first female Acting Chief Justice of Adamawa State, before His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri.
FIDA Nigeria congratulates and felicitates with her Lordship, on this most noble and historic accomplishment as we look forward to seeing her showcase her sterling qualities for the greater benefit of the society.
We equally congratulate all women recently elevated to the Bench across the different states of Nigeria
FIDA celebrates women who provide meritorious service
First Bank of Nigeria, Ikot Ekpene Branch Visits FIDA Uyo Shelter
On Saturday 27th August, 2022, First Bank Nigeria, Ikot Ekpene Branch as part of her Corporate Social Responsibility visited Ruby’s Place, a shelter managed by FIDA Nigeria, Uyo Branch.
Food Items and other household items were donated to the Shelter and on hand to receive the Bank and the items were the Immediate Past Chairperson of FIDA Nigeria, Uyo Branch, Emem Ette Esq., Dame Helen Egube,JP and Maria Otuko Esq.
FIDA Ikot Ekpene appreciated the team from First Bank for the kind gesture extended towards the shelter.
FIDA Nigeria Side Event at The 62nd NBA Annual General Congress
The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Nigeria on the 24th of August 2022, held her Side Event at the 62nd NBA Annual General Conference at NIIA, Victoria Island in Lagos State with the theme: Repressive Cultural and Religious Norms Against Women and Children: Bold Transitions from Rhetoric to Action
The Master of Ceremony was Oluwatomisin Adebukola, an award-winning broadcaster and journalist, a writer, and a gender and human rights advocate.
In attendance was the Special Guest of Honor, First Lady of Lagos State Her Excellency Claudiana Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu ably represented by Mrs. Edith Ebute wife of the Hon Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget. And our Special Guest of Honor and Chairperson of the Session Mrs. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe Managing Director/CEO of Fidelity Bank.
Other Guests were the Hon. Commissioner, Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA) Cecilia Bolaji Dada, Dr Babajide Martin, Director of Public Prosecution, Lagos State; Hon. Justice Jumoke Olusola Pedro, of the Lagos State Judiciary, FIDA Nigeria National Executive Committee Members, FIDA International Director, Ezinwa Okoroafor, Joy Ezeigbo, Fida International Regional Director (west & North Africa); Past FIDA International Officers; Past National Officers; Linda Bala, First Vice Elect of the NBA; FIDA Branch Executive members
Our Plenary Session was Moderated by Prof. Felicia Anyogu, the Chairperson of FIDA CLE Committee and a Professor of Law at the Nnamdi Azikwe University, Awka Anambra State; Our erudite guest speakers who were most enlightening, frank, and very practical in their presentations were Chukwuemeka Eze, a Legal Practitioner and Public Affairs Analyst, Prof. Sylvia Chika Ifemeje, the Attorney General & Commissioner for Justice Anambra State, Frank Tietie, the Director Citizens Advocacy for Social Economic Rights (Caser)
FIDA Nigeria members turned out massively for the event and it was a great success
fidanigeria #nbaagc
FIDA Nigeria Annual Dialogue & Peer Learning Forum for Community Gatekeepers
Since 2020 FIDA Nigeria with support from Ford Foundation has been implementing a project tagged “Work with Gate Keepers including Women Leaders, Youths, Religious Leaders and Traditional Rulers to Address Social Norms that negatively affect the status of women and entrench violence against women and girls” aimed at mitigating incidences of gender-based violence in six communities across the project focal states including Ekiti, Lagos and Plateau states by altering social norms, beliefs and traditional practices in the communities through community-led change.
As the project comes to an end, FIDA Nigeria as part of activities towards finalizing its closure on Thursday, 25th August 2022 held an “Annual Dialogue & Peer Learning Forum for Community Gatekeepers in addressing social norms that negatively affect the status of women and entrench violence against women”.
The purpose of this national dialogue was to upscale the previous dialogues organized at state level to a national level with the aim of providing a platform for learning, improved intervention approaches and collaboration amongst Gatekeepers in the project focal communities towards ending gender-based violence as well as boost self-assessment/stocktaking through peer reviews towards ensuring the sustainability of the intervention and to confer awards on selected community champions who have contributed in ending GBV in their communities.
As part of our sustainability plan for this intervention, communities have developed & created action plans to prevent prevalent harmful, religious & cultural practices experienced by women & girls in the communities they are domiciled. This was achieved through capacity-building activities on leadership and GBV issues, town hall meetings, sensitization & awareness campaigns in communities on the prevention of this menace and selection of community champions on SGBV among others.
The event ended on a high note with the acknowledgment of giant strides taken by the communities, the presentation of awards, group photographs and networking amongst stakeholders.
Fida Nigeria confirms the successful implication of this project in the achievement of project objectives and overwhelming satisfaction and happiness of target communities
2-Day Staff Capacity-Building Training
On 18th August 2022, FIDA Nigeria with support from Action Aid as part of activities under the Women, Voices, and Leadership (WVL) Project commenced a 2-day staff capacity-building training.
The training objective aimed at institutional strengthening focused on the development and adoption of institutional policies, human rights approach, and other relevant and dynamic concepts/tools trending in gender-based violence programming.
In addition, staff of the organization also had a step down of the Action Aid Psychosocial Support Training as part of efforts aimed at improving GBV responses for survivors.
At the end of the training, staff were trained on the usage of the DASS Screening tool and soft copies of the screening tool deployed across all departments whilst hard copies will be resident in the Legal and Counselling Department of the Organization.
FIDA Nigeria Bi-Annual Coordination Meeting
On the 16th of August 2022, Palladium in collaboration with FIDA Nigeria as one of its resource partners held its 2nd Bi-Annual Coordination meeting with some key stakeholders in the fight against Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV), Child Early and Forced Marriage (CEFM) in Nigeria as part of activities under the SCALE project.
The meeting was to track progress, experience sharing by some key stakeholders, and further advance collaboration between frontline practitioners, SCALE resource partners, and relevant government entities across the SGBV and CEFM sectors in Nigeria.
Call For Expression of Interest
Call For Expression of Interest To Develop A Training Manual On The Roles Of Women In Conflict Resolution And Peace Building
The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Nigeria is a non-profit, non-governmental organization made up of over 4,000 female lawyers with several years’ experience in utilizing the law to address social problems in Nigeria. The organization’s mandate is the enhancement, promotion, protection and preservation of the rights and welfare of women and children in Nigeria FIDA Nigeria implements key projects and activities aimed at providing access to justice to indigent persons, particularly women and children.
RATIONALE
Violence and conflict are deeply gendered as people’s ideas and attitudes towards violent conflict and how they experience it depends on gender relations, roles and norms. In many societies, the ability to use violence is attributed to men, and often linked to ideas about manliness and masculinities. The use of violence is also linked to unequal power relations.
These unequal power relations has created relations of dominance of men over women and men over other men, which are upheld and justified through social, moral, cultural, religious, political and economic norms. Conflict has the potential to reinforce the ”unequal dualism” between women and men by amplifying masculine notions of strength, determination and fearlessness versus depicting women as passive mothers or as supporting and caring wives in need of protection.
In indigenous Nigeria Communities, women are rarely included in decision-making circles let alone in dialogue around peace and security strategies. This is as a result of cultural characterization of the gender roles that women in such communities have been saddled with. Due to scores of men killed during conflict, women are forced to assume head of household in most homes, but continue to face structural and cultural barriers to economic opportunity. Despite the persistent exclusion of women from social and political power to alter these conditions, women nonetheless do regularly function as parties to conflicts as negotiators, informants, mentors and as members of non-armed groups.
As noted in the Platform for Action of the Fourth United Nations World Conference on Women, “while entire communities suffer the consequences of armed conflict and terrorism, women and girls are particularly affected because of their status in society as well as their sex”. This has caught women in a vicious paradox because while, on the one hand, they are the main civilian victims of conflicts, they are, on the other hand, often powerless to prevent them, excluded from the negotiating tables when it comes to their resolution and marginalized in the post-conflict reconstruction and reconciliation efforts. The general exclusion of women from decision-making positions prior to, during and following violent conflict, reinforces their victimization.
Civil Society Organizations have begun to consider that women can play a particularly important role in the prevention and resolution of conflicts and have appreciated the positive contribution women can make in post-conflict reconstruction and peace consolidation. Hence, empowering women in conflict situations would help prevent gender-based violence such as the abominable crimes of rape, forced pregnancy, sexual slavery and among others.
It is against this background that FIDA Nigeria through her Canada Fund for Local Initiative seeks to urge focal communities to ensure increased representation of women at all decision-making levels, institutions and mechanisms for the prevention, management and resolution of conflicts because we recognize that women’s equal participation in the peace process is an essential condition for establishing lasting peace as they bring alternative perspectives to conflict prevention at the grass-roots and community levels.
To achieve the aforementioned, FIDA Nigeria seeks to train Communities and Grassroots women on Conflict Resolution and Peace Building to enhance their peace advocacy skills, conflict mitigation, response and resolution.
Purpose of Consultancy
FIDA Nigeria is seeking to engage a consultant to develop a training manual on the Roles of Women in Conflict Resolution and Peace Building which will be used for the purposes of promoting the inclusion/participation of Women in Peace Building and Conflict mitigation across focal communities in Plateau State, Nigeria.
This manual will be used to build the capacities of community women leaders through highlighting the importance of verifying escalated security alerts and crisis response mechanisms in target communities.
Duties and Responsibilities
The successful candidate will be tasked to develop a comprehensive manual on the roles of women which shall cover but not limited to the following components/modules: Introduction to Gender and Peacebuilding, roles of women in peacebuilding, Gender Analysis of Conflict and Violence, Skills for Women in Conflict Mitigation and Peacebuilding amongst others as directed by the FIDA project team.
Review and Validation of the Training Manual
In collaboration with the Project Team, the Programme Manager shall review and validate all contents of the training manual. A proposed training manual outline and method for teaching each topic/chapter shall be submitted to fidanigeria@yahoo.com.
The training materials developed must be delivered to the National Programme Manager on a date not later than the deadline for submission via email at fidanigeria@yahoo.com.
Requirements
The applicant should be a national or international educational, research, think-tank, or any relevant organization with the expertise and reputation for developing training manuals in peacebuilding and conflict resolution.
Duration
The assignment is for a period of five weeks from the date of signing the contract.
Fees
The fees for this assignment is subject to negotiation with the selected individual.
How to apply
Qualified candidates should send curriculum vitae and cover letter detailing relevant experiences to the address to the Country Vice-President/National President to hr@fida.org.ng or fidanigeria@yahoo.com
The subject of e-mail should be “Application for Consultancy to develop a training Manual”
Deadline: Applications should be submitted on or before 30th August 2022.