by FIDAInternational Women’s Day 2022 Theme: “Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow”
Envision a nation where everyone is carried along, given equal opportunities, rights and benefits, a nation where everyone is opportune, without discrimination, to play any key roles they desire based on their strengths and merit.
Ruth Bader Ginsburg once said, Women belong in all places where decisions are being made. It shouldn’t be that women are the exception.
When women are empowered as decision-makers and leaders, the people and nation benefit.
Thus, there is the strong need to have more allocation of spaces and opportunities for women’s inclusion, in order to bring better attention to germaine issues that uniquely affect them, and to by so doing, change the negative attitudes towards gender-based issues.
Currently, women occupy just about four percent of all the national assembly seats — eight of the 109 seats at the senate and 11 of the 360 seats at the house. This disparity is acknowledged and unpardonable, so we continue the struggle to create gender equality among the citizens in governance.
In addition, due to the negative socio-economic impact of climate change and its impact on livelihood women and girls are burden bearers and suffer the most.
As the world marks the International Women’s Day 2022, with the theme “Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow”, FIDA Nigeria recognizing the important contribution of women and girls around the world, who are leading the charge on climate change adaptation, politics, mitigation, and the response to building a more sustainable future for all, commends the efforts made so far and calls for more progressive efforts in Nigeria.
We emphatically state that effective participation of women in decision- making and the empowerment of women must be priority for all if gender equality must be achieved.
Consequently, FIDA canvasses a need for total inclusiveness and equal access at all levels to all key things of importance in life such as education, health, work opportunities for women. We shout out the need to come together to break all cultural, traditional and religious bias against women’s inclusiveness so to enable full women’s participation.
To commemorate the IWD 2022, FIDA Nigeria will amongst other things, be hosting a webinar to discuss:
Gender Equality, where we are and a sustainable tomorrow.
FIDA Nigeria commends the recent recommendation by the Joint Senate and House Committees on Constitution Review to create additional Seats for Women at National & State Houses of Assembly, Urges Sustained Action by Civil Society Groups on Its Ratification & Assent into Law.
FIDA will continue to work to support credible, hardworking, meritorious women to break the glass ceiling in their respective spheres of operation.
We call for a greater gender balance, all round, at all levels and in all its ramifications, as we assure all of the great benefits that will accrue to our communities and our nation.
Empowered women empower the world
IWD2021
BreakTheBias
Signed:
Mrs. Amina Suzanah Agbaje
Country Vice President/National President
FIDA Nigeria
Christiana Oyanvutu Adejumo
National Publicity Secretary
FIDA Nigeria
by FIDAFIDA Nigeria Demands Equal Representation of Women at All Levels of Governance & Leadership in Nigeria
FIDA Nigeria Demands Equal Representation of Women at All Levels of Governance & Leadership in Nigeria: Enjoins Reconsideration of All Gender Responsive Bills Rejected By The Senate.
The International Federation of Women Lawyers has strongly demonstrated support for legislative frameworks that supports the rights & attainment of women into leadership positions & other affirmative aspirations. This has been evidenced through her well-known participation at the public hearing forums organized by Joint National Assembly Constitution review committee in the six geo-political zones. FIDA Nigeria’s position through her memorandum was on gender affirmative actions and creation of special seats for women at both the National & States Houses of Assembly. We had gone further to eulogise the Joint Committee for taking into consideration our memorandum, upon which the various gender-responsive bills were submitted to both the Senate & Federal Houses of Representatives for ratification.
Despite this giant stride towards promoting gender inclusivity in leadership which we had recorded, we were dismayed on the 1st of March 2022, a date which will always be remembered in our nascent democracy, when most members of the Nigeria Senate at the Senate Chambers voted against the following Gender-responsive Bills submitted for its consideration:
a) Bill No 35. A bill for an act to provide special seats for women in National & State House of Assembly
b) Bill No 37, A bill for an act to provide for affirmative action in political party administration
c) Bill No 36, A bill for an act to expand the scope of citizenship by registration
d) Bill No 38, A bill for an act to provide criteria for qualification to become an indigene of a state in Nigeria.
Based on the majority votes from these members, these gender responsive bills whose beneficiaries are mainly women were rejected. The implication of this rejection indicates there is no proportional representation for women at the parliament, women are denied 35% affirmative action in party administration & leadership positions, denial of affirmative action of women into appointed positions , denial of indigene ship by women of their husband’s state after 5 years of being together, denial of citizenship to the foreign-born husband of a Nigerian women amongst others, which has made the struggle for an egalitarian society most inevitable.
a) We urge all like-minded civil society organisations, women led organisations & women’s right’s organizations to sustain advocacy and intensify demands for Gender equality and opportunities by occupying the National Assembly until the rejected bills are considered
b) We call on the Nigeria Senate to as a matter of urgency reconsider consideration of these gender responsive bills
We hope that these sustained advocacy measures will enable the National Assembly in general & the Senate in particular to retract from these patriarchal dispositions towards giving women equal opportunities through reconsideration of these bills even as we commemorate the International Women’s Day on 8th March 2022.
God Bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Amina Suzana Agbaje(Mrs)
Country Vice President/National President
FIDA Nigeria
by FIDAFIDA Rejects Senate’s Vote on Gender Responsive Bills
Ruth Bader Ginsburg once said, Women belong in all places where decisions are being made. It shouldn’t be that women are the exception.
FIDA rejects Senate’s vote on gender-responsive bills, demands equal representation by inclusion of women at all levels of governance. Calls for gender equality and opportunities
#breakthebias #BreakPoliticalBias #BreakConstitutionBias #NigerianWomenMatter
by FIDAFIDA Nigeria Visits the UN House
FIDA Nigeria attended a meeting organized by Ms. Soulef Guessoum, West & Central Africa Regional Advisor Governance & Women’s political participation UN Women at the UN House on 28th February 2022 on measures & collaborative efforts to mitigate violence against women during elections in Nigeria.
Both Organisations resolved to stem electoral violence through systemic approaches in their interventions ahead of the staggered elections in Osun & Ekiti State and the general elections in 2023. FIDA was duly represented by her Country Vice /National President: Amina Suzana Agbaje who was accompanied by National Ex-Officio, Rhoda P. Tyoden and Programme Manager, Fikih Obaro.
by FIDAFIDA Nigeria Pays Courtesy Visit to Equal Access to Justice
Earlier today, FIDA Nigeria in a delegation led by the Country Vice/National President Amina Suzanah Agbaje (Mrs.) paid a courtesy visit to Equal Access International for possible partnership/collaboration.
by FIDAFIDA Nigeria Appoints Mr. Fikih Obaro, As Program Manager
The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Nigeria has appointed Mr. Fikih Obaro as its National Programme Manager. He will assume duty on the 14th of February and will come into the role with over a decade of experience across the Development and Corporate sectors.
“Prior to FIDA Nigeria, Mr. Fikih Obaro worked with CLEEN Foundation where he spearheaded several projects with quantifiable results. He was the Project Coordinator & Lead, Anti-Human Trafficking on Monitoring the implementation of the tripartite Agreement Between the United States of America, Baliwick of Jersey, and the Federal Government of Nigeria on the Disposition & Repatriation of $311million dollars currently utilized at three infrastructural locations in Nigeria. He managed the UNWomen supported project titled “Prevention of Human Trafficking and Forced Migration on Women & Girls in Lagos & Edo States of Nigeria”
“He led the campaign for the implementation of a missing persons register in Nigeria under a transnational Justice Project supported by the University of Los Angeles, United States of America, America Academy for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) & the University of Toronto, Canada where he served as a Research Assistant amongst other interventions.
As Program Manager, He will energetically & resourcefully lead our interventions in line with the mission, vision and strategic goals of our organization
FIDA Nigeria was established in 1964 with its main objectives are to establish friendly international relations on a basis of equality and mutual respect for all peoples, preserve the rights and welfare of women and children, realizing that the happiness of the home and the strength of the society is dependent on their wellbeing and proffer advice to Government in all cases of disregard relating to women and children.
God Bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria
Amina Agbaje(Mrs)
Country Vice President
by FIDAFIDA (Nig) Warri, Delta Branch commemorates the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation.
As part of activities marking the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation, FIDA Warri led by her Chairperson, Megbele Ogechi Jessica organized a one-day sensitization/town hall meeting, on the 6th February 2022 at Ekiugo Community of Ughelli South Local Govt Area.
The Zonal Coordinator of Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria, Delta State, Dr. Helen Agbadagri the myths, risk and effects of Female Mutilation.
The Zonal Director of Ministry of Justice, Warri, Zino Aikpokpo- Martins sensitized the women on the legal implications of such traditional practices.
It was an interactive and interesting session, and the community women were glad to receive FIDA.
by FIDANO TO FGM: FIDA LAGOS PAYS SPECIAL VISIT TO MONARCH TO MARK UN DAY
As part of its activities to celebrate the United Nations International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation on the 6th of February 2022, the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Nigeria, Lagos State Branch paid a courtesy visit to His Royal Majesty, Oba (Alhaji) Kabiru Kolawole Alani Adelaja Agbabiaka, the Osolo of Isolo in Lagos State.
Led by its Chairperson, Mrs. Chinwe Efobi, the FIDA Lagos team informed the monarch that the purpose of the visit was to sensitise the Kaabiyesi and his Royal Council members on the forthcoming Town Hall meeting to mark this special day.
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is a traditional practice that is widespread in many Nigerian and African communities and has led to the death and disability of many of its victims.
by FIDAFIDA Lagos Commemorates International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation
FIDA Nigeria, Lagos State branch held her Townhall meeting which was a follow-up on the Advocacy/ Courtesy visit to the palace of Osolo of Isolo on Wednesday, 2nd of February 2022.
The town hall meeting was to mark the International Day of Zero tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) with the theme “Accelerating investment to end female genital mutilation ”
The Chairperson, Mrs Chinwe Efobi gave a brief introduction of the significance of the day. The meeting was well attended. The Osolo of Isolo and his chiefs – in – council, iyalojas and representatives of different markets, the Youths, NURTW, palace guards etc. were all present.
A paper presentation on this year’s theme by Fidan Ifeyinwa Okpalaku and interpreted in Yoruba language by Ruth Akinwande to the participants. The Oba also spoke in Yoruba language on the harmful effects of the barbaric and harmful traditional practice and admonished his subjects to desist from such practices and also encouraged them to speak out when such is going on.
Fliers were shared to disseminate more information on the purpose of the town hall meeting. It was an interactive, impactful and successful meeting with many members of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Lagos State Branch present.
