by FIDAFIDA Africa Regional Congress Thanksgiving Service
The 2019 FIDA Africa Regional Congress held a Thanksgiving Service on Sunday 13th October 2019, at the Corner Stone Baptist Church, Gwarinpa, Abuja, where delegates in their large numbers attended the spiritually uplifting service
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 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
by FIDAWe Are PINK
Every morning,
before the cock announces
its victory over the thick night,
my ear drums dance to the beats
from my pounding heart,
waking me to face my own night;
My night falls when your day breaks.
My night is read-eyed terrorist,
an arrogant drunk,
a hardened criminal…
So while your day seduces you
with fairy tales and beautiful
promises,
my night rips in two
the innocence of my mind,
ruining every hope for a
better tomorrow.
My night is the lie society sold to
women,
that aren’t suitable
for a smooth affair
with positive impacts,
but capable to handle the herculean
task of the home front,
the kitchen and the ‘other room’
entitlements.
And let’s not forget the very
unflattering position
of baby-making machines.
And of course we bought the lie,
because we confided in the society;
We learned we are the foundation ‘home makers’.
So in a bid to appease
and to please their selfish whims,
we trained our waists to twerk to their
rhythm.
Unknown to us,
that with every beat
of their custom drum,
we tweaked away the future
of our children.
But they were wrong…
Very wrong!
We are more than a weak mind can
conceive…
More than matrimonial maids; to
cook and clean,
more than baby-making machines.
We more than square pegs in
round holes.
We are goddesses;
with great destinies.
Our hands are blessed with
the creativity of the Most High.
Our minds, burning embers that ignite
growth.
Our hearts floe stain-cleansing and
thirst-quenching streams of passion.
We ink love on every page,
drink poison in return,
yet we do not shrink nor blink…
We allow the pain to sink
like a stone into the sea our souls,
because we are more than the spell
of a wink.
We are Wonder Women speaking life
to the dry bones of humanity.
We are PINK:
P – Powerful
I – Intelligent
N – Noble
K – Kind
And what we think we become
© Eduoe Ndifreke.
by FIDAFIDA Nigeria Press Release on World Day Against Human Trafficking 2019
FIDA Nigeria lends her voice to mark the World Day Against Human Trafficking 2019. Today serves as a prime opportunity to draw the attention of the world at large and especially Nigerians to the menace of human trafficking. It is impossible for you not to have heard the stories about the young children that are sent from their villages to live and work with their relatives and strangers in town, or the young woman that is smuggled into a foreign country in hopes of a better life, only to find out that she will have to spend the rest of her days paying for the price with her private parts. All too often the stories end like that of little ‘Ochanya’, sorrow, pain, exploitation, abuse and sometimes death.
FIDA Nigeria is definitely no stranger to these stories, we have handled too many cases and as an organisation with a mandate to promote, protect and preserve the rights of women in Nigeria, we loudly lend our voice to call on all to act against human trafficking. The UNODC reports that 70% of human trafficking victims are women and girls and that 30% of human trafficking victims are children, of this, 23% are girls and 7% are boys. The exploitation of human beings is an abhorrent crime that humanity has sought to abolish since the days of the slave trade. Various international conventions, of which Nigeria is a signatory, guarantee the freedom from inhuman and degrading treatment and the freedom from trafficking and exploitation.
Article 3, paragraph (a) of the UN Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons defines Trafficking in Persons as the ‘recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of persons, by means of the threat or use of force or other forms of coercion, of abduction, of fraud, of deception, of the abuse of power or of a position of vulnerability or of the giving or receiving of payments or benefits to achieve the consent of a person having control over another person, for the purpose of exploitation.’ In Nigeria, human trafficking is specifically criminalised under the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Law Enforcement and Administration Act, 2003. Despite these provisions, human trafficking remains the second most lucrative form of organised crime in the world and the worst part is that human trafficking is a dynamic crime that often results in other crimes. For instance, if a child is trafficked and forced into a marriage, the trafficking is a crime and the forced marriage is a crime.
This year, the UN has chosen to use the day to encourage all to call government to action. FIDA Nigeria joins this move and calls the Nigerian government to action, to put greater protective and security measures in place to curtail the crime of human trafficking. State borders and national borders need to be better regulated to ensure that humans are not subject to illegal transportation and exploitation.
FIDA Nigeria however, goes a step further to call all Nigerian citizens to action. The truth is that there would be no supply if there was no demand. We all have a role to play in identifying victims and not using their services. Next time you want to get a ‘cheaper’ house help from the village, think about it and ensure that no one will be exploited in the process. It’s not just a global problem or a national problem, it is a local problem and so we all need to be conscious about the role we play.
FIDA Nigeria will continue to do all it can to fight against human trafficking and we will continue to partner with the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) to ensure that women and children can live in a society free from exploitation and abuse.
FIDA NIGERIA stands against all forms of trafficking humans, let’s put an end to it.
Every human being matters, respect their dignity.
Rhoda Prevail Tyoden
Country Vice President/National President
Fida Nigeria
Eliana martins
National publicity secretary
Fida nigeria
by FIDAFIDA Nigeria Statement Condemning the Treatment of Hon. Justice Karatu
The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Nigeria is disheartened by the viral video which shows Justice Elizabeth Karatu, Justice of the High Court of Kebbi State, being prevented from entering the courtroom by a staff of the Civil Defense Corps. The video is a depressing depiction of the lowly regard that is had for the law and for the judicial arm of government, in this country.
In the viral video, Justice Karatu can be heard explaining to the Corps officer that she only wanted to deliver her judgements as she still had one more day before her retirement was to take effect, to which the officer responds that he is working on instructions from management and that she should speak to them. As a result, Justice Karatu was prevented from entering the court and consequently, innocent people were denied their right to a prompt and fair trial.
In response to the video, the Commandant General of the Civil Defense Corps, Abdullahi Gana Muhammadu has said that the Corps officer was only trying to prevent the court room from being vandalised, as the court room was under lock and key. It is contended that such an excuse is belittling of the Judge’s position in the court. It is worth noting that a few months ago, Justice Karatu was denied confirmation as Chief Judge of Kebbi state on allegations that her primary school certificate was altered. Alternative allegations suggest her denial was based on her religious beliefs, since she is a Christian and the people of Kebbi State are predominantly Muslim.
As is stated in the preamble of the Code of Conduct for judicial officers, “an independent, strong, respected and respectable Judiciary is indispensable for the impartial administration of Justice in a democratic State”. The treatment of the most senior judge in the state, a day before her retirement, highlights a lack of respect and regard for her position as judicial officer of the state. The saga surrounding the denial of Justice Karatu’s appointment, coupled with the embarrassing treatment depicted in the video point to the larger issue of the denigration of the judiciary in Nigeria. The viral video just throws light on how the integrity and high status on the third arm of government is being ridiculed.
As an organisation with a mandate to promote, protect and preserve the rights of women and children, FIDA Nigeria further contends that the treatment of Justice Karatu also points to the marginalisation and discrimination against women which is evident in various spheres of the Nigerian society. Unfortunately, the courts of justice are not even exempt from this. From female judges like Justice Nyako being divested of cases as a result of their husbands trials, to female judges like Justice Karatu who are hardhanded out of office, reports suggest that the treatment of female judges has been discriminatory. FIDA Nigeria uses this opportunity to call for an end to the discriminatory and disrespectful treatment meted out on Justice Karatu and other female judges in Nigeria.
FIDA Nigeria joins the Nigerian Bar Association in calling for an end to the intimidation and harassment of judicial officers all over the country and for further investigations to be made into the incident.
#StopTheDiscriminationAgainstWomen #StopTheHarrassmentAndIntimidationOfTheJudiciary
RHODA PREVAIL TYODEN
COUNTRY VICE PRESIDENT/NATIONAL PRESIDENT
FIDA NIGERIA
ELIANA MARTINS
NATIONAL PUBLICITY SECRETARY
FIDA NIGERIA