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
by FIDAFIDA Benue Flags off 16 Days of Activism 2019
To flag off the 16 days activism, FIDA Benue paid a visit to Government Girls Secondary School, Makurdi were she had a talk on GBV and Rape. After which members of FIDA Benue distributed sanitary towels to over 240 students.
by FIDAFIDA Lagos Flags off 16 Days of Activism
FIDA Lagos in conjunction with Project Alert and Network on Police Reform in Nigeria (NOPRIN) in spotlight initiative, had a press Conference themed: Sexual Volence by Law Enforcement Officers in Nigeria (Police & co) to flag off the 16 Days of Activism on Elimination of sexual and all other forms of violence against women and children. #orangetheworld #SayNoToGbv #generationequality
by FIDAFIDA Bayelsa Flags off 16days of Activism 2019
To mark the beginning of the 16 DAYS OF ACTIVISM AGAINST GENDER BASED VIOLENCE with theme: “ORANGE THE WORLD: GENERATION EQUALITY SAYS NO TO RAPE”, FIDA Bayelsa in collaboration with other gender champions (CSOs/NGOs) embarked on a peace walk today Monday, 25th November, 2019.
The walk which was to the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters, Bayelsa State Command, Yenagoa featured the FIDA Chaprerson, Tariere Egbegi bring to the fore, the theme of this years activism campaign and the need to strengthen the fight against the menace of rape. She strongly condemned the unfortunate incident of the PDP woman leader in Kogi State who was burnt to death following the aftermath of the elections. She charged the COP to use his good offices to prevail on the IG and other relevant stakeholders in the Force to see that the perpetrators of the heinous crime are brought to book.
In his response to the visit, the Commissioner of Police, CP Uche Anozia reiterated the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force in general and Bayelsa State in particular in the fight against crime and criminality especially with regards to rape. He condemned the act in the strictest terms whilst commending FIDA and the other groups represented for their fight against violence against women.
The meeting was brief and successful. FIDA Bayelsa once again pledges her commitment to continually promote the rights of women and children in the State. FIDA is here to make a difference in Bayelsa State and diaspora.
by FIDAFIDA Anambra Flags off 16 Days of Activism
FIDA Anambra State embarked on schools outreaches to flag off the 16 Days of activism against Gender-Based Violence with the theme: “Orange the World: Generation Equality Stands Against Rape”. FIDA Anambra State visited Federal Government College Nise and Ado Girls Secondary School Onitsha were they sensitized the students on the ills of VAW, the provisions, and protection of the VAPP Law and the need for all generations to stand together to fight against Rape, Sexual Abuse and all forms of violence in our society
FIDA Anambra joins all Fidians to say:
#NotoRape
#RespectNotRape
#StopAllFormsOfViolenceAgainstWomen
#OrangetheWorldStopGenderBasedViolence
#OrangeTheWorld#SayNoToGbv#GenerationEquality
by FIDA16 Days of Activism 2019
FIDA Nigeria 2019 commemoration of the 16 Days Activism on the Elimination of all Forms of Gender Based Violence
We stand tall and strong today, the 25th of November 2019, the International Day of the Elimination of Violence Against Women as we kick off our 16 days of Activism against Gender Based Violence, carrying out advocacy on the Theme “Orange the World: Generation Equality Stands against Rape!”; And will be rounding up activities on the 10th of December 2019, which is commemorated as Human Rights Day.
This year’s theme focuses on Rape because of the high rate of rape cases reported all over affecting all categories and ages of women and Children . According to UNWomen, 35 percent of women worldwide have experienced physical and/or sexual violence in their lifetime while 11 percent of Nigerian women have experienced physical and/or sexual violence by an intimate partner in the last twelve months; therefore this theme is most relevant now.
We note the reported cases of Rape, defilement and violence not to mention the numerous incidents which go unreported for reasons such as the culture of silence, the stigmatization of survivors, the fear of intimidation and so forth.
FIDA Nigeria based on these overwhelming reports and data, has played a paramount and active role, and even hosted the Secretariat of the Legislative Advocacy Coalition on Violence against Women (LACVAW), all to ensure the enactment of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act (2015) which in better details codifies the law, protects the victim and punishes the offender.
FIDA strongly commends and celebrates the following states which have so far enacted the equivalent of the VAPP Act namely Lagos, Edo, Oyo, Anambra, Cross River, Ekiti, Kaduna, Enugu, Ebonyi, Adamawa and Benue states, while calling on the remaining States of the Federation to proceed with dispatch to Adopt and implement the VAPP Act (2015).
The Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, 2015, is a landmark legislation on the prohibition of all forms of violence against persons, especially the marginalized in Nigeria. It is a great improvement on the Criminal and Penal Codes operational in Southern and Northern Nigeria respectively. It covers various forms of violence such as emotional violence, psychological violence, verbal violence, physical violence, sexual violence and so forth.
The Act has expanded the definition of rape to include different types of penetration on any gender without consent (Section 1 of the VAPP Act). The infraction of Section 1(1) of the VAPP Act is punishable with life imprisonment, Though Section 1(2) gives the judge a discretion to impose sentences less than life imprisonment depending on the circumstances. Worthy of note is the fact that the Act also provides for compensation of victims of rape, this was evidently absent in the previous laws.
With FIDA’s unique composition of over 2,500 volunteer female lawyers in Nigeria, spread across 32 branches in Nigeria we are working at all levels towards the Elimination of Violence against Women(VAW) because we recognize the multifarious nature of gender-based violence.
Consequently, as part of our 16 days activism program we shall be carrying out different programs such as legal clinics, activism march,advocacy visits, rallies, media and schools out reaches, sensitization and mobilization programs, including capacity building programs for key stakeholders, community influencers, faith based organizations and other groups on the ills of VAW, the provisions and protections of the VAPP Act, while also advocating for its adoption to suit unique cultural and religious peculiarities or contexts. FIDA shall continue in strategic engagement and advocacy campaigns with other key influencers so as to effectively drive the process necessary for the adoption and effective implementation of the VAPP Law in all the States of the Federation.
FIDA Nigeria therefore calls on all stakeholders to also play an active part in the sensitization, prevention, protection and enforcement to ensure the Elimination of these ills in our society. As we kick off, we call on all good meaning individuals, stakeholders and groups to join us, as we look into, speak out and take practical, effective, and proactive steps to eliminate all forms of Gender Based Violence in the country.
All generations must stand together to fight this menace called ‘Rape’ and indeed all other forms of violence perpetuated on our women (our mothers, wives, daughters, sisters, cousins, nieces, wards, grandchildren etc.) whether young or old.
We advocate that:
– The Federal government put in place necessary and appropriate mechanisms, facilities and processes to ensure safe spaces for victims and survivors of Gender Based Violence, particularly victims of rape
– Quick proactive steps must be taken in the reform of our criminal justice system to ensure speedy investigation and prosecution of offenders.
– The different States of the Federation must fast track processes to adopt and implement the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) (2015) to ensure speedy dispensation of criminal trials.
FIDA calls on all to realize, appreciate and celebrate the role of the female gender in our society.
Rape is rooted in a complex set of patriarchal beliefs, power and control, This must stop.
Let us work together to instill confidence in the administration of criminal justice, work to remove the stigma attached to survivors, protect victims, while stopping the impunity of perpetuators and ensuring they are brought to justice.
FIDA Nigeria will continue to provide free legal representation and advice to survivors of Rape. FIDA Nigeria pledges to also provide legal representation for non- survivors of violence. It is absolutely necessary that the dignity of every human person especially that of the woman is respected. Accordingly all generations must rise up, speak out and do the needful to stop all forms of violence against women
FIDA stands to promote, protect and preserve the rights of women and girls in society. FIDA says women who are victims of rape demand:
#AcceptanceNotRejection
#SupportNotOpposition
#EncouragementNotDiscouragement
#RespectNotRape
#VenerationNotViolation
#StopAllFormsOfViolenceAgainstWomen
#NoMeansNo
#OrangetheWorldStopGenderBasedViolence
#GenerationEqualityStandsAgainstRape
Rhoda Prevail Tyoden
Country Vice President/National President
Eliana Martins
National Publicity Secretary