by FIDAZERO TOLERANCE FOR FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION
FIDA Nigeria joins the rest of the world to mark International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation with the theme: “Unleashing Youth Power: One Decade of Accelerating Actions for Zero Female Genital Mutilation.”
Female Genital Mutilation has a long standing physical and mental effect on the persons subjected to it.
The practice violates a person’s right to health, security and physical integrity, the right to be free from torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, and the right to life when the procedure results in death
Nigeria as a member of the United Nations has ratified many UN Human Rights Conventions and thus has made binding international commitments to adhere to the standards laid down in these universal human rights documents. Hence, Nigeria is bound by Article 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which states that “everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for health and well-being”.
In addition, Section 34(1) of the 1999 Constitution as amended, provides that “every Nigerian individual is entitled to respect for the dignity of his person and accordingly (a) No person shall be subjected to torture or to inhuman or degrading treatment”.
Furthermore, Section 11 of the Child Rights Act (2003) also protects the right to the dignity of the child while Section 6 of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act 2015, expressly prohibits female circumcision or genital mutilation.
There is no gainsaying that there are a plethora of statutes and laws in Nigeria that prohibit this harmful practice.
However, the issue that confronts us is the implementation of these laws. Laws are made to tackle and eliminate crime, but when not implemented, they become paper tigers. The Girl child and indeed women are major victims of this act often running away and seeking asylum
We as a people also need to realize that though the government owes us a responsibility to protect our rights, we also need to ensure we take action to safeguard these same rights. The perpetrators of this heinous crime are living amongst us. Young women and girls have suffered seriously as a result of this crime, it is time we all stand up against these practices. Men have lost their mothers, wives, sisters and daughters to this harmful practice that many believe is a custom that must be upheld. NO tradition should be practiced to the detriment of our lives and loved ones.
As human beings, we have the right to choose what happens to our bodies, we have the right to abolish harmful traditional practices and to celebrate the noble and harmless ones. Lives can be preserved if we all including the young ones take a stand to make a difference. We can achieve all things if we act in unison and speak with one voice.
FIDA Nigeria as an organization that protects and promotes the rights of women in Nigeria in line with the theme calls the youths to action. The future we wish to see, starts today. The youth must take a stand and challenge the “norm” in their respective cultures. No more lives should be lost on account of our blind allegiance to a dreadful tradition.
FIDA Nigeria also calls on the government to implement the laws that have been enacted to prohibit Female Genital Mutilation in Nigeria. Having taken the first step in abolishing the practice, government can and should take further steps to arrest and prosecute the perpetrators of this crime so it serves as a deterrent to others.
FIDA Nigeria will continue to do all within her mandate to fight against Female Genital Mutilation and work to ensure that women and children can live in a society free from this menace. We believe that every human life matters, and must be treated with respect and dignity.
FIDA NIGERIA stands against Female Genital Mutilation, let’s put an end to it.
#YouthsEndFGM
#EndFGM
Rhoda Prevail Tyoden
Country Vice President/National President
FIDA Nigeria
Eliana Martins
National publicity secretary
FIDA Nigeria
by FIDAAdvert for the Recruitment of Finance Officer
FIDA Nigeria invites job applications for a Finance Officer position at the National Secretariat. The deadline for submission is Thursday, 23 January, 2020. All applications should be submitted to fidanigeria@yahoo.com. Other details are in the attached terms of reference. TERMS OF REFERENCE>>
by FIDACall for Consultancy Applications
FIDA Nigeria invites applications for a consultancy to develop a training manual on land use and rights for training the Association of Small Scale Women Farmers Organisation in Nigeria (SWOFON) in implementation of our Action Aid-funded Women, Voice and Leadership project.
Applications are due on 29 January, 2020 and should be submitted to fidanigeria@yahoo.com. Other details are in the attached terms of reference. TERMS OF REFERENCE>>
by FIDAFIDA NIGERIA COMMENCES THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE WOMEN’S VOICE AND LEADERSHIP NIGERIA PROJECT
As part of efforts to promote and protect the rights of Women and Girls in Nigeria, FIDA Nigeria, with funding from @ActionAidNigeria through the Women’s Voice and Leadership Nigeria Project, announces the commencement of a 5-year Project in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja with focus on capacity building of networks, groups, associations and movements of women’s organization to create cultural, political and legislative change with a view to achieving increased effectiveness of sub-national, national and platform, networks and alliances to affect policy, legal and social change in Nigeria. This project is fully supported by Global Affairs Canada.@CanHCNigeria
by FIDAFIDA KANO CELEBRATED THE 16 DAYS OF ACTIVISM
FIDA Kano in conjunction with Isa Wali empowerment celebrated the 16 days of activism 2019 by visiting four remote villages each in the local governments of Rano, Warawa, Dawakin tofa, and Bichi. They were educated on Persons with Disability Law, Human Rights, Children and Young Person’s Law and also Rape (preventive measures and steps to take after occurrence). More than ten thousand hijabs and caps were distributed and also more than twenty thousand flyers and stickers.
by FIDAFIDA Plateau visits Jos Correctional Center
On the 6th of December 2019, FIDA Plateau in furtherance with the 16 days of activism, visited the Jos Correctional Center. Before the visit, an assessment was carried out on the pressing needs, which included drugs for those going through psychological trauma.
While in the center, a legal clinic was held for some of the inmates. Also presentations of items such as toiletries, panties, detergents, baby things for expectant mothers etc.
by FIDASensitization walk to the State CID and Kogi State house of assembly
FIDA Kogi in collaboration with the National Association of Female Journalist (NAWOJ), engaged in a sensitization walk to the State CID and Kogi State house of assembly in furtherance of the 16 days of activism. The Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Bill was presented at the floor of the house for the first time.
#16days
#SayNoToGbv
by FIDACondemning the non-confirmation of the current Acting Chief Judge of Gombe State as Chief Judge
FIDA Nigeria unites with other groups and strongly condemn the non-confirmation of the Acting Chief Judge of Gombe State, the Hon. Justice Beatrice Lazarus Iliya, as the Chief Judge of Gombe State, having completed her statutory three months period as Acting Chief Judge.
Hon. Justice Beatrice Lazarus Iliya, a noble lady is not due for retirement for another three years minimum period; and has served diligently.
We therefore strongly object to the planned swearing in of a junior male judge as Chief Judge in her place for whatever reason.
FIDA Nigeria views the act of swearing in a male judge who is junior to other female judges as the substantive Chief Judge as act of gender discrimination!!
This is more painful as the UN 16 days activism against Gender Based Violence and Human Rights Violations is ongoing.
We therefore call on His Excellency, the Governor of Gombe State to do the right thing in compliance with the Law by swearing in the most senior Judge who has been effectively acting. This is the only action that can prove that His Excellency is not gender biased and upholds justice.
FIDA Nigeria stands against all forms of discrimination and injustice.
Rhoda Prevail Tyoden
Country Vice President/National President
Eliana Martins
National Publicity Secretary
by FIDAFIDA Nigeria Edo State Branch Visits Benson Idahosa University Okada
FIDA Nigeria Edo State Branch in commemoration of the 16 days of Activism against Gender Based Violence organised a Sensitisation Seminar with Students of Benson Idahosa University Okada on the 28th November 2019.
The Seminar was a huge success as there was a robust interactive session with the academic staff, students and FIDA members.
Also in the early hours of the day, FIDA Edo had a sensitisation with the police about their duties of protecting a Rape Victim to get justice.
by FIDAFIDA Plateau Match Against Child Labor And Street Hawking
FIDA Plateau in collaboration with the Nigeria Association of Women Journalist (NAWOJ), went out on the streets today to campaign against Child labor and street hawking which are subtle ways of luring girls for rape purposes. In the course of the walk,children especially the girls were interviewed and flyers distributed in condemnation of CHILD labour.
#16DaysOfActivism
#EndRapeCulture
#OrangeTheWorld
