by FIDAFIDA Africa Regional Congress Opening Ceremony
The formal Opening Ceremony for the FIDA Africa Regional Congress was held on the 13th day of October, 2019.
The Red-Carpet event began at 5pm at the Shehu Musa Yar’adua Center, Wuse, Abuja.
A beautiful warm Welcome Address was given by the FIDA Regional Vice President (North and West), Chief Mrs Victoria Awomolo, SAN.
The Chairperson for the occasion Dame Pauline Tallen, the Hon. Minister for Women Affairs and Social Development, gave an opening remark and an address by the international president was made.
Goodwill messages were received from the following: The First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, her Excellency Aisha Buhari, The Chief Justice of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Hon. Justice, Dr Ibrahim Muhammed, Hon Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami SAN, ably represented by the Solicitor General of the Federation Mr Dayo Apata SAN,
FIDA International President Shadhana Gunaratnam ably represented by the FIDA International Treasurer Charisse Brown, from the Bahamas. Hon. Justice Mary Odili, President of the National Association of Women Judges and the Chairperson of the FIDA Nigeria Board of Trustees, Chief Mrs Tessa Ikimi. After which an inspiring and most motivational poem was presented by Dike Chukwumerije: ‘How Can I Help’.
The keynote paper was presented by Prof Joy Ezeilo on the Theme for the Congress “The Growth of Women and Children in Africa: Beyond Rhetoric”.
The opening ceremony was concluded with a vote of thanks by the Chairperson, planning committee, Mrs Amina Suzanah Agbaje.
by FIDAFIDA Africa Regional Congress Aerobics/Dance Exercise.
On the 12th Day of October 2019, being the day two of the FIDA Regional Congress, it got to a great and hearty start with Aerobics/Dance Exercise.
by FIDAFIDA Africa Regional Congress Skills Acquisition Program
On the 12th day of October 2019, several indigent women sponsored to acquire different skills at the Skills Acquisition program, in different fields such as stoning, pastries, beading, sewing, soap making etc., where in attendance.
An exhibition of the finished products was held at the Center, Following which fifty women were empowered to enable them set up their businesses and hopefully succeed
by FIDAFIDA Nigeria marks the International Day of the Girl Child 2019
FIDA Nigeria joins the rest of the world in marking the International Day of the Girl Child, 2019, with the theme “Girl Force: Unscripted and Unstoppable”. The day aims to highlight and address the needs and challenges girls face, while promoting their empowerment and the fulfillment of their human rights.
We celebrate the strength within our daughters, against all the odds that the Nigerian society stacks against them daily. The girl child is faced with challenges ranging from early marriage to denial of formal education, trafficking, prostitution and female genital mutilation. These ills have crippled the potentials of our female children who are of inestimable value to our society and economy.
According to UNICEF, with the prevalence of female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) among girls and women aged 15-49 years at 27 percent, Nigeria has the third highest absolute number of women and girls (19.9 million) who have undergone FGM/C worldwide. It is more commonly practiced in the south, driven by grandmothers and mothers-in-law who aiming to curb promiscuity as they prepare girls for marriage expose them to this harmful practice.
In addition, a report by Save the Children states that Nigeria has one of the highest child marriage prevalence rate in the world. A 2017 report by UNICEF also states that 43% of Nigerian girls are married off before their 18th birthday, while 17% are married before they turn 15. Childbearing for these child-brides is risky as many of them are not physically ready for either pregnancy or labour. Thus, many of these girls go on to have Vesico-vaginal fistula (VVF) or Recto-vaginal fistula (RVF) or a combination of both.
All the above acts culminate in gender-based violence which FIDA Nigeria stands against. FIDA Nigeria, is an organization with a mandate to enhance, promote, protect and preserve the rights and welfare of women and children.
The VAPP Act is the benchmark legislation for prosecuting gender-based violence in Nigeria and there is therefore the need to ensure its adoption
FIDA Nigeria calls for collective efforts from all – parents, guardians, traditional institutions, religious leaders, faith and community based organizations, civil society organizations, international institutions and their agencies, the Nigerian Human Rights Commission, and all other key stakeholders – to join hands to improve the plight of the Nigerian girl child. To empower them, inequality and gender gaps must be reduced, which will culminate in strong women leaders. Nurturing the girl child is a way of insuring the future against absenteeism of women from the socio-political, cultural and economic spheres of the country.
We urge the Government to ensure the full implementation of the Child’s Rights Act, the Violence against Person’s (Prohibition) Act (VAPP Act), 2015 and all laws that support the full development of the girl child. We demand programmes to support the girl child’s social, intellectual and indeed total development, as a key actor in the sustainable development agenda. We believe that with early education of the girl child on her rights and the diverse opportunities that lie ahead of her, she will become unstoppable and act unscripted.
Let us all join hands to make the Girl Child #UNSTOPPABLE
Rhoda Prevail Tyoden
Country Vice President/National President
Eliana Martins
National Publicity Secretary
by FIDAFIDA Abuja Trains Law Students at BAZE University
FIDA Abuja was at the Faculty of Law, BAZE University On the 27th of September to train law students on Gender based Violence. They were trained by the branch’s remarkable Assistant General Secretary, Ezinwa Obiajunwa, a passionate activist on issues relating to gender equality, children and human rights violations with over 5 years’ experience.
The event captured all the various forms of GBV and achieved the purpose of educating the youth, understanding that they are the future of tomorrow.
FIDA Abuja took up this project in partnership with Oxfam voice project and looks forward to a continuing relationship in sensitizing the Nigerian people on the VAPP Act and other relevant laws in line with the FIDA objectives.
by FIDAMonthly Community Sensitzation By FIDA Rivers
Rumuokrushi Community played Host to FIDA Rivers on Thursday the 26th September 2019.
The delegation led by the Chairperson Pst. Ngozi Ighosevbe.
The program which had over a hundred participants, had the Chaiperson pst Ighosevbe giving an overview of the VAPP Act and Sisters Chidinma Otuka, Kemi Ogunnoiki, Esther Achor- Korienta, Mercy Hirse- Damina further enlightening them on various sections provided in the abridged version of the Act.
by FIDAFIDA Imo Commissions New Secretariat Building
On the 25th of September 2019, FIDA Imo State branch Secretariat building was commissioned by His Excellency the Governor of Imo State Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha ably represented by Nze Meekam Mgbenwelu (Hon Commissioner for Technology Development). Members of the Board of Trustees and the National Executives of FIDA Nigeria were also in attendance.
by FIDAShelter for The Vulnerable
FIDA Nigeria Rivers state branch was hosted by the State’s Deputy Governor Dr. Nrs. Ipalibo Harry Banigo on Monday the 23rd September 2019, to discuss possibilities in ensuring a temporary rehabilitation space for traumatized victims \ survivors of all forms of abuse\violence.
FIDA Rivers sincerely appreciates this great opportunity and kind gesture from our amiable humanitarian Deputy Governor.
by FIDAStatement Condemning the Serial Killing of Young girls in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Nigeria is distressed by the reports circulating about serial killers in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. As an organisation with a mandate to promote, protect and preserve the rights of women and children, we loudly call for the arrest and conviction of the killers as well as for the better protection and enforcement of the rights of the citizenry.
Since July 2019, reports of at least ten women killed using the same distinctive style have been noted. The killers lure young women to nondescript hotels, drugs and sexually assaults them before strangling them to death and then tying them up with a white cloth as a form of ritual. The patterns are obvious, yet, the Nigerian Police Force has failed to apprehend any suspect.
Even more disturbingly, Chuks Enwonwu, the Deputy Commissioner of Police Administration for Rivers state released a statement in which he blamed prostitution as the cause of the killings. FIDA Nigeria seeks to challenge this logic, because there are many reasons for women to go to hotels other than to prostitute. This mind set explains the lax attitude of the Police and it needs to change.
The right to life is a fundamental right of the Nigeria citizenry as outlined in Section 33 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Murder is also a clear contravention of our criminal laws and aside from the defences provided by the law, there is no justification for taking another life. Whether the said victim was immoral or not. We condemn in totality the acts of these serial killers, as well as the response from the Nigerian Police force.
As an organisation that provides free legal representation for indigent women and children, we will do our part to ensure that justice is served for the lost souls, their families and loved ones.
We however call on the Nigerian Police Force to expedite action in their investigation and bring the perpetrator(s) of these dastardly crimes to book.
FIDA Nigeria also calls on the State government to rise up to the occasion and protect the lives of the citizens of the state as enshrined in Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) which clearly provides that “…the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government”. The State Government must therefore promptly rise up to its responsibilities and deploy all necessary machinery to check mate this crime; while instilling confidence in the system and the government. All hotels where these horrible incidents occurred must be sanctioned, steps must be taken to insist on proper security measures in all hotels and recreational facilities in the State.
We insist that more proactive steps must be taken by all concerned to protect the lives of citizens.
#StopTheKillingOfWomeninPH
#RespectTheRightToLife
Signed,
Rhoda Prevail Tyoden
Country Vice President/National President
Eliana Martins
National Publicity Secretary
by FIDAInternational Youth Day 2019
The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Nigeria joins the rest of the world to mark 12 August as the International Youth Day. It is a day designated by the United Nations to celebrate youths all around the world and draw attention to a given set of cultural and legal issues surrounding the youths.
The theme of this year’s International Youth Day is “Transforming Education”. This year’s theme highlights efforts to make education more relevant, equitable and inclusive for all youths, including efforts by youths themselves. Education is indispensable in National development and that is why it is included as Goal 4 of the Sustainable Development Goals which states that nations should “ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all”.
According to the UN, even though primary education is officially free and compulsory, about 10.5 million of the country’s children aged 5-14 years are not in school. Only 61 percent of 6-11 year-olds regularly attend primary school and only 35.6 percent of children aged 36-59 months receive early childhood education. In the north of the country, the picture is even bleaker, with a net attendance rate of 53 percent. Getting out-of-school children back into education poses a massive challenge.
The youth of a Nation is the fulcrum of National Development and they need quality education to prepare for the future and their role in driving the development process. Education is a basic human right and has been recognized as such since the adoption of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights. Access to education is a right for all Nigerian Children regardless of gender, religion and disability.
Gender, like geography and poverty, is an important factor in the pattern of educational marginalization. In Nigeria, states in the north-east and north-west have female primary net attendance rates of 47.7 percent and 47.3 percent, respectively, meaning that more than half of the girls are not in school. The education deprivation in northern Nigeria is driven by various factors, including economic barriers and socio-cultural norms and practices that discourage attendance in formal education, especially for girls.
Some of the major challenges affecting the Educational system in Nigeria includes: poor governance and management, poor infrastructure and training facilities, poor teachers welfare. The girl-child education should also be taken with all seriousness for this can improve the status of the woman and enhance her productivity in a competitive world and thereby live their dreams.
The government should also be concerned about the education of the vulnerable youths in the country, the need to provide access and educational opportunities to the IDPs, provide good learning facilities and environment for those with disabilities and special needs. Scholarships and free education for the indigent youths with no moral support should be one of the major priorities of the government.
The government should be more proactive in the issues affecting education in the country and also invest more in education to eradicate illiteracy, as stated in Chapter 2 Section 18(3a) of the Nigeria Constitution, because uneducated persons are dangerous to the society, provisions of measures to arrest harassments of youths in schools, bad gangs, and also checkmate preying lecturers.
FIDA Nigeria as an organization which protects the rights of women and children (which includes the youths) acknowledges the fact that Nigeria has great human resources, most of which includes the youth. We believe that the full potentials of our youths should be harnessed and they should be incorporated in governance in order to promote national development.
In conclusion, this is a wake-up call for the Federal Government of Nigeria, Ministry of Education, CSOs and other well-meaning Nigerians to join the rest of the world to ensure that our children and youths get quality and free education as stipulated in Goal 4 of the Sustainable Development Goals which is “Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all”.
“Education Is The Most Powerful Weapon Which You Can Use To Change The World”(Nelson Mandela).
Rhoda Prevail Tyoden
Country Vice President/National President
Eliana Martins
National Publicity Secretary
