by adminFIDA Lagos Marks International Day of The Girl Child 2022.
The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Nigeria, Lagos Branch joined the rest of the world to amplify the awareness of the rights of the girl child.
The 11th day of October every year is set aside to commemorate the anniversary of the International Day of the Girl Child. This year marks the tenth anniversary with the theme Our time is now—our rights, our future.
FIDA Lagos notes that this is the beginning of yet another era and now is the time to work harder and smarter by engaging the right stakeholders and policymakers to not only accept but to also encourage these rights to be implemented, to work in line with appropriate governmental and non-governmental agencies in the enforceability of the rights of the girl child.
The future we all want is now, we want to see a society where a child especially the girl child can thrive and blossom to achieve her talents and potentials without any form of social, religious, cultural subjugation, also where opportunities are the same and equal to all and all basic human rights are upheld.
FIDA Lagos calls on all stakeholders to rise up and champion this course to the actualization that every Nigerian girl child is free from deep-rooted gender-based issues which have been in existence for decades such as gender-based discrimination and oppression, harmful cultural practices, poor or no education, sexual abuses and exploitation, child marriages, poor learning opportunities, etc.
In line with the celebration of the International Day of the Girl Child today, FIDA Lagos team led by the Chairperson, Mrs. Chinwe Efobi visited two schools namely, Marywood Girls College Ebute-Metta West Lagos and Methodist Girls High School, Murtala Mohammed Way, Yaba Lagos to speak to the girls on how to safeguard themselves from all forms of abuses and how to pursue their rights as girls and report cases of abuses to the appropriate authorities.
The speakers were very eloquent and the team from NAPTIP also spoke to the students on trafficking and the dangers associated with it and how to safeguard themselves from being trafficked and the need to report any suspected incident of trafficking to the appropriate quarters. The sessions were very interactive. Snacks and drinks were distributed to the students and plaques were given to the Speakers at the end of the ceremonies in the two different locations.
Also in attendance were a great number of Fidans and the guest speakers were Dr Stella Nduka, Rita Amuchienwa, Mrs Amaka Ndulue and Mr Frederick Okoh Uche from (NAPTIP) who represented the NAPTIP Lagos Commander and Dr Rosemary Danesi, Titilola Akinlawon (SAN)
It was a huge success.
by adminFIDA Ogun Marks Day of the Girl Child 2022
FIDA Ogun State Branch celebrated the International Day of the Girl Child on the 11th of October,2022 at Our Lady of Apostles Secondary School Ijebu Ode with students from different schools.
The Theme of the event was OUR TIME IS NOW: OUR RIGHTS, OUR FUTURE! The keynote speaker was Honourable Justice E.O.Osinuga, FIDA Ogun Branch pioneer Chairperson. The main Lecture was delivered by Dr. (Mrs.) Adeejat Kubra Kolawole a lecturer at the Olabisi Onabanjo University also a member of the Association.
There were other speakers at the event. The girls participated actively in all the sessions including the question and answer session which afforded them the opportunity to air their views. The girls got FIDA-branded goodie bags containing useful items.
by adminInternational Day of the Girl-Child 2022 “Our Time is Now-Our Rights, Our Future”
In commemorating this year’s UN Day of the Girl-Child, FIDA Nigeria aligns with the assertion of the UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, who posited as follows:
“We need to uphold the equal rights, voices and influence of girls in our families, communities and nations. Girls can be powerful agents of change, and nothing should keep them from participating fully in all areas of life.”
To be born a girl-child in most parts of the world comes with its own disadvantages and difficulties which are increasingly faced by females in a world that is progressively biased towards the rights and future of the girl-child. This holds true particularly as it relates to the opportunities available to the girl-child, who appears to have the deck stacked against her and fewer chances to excel. One glaring constraint is the lack of access to affordable, inclusive, and qualitative education which is a basic right.
There has been increased attention and focus on issues that affect the girl-child, yet sadly this does not in reality translate to investments in the wellbeing and actualization of the rights of the girl-child, with women continually being victims of discrimination and under-represented in all spheres of the society, further made worse by the gradual increase in humanitarian crises around the world of which the female child is at worst risk.
In Nigeria alone, the issues of early marriage, sexual and gender-based violence, lack of educational opportunities, lack of funding, child-labor, trafficking, early pregnancy, poverty, illiteracy, harmful gender stereotypes, male gender preferences, insecurity, disabilities, discriminatory laws, ingrained socio-cultural and religious beliefs, economic and political discrimination, are some of the challenges faced by the girl-child, which are further exacerbated by patriarchy, making the girlchild truly “endangered” in all ramifications.
Closely related to the above is the issue of gender inequality and gender discrimination, which are huge social problems facing women all over the world, and a barrier to human development.
Despite the myriad challenges which have lifelong consequences for the girl-child and the society at large, the resourcefulness and resilience of the girl-child is unmatched, proving time and time again that given the right conditions, opportunities, impetus, the girl-child is a change-driver, changing the narrative towards a better world.
It is without doubt a truism that, when you train a woman you train a nation! Rapid Socio-economic development of a society has been observed to depend on the caliber of women and their education. Education being the cornerstone of all development and the starting point for success, bestows the disposition for the acquisition of knowledge, competence and skills. It increases one’s involvement and participation in the political space while contributing effectively to societal growth and governance.
The importance of girl-child education cannot be over-emphasized as every child deserves to be educated irrespective of gender, religion or disability being a basic human right as recognized by the 1948 adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
It is time to further galvanize, spur and engage stakeholders all over the world; government officials, policymakers, other change drivers, to deeply amplify our voices toward providing a fertile, conducive and safe environment devoid of discrimination and filled with opportunities for the girl-child to thrive effectively and achieve her fullest potential.
FIDA Nigeria in addition to the above, also calls for the adoption of non -policy measures i.e change in attitude and perception about gender roles, public enlightenment and sensitization on implication and ills of gender stereotyping and discriminatory practices.
Let us join hands to ensure that the girl-child thrives as she sets to fulfill her potential and take on the world given the right boost, enabling environment, and the platform to make that change. Indeed, our time is Now! Our rights, Our Future!
#FIDANigeria #IntlDayoftheGirlChild2022 #OurTimeisNow #OurRightsOurFuture #GirlChild #womensrightsarehumanrights #genderparity
Truly Yours,
Amina Suzanah Agbaje, Mrs.
Country Vice President/CVP
FIDA Nigeria
by adminFIDA Nigeria Capacity-Building Workshops on Monitoring, Evaluation, Documentation, and Learning Approaches on SGBV & CEFM
FIDA Nigeria with support from SCALE on the 19th of September 2022, held a 3-day capacity-building workshop on monitoring, evaluation, documentation, and learning approaches on SGBV & CEFM Prevention and Response in Nigeria for civil society organizations in Southern and Northern Nigeria. Thirty-six (36) beneficiaries drawn from civil society organizations (inclusive of SCALE advocacy clusters) attended the workshops.
The workshop was organized with the intention of developing monitoring and evaluation frameworks, enhancing advocacy and communication skills for improved learning for participating organizations across the project states.
It is expected that following the enhanced capacities from the workshops, civil society organizations would be better equipped to document their successes, track progress in their various interventions at the state and local level as well scale up their capacities towards improved adoption of monitoring and evaluation strategies for development interventions through an M&E strategic framework towards an improved documentation process amongst other things.
by adminFIDA Holds DFATD Supported Project Inception Meeting
FIDA Nigeria, Plateau State Branch with the support of the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development, Canada (“DFATD'”), following the flag off of the project on Promoting the Inclusion of Women in Peace Building and Conflict Mitigation Across Communities in Plateau State held an inception meeting.
The meeting which was held on the 4th and 6th of September in Kwok Community, Barkin Ladi LGA and Ta-Hoss Community, Riyom LGA of the state availed stakeholders an opportunity to discuss the prevalence of conflict across the respective communities.
FIDA Nigeria was further able to obtain stakeholders commitment and buy-in on the objectives and goals of the project at the meeting
by adminCall For Expression of Interest
Call For Expression of Interest to Develop a Training Manual For Election Observers Groups, Young Women Groups On Policy Influencing & Campaigning, Monitoring, Documentation & Reportage Of Violence Against Women During Elections.
Introduction
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.
Background
Women constitute a powerful electorate with millions of votes. According to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Nigerian women signaled their intention to make their voices heard in the 2019 election, accounting for about 47.14 per cent (39,598,645 million) of the 84,004.084 million registered voters nationwide. In 2015, three million, six hundred and sixty-seven thousand, and seventy-six (3,667,076) housewives voted in the presidential election, placing next to students (4,480,708) and civil servants (4,628,433). Similarly, housewives rank third on the list of registered voters by group in the 2019 election. They represented 14.10 per cent of the total registered voters by group, next to farmers/fishers (16.23 per cent) and students (26.57 per cent). This figure does not include the millions of women across the various other groups
However, inspite of this progress recorded, Women’s participation in the elective positions has been minimal and has multi-dimensional implications for the democratic project in Nigeria and for the continuing quest for gender equality in Africa’s biggest economy. The 2019 elections was the sixth consecutive general elections since the beginning of the fourth republic in 1999. This marks what is undoubtedly a measure of democratic progress, if only for conducting periodic elections since the return to civil rule. What remains deeply in doubt, however, is how inclusive this progress has been and, in particular, to what extent women have benefited from the democratic dividend of equality and fairness. With gender issues and women’s political and economic empowerment taking center stage on the global arena, Nigeria appears intent on maintaining its position at the bottom of the ladder of women’s political empowerment. Recent data indicates that women’s rates of participation in formal decision making remain one of the lowest on the continent and across the world with women occupying an abysmal 5.6 per cent (86 out of 1534) of all elective positions at both the national and subnational levels.
The lack of inclusive participation of women and youth in the political affairs and governance is alarming. Women and youths who constitute a critical population are aloof or less involved in politics and governance. They are not also proactively demanding for accountability from the government and governmental actors. Participation of the majority of the youths and women in politics and electioneering takes the form of vote buying & selling during elections. The monetization of the electoral process makes it very expensive and difficult for credible persons in the communities, particularly women & youths to aspire for political party offices and general elective positions.
Essential to women participation is the eradication of political violence, in other words, it is of paramount importance to condense political violence before and after elections so that women can fully participate in elections[1]. In the same degree The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA) states that, elections have triggered outbreaks of violence in which women and girls were victimized. In others instances violence against women has been a tool of political harassment and intimidation of female election candidates. In addition, female voters continue to be disproportionately affected by various forms of election-related violence or threats of violence which has the effect of keeping them away from the polling stations more than male voters.
Purpose of Consultancy
As the countdown to 2023 General Elections emerges, The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Nigeria with support from UNWomen will implement her intervention tilted improving women participation in Nigeria across four focal states namely Kwara (North Central), Borno (North East), Plateau (North Central) and Kaduna (North West). The project aims to mitigate violence against women in elections through collaborative and systemic approach with Stakeholders such as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Nigeria Police Force, Security agencies, the Electoral institute and other credible organization. We will through our various interventionist approaches aim at improving the participation of women at the general elections by strengthening the capacity of selected networks, institutions, electoral bodies, and oversight mechanisms to better prevent and respond to VAWP, SGBV and other forms of VAW” that may deter female electorates towards exercising their franchise at the polls across the four project states of, Borno, Kwara, Kaduna, Plateau States. Based on the above, FIDA Nigeria is seeking to engage a consultant to develop a training manual on policy influencing, campaigning, Monitoring, Documentation & Reportage of incidences of violence against women.
Duties and Responsibilities
The successful candidate will be tasked to develop a comprehensive manual with thefollowing tepical sessions: Policy Influencing, Building Strategic Advocacy/colloborations, Introduction/Purpose of observation, reporting and documentation of election violence against women Session, Method of observation, reporting and documentation of election violence against women (Pre, During and After the Elections), Code of Conduct and Guidelines for election observers of violence against women, checklist for Election Observers Of violence against Women Covering three segments of the Elections (Poll Opening, Simultaneous Accreditation and Voting, Result Collation/Announcement and developing a strong domestic election observers, reporters and documenters of election violence against women.
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 on fidanigeria@yahoo.com.
Requirements
The applicant should be a national or international
educational, research, think-tank, NGO or any relevant organization with the
expertise and reputation of developing training manuals in peace building 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 addressed to the Country Vice-President/National President to hr@fida.org.ng or fidanigeria@yahoo.com
Subject of e-mail should be “Application for Consultancy to develop a training Manual”
Deadline: Applications should be submitted on or
before 10th October 2022.
[1] Sibonokuhle Ndlovu, Sani Boniface Mutale, ‘Emerging Trends in Women’s Participation in Politics in Africa’ American International Journal of Contemporary Research Vol. 3 No. 11; November 2013. P.72-79
by adminFIDA Nigeria Invites Application for a Consultant
Call For Expression of Interest to Develop A Training Manual For Law Enforcement Agencies On Prevention And Response To Violence Against Women During Elections, Gender And Disability Protection Approach In Policing Elections.
Introduction
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.
Background
Women constitute a powerful electorate with millions of votes. According to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Nigerian women signaled their intention to make their voices heard in the 2019 election, accounting for about 47.14 per cent (39,598,645 million) of the 84,004.084 million registered voters nationwide. In 2015, three million, six hundred and sixty-seven thousand, and seventy-six (3,667,076) housewives voted in the presidential election, placing next to students (4,480,708) and civil servants (4,628,433). Similarly, housewives rank third on the list of registered voters by group in the 2019 election. They represented 14.10 per cent of the total registered voters by group, next to farmers/fishers (16.23 per cent) and students (26.57 per cent). This figure does not include the millions of women across the various other groups
However, inspite of this progress recorded, Women’s participation in the elective positions has been minimal and has multi-dimensional implications for the democratic project in Nigeria and for the continuing quest for gender equality in Africa’s biggest economy. The 2019 elections was the sixth consecutive general elections since the beginning of the fourth republic in 1999. This marks what is undoubtedly a measure of democratic progress, if only for conducting periodic elections since the return to civil rule. What remains deeply in doubt, however, is how inclusive this progress has been and, in particular, to what extent women have benefited from the democratic dividend of equality and fairness. With gender issues and women’s political and economic empowerment taking center stage on the global arena, Nigeria appears intent on maintaining its position at the bottom of the ladder of women’s political empowerment. Recent data indicates that women’s rates of participation in formal decision making remain one of the lowest on the continent and across the world with women occupying an abysmal 5.6 per cent (86 out of 1534) of all elective positions at both the national and subnational levels.
The lack of inclusive participation of women and youth in the political affairs and governance is alarming. Women and youths who constitute a critical population are aloof or less involved in politics and governance. They are not also proactively demanding for accountability from the government and governmental actors. Participation of the majority of the youths and women in politics and electioneering takes the form of vote buying & selling during elections. The monetization of the electoral process makes it very expensive and difficult for credible persons in the communities, particularly women & youths to aspire for political party offices and general elective positions.
Essential to women participation is the eradication of political violence, in other words, it is of paramount importance to condense political violence before and after elections so that women can fully participate in elections . In the same degree The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA) states that, elections have triggered outbreaks of violence in which women and girls were victimized. In others instances violence against women has been a tool of political harassment and intimidation of female election candidates. In addition, female voters continue to be disproportionately affected by various forms of election-related violence or threats of violence which has the effect of keeping them away from the polling stations more than male voters.
Purpose of Consultancy
As the countdown to 2023 General Elections emerges, The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Nigeria with support from UNWomen will implement her intervention tilted toward improving women’s participation in Nigeria across four focal states namely Kwara (North Central), Borno (North East), Plateau (North Central) and Kaduna (North West). The project aims to mitigate violence against women in elections through a collaborative and systemic approach with Stakeholders such as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Nigeria Police Force, Security agencies, the Electoral institute and other credible organizations.
We will through our various interventionist approaches aim at improving the participation of women at the general elections by strengthening the capacity of selected networks, institutions, electoral bodies, and oversight mechanisms to better prevent and respond to VAWP, SGBV and other forms of VAW” that may deter female electorates towards exercising their franchise at the polls across the four project states of, Borno, Kwara, Kaduna, Plateau States. Based on the above, FIDA Nigeria is seeking to engage a consultant to develop a training manual on prevention and response to violence against women during elections, and gender and disability protection approach in policing elections for Law Enforcement Agencies.
Duties and Responsibilities
The successful candidate will be tasked to develop a comprehensive manual with the following tepical sessions: Introduction to VAWE (Violence against Women in Elections),Mapping and measuring VAWE—(Violence against Women in Elections),Violence against VAWE, Legal and Policy reform to prevent and respond to VAWE, Integrating VAWE into Election Observation/Violence, Monitoring, Preventing and Mitigating VAWE through electoral arrangements and disability &Social inclusivity in election security management
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 on fidanigeria@yahoo.com.
Requirements
The applicant should be a national or international educational, research, think-tank, NGO or any relevant organization with the expertise and reputation of developing training manuals in peace building 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 addressed to the Country Vice-President/National President to hr@fida.org.ng or fidanigeria@yahoo.com
Subject of e-mail should be “Application for Consultancy to develop a training Manual”
Deadline: Applications should be submitted on or before 10th October 2022.
by adminCapacity Enhancement Training For Legal Officers Of The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Abuja
On the 27th of September FIDA Abuja graced the opening ceremony of the Training Program for Legal Officers of the National Youth Service Corps with the theme “THE ROLE OF LEGAL OFFICERS IN DELIVERING QUALITY LEGAL SERVICE IN NIGERIA”.
The training organized by the National Youth Service Corps was put together to ensure legal officers of the NYSC have appropriate education and training on the ideals and ethical duties of lawyers with focus on the provisions of the National Youth Service Corps Act 2004 and its accompanying Bye-Laws of 1993.
The branch was duly represented by the Chairperson, Chibuzo M. Nwosu and the Publicity Secretary, Olosen Victoria Ibiezugbe. Also present at the opening ceremony were the Representative of the Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps, Mrs C.I Ubah; the Director Legal NYSC, Barr. Ahmed Tijani Ibrahim, Representative of the Justice of the Court of Appeal, Mrs Josphine Ekperobe among many others.
As the guest speaker, the Chairperson in a goodwill message urged legal officers to arm themselves with the profession’s right knowledge, skill and ethics. She further noted the timely invitation as FIDA anticipates a synergy with the National Youth Service Corps by training and integrating corps members as paralegals of the Association and in the administration of justice.
by adminFIDA Imo Commemorates the International Day of Peace
On the 21st day of September 2022, FIDA Imo, in collaboration with Imo Women for Peace and Good Governance Initiative, marked the UN International Day of Peace.
A peace walk was embarked on around the city’s metropolis with massive advocacy spearheaded by FIDA IMO. The high point was releasing a bird, the symbol of Peace.
by adminFIDA Abuja Outreach To Jahi 1 Community
FIDA Abuja branch led by the Chairperson, Miss Chibuzo M. Nwosu, on the 8th of September 2022, carried out an outreach to the community of Jahi.
Present at the Jahi Chief’s Palace were HRH Alhaji Adamu Dogo, members of his cabinet and paralegals.
While the Chairperson enlightened the teaming community members on relevant provisions of the VAPP Act 2015, relevant questions centered around these provisions were asked and answered assiduously.
At the end of the session, the Palace Chief (Alhaji Adamu Dogo) once again appreciated FIDA for its continuous works and prayed the girls of the Community grow to become lawyers and women of virtue.
In her closing remarks, the Chairperson commended particularly members of the Jahi Community for their willingness to uphold the tenets of the law and ultimately the fight against gender-based violence. The branch donated some bags of grains to the community.
