by adminFIDA Lagos marks International Women’s Day 2023
The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Nigeria Lagos branch in collaboration with the Foundation for Resilient Empowerment and Development (FRED) celebrated with great women all over the globe to mark this year’s IWD
The programme was indeed a huge success, following a high number of attendees. The Chairperson, Mrs. Chinwe Efobi gave the opening remarks. The guest speakers, Mrs. Titilola Akinlawon, SAN, and Mrs. Abiola Laseinde delivered well-articulated and educative lectures.
The Theme “DigitALL: Innovation and Technology for Gender Equality” in summary, is the commitment and involvement of women and girls in technology(IT). Tech knowledge should not be gender-sensitive, nor should it be determined by the degree one acquires. Women should equip themselves with Tech Knowledge.
by adminFIDA Plateau Commemorates International Women’s Day 2023
FIDA Plateau to commemorate International Women’s Day 2023 with the theme, “DigitALL: Innovation and Technology for Gender Equality” held a press conference
After delivering the press statement on behalf of the Country Vice President/National President Mrs. Amina Suzana Agbaje, the Chairperson FIDA Plateau Obioma Ngozi Achilefu (Mrs) entertained questions from the press.
She stressed that ICT does not discriminate and so the digital age represents an unprecedented opportunity to eliminate all forms of disparity and inequality against women in society.
The occasion witnessed a great turnout of FIDANs.
by adminFIDA Nigeria organized a one-day validation workshop on the Bayelsa State ACJL 2019
The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Nigeria, Bayelsa State Branch, with support from MacArthur Foundation (MAF) on the 3rd day of March 2023, successfully held its validation exercise on the Bayelsa State ACJL 2019, Practice Direction which was developed at the workshop held on the 19th day of December 2022.
In attendance was the Acting Chief Judge of Bayelsa State, who was represented by Hon. Justice Eradi, and other Judges, Magistrates, representatives from the Ministry of Justice, Nigerian Police Force, National Human Rights Commission, Legal Aid Council, and members from the Nigeria Bar Association.
The participants and the consultant went through the draft extensively while making necessary inputs. After all corrections and observations were made, participants affirmed the document and all agreed that same be forwarded to the Acting Chief Judge for his final input and signing.
The Validation Exercise came to an end with the presentation of copies of the Bayelsa State ACJL 2019, to the various stakeholders in the criminal justice sector with a goal to foster effective implementation stemming from accessibility to the principal law.
by adminFIDA Nigeria preliminary statement on the presidential & national assembly elections as it relates to women participation
1.0 Introduction
FIDA Nigeria through her situation room situated at Nicon Luxury Hotel, Abuja, the Nigeria Capital respectively is observing the participation of women and forms of violence perpetrated against women across four focal states of our intervention mainly Borno, Plateau, Kaduna, and Kwara states
2.0 Methodology
FIDA Nigeria with support from UNWomen and the Government of Canada under Advance Women Political Participation Project is observing the participation of women and forms of violence perpetrated against women in the 2023 General Elections through 77 INEC accredited observers deployed across 66 polling units in the aforementioned four focal states.
An election monitoring tool was administered by our accredited observers at their respective polling units while leveraging partnerships with other civil society actors in observing, documenting, and reporting women participation and incidences of violence perpetrated against women. FIDA Nigeria continues to closely watch the process across the 66 Local Government Areas under our observatory process until it is concluded by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).The following issues are highlighted as part of our preliminary report:
2.1. Commencement of Polls
Reports across the polling units across our focal states observed indicate that election materials arrived at polling units observed between the hours of 8:30 – 9:30 am. 38 % of the polling units had the election materials before 8.30 am, 19.7% by 9.30 am, and 42.3% later than 9:30 am.
2.2. Mainstreaming of Female Electoral Officials
Furthermore, we observed that 26.8% of polling units visited had three electoral officials, 69% had 4 electoral officials, and less than 4 % had two (2) electoral officials. With regards participation of female electoral officials, we observed about 47.9% had more than 2 female electoral officials, 39.4 % had less than 2 officials, while 12.7% had no female electoral officials.
2.3. Security Observations
We observed that 26.8% had more than 4 security personnel, 22.5% had 3 security personnel, 28.2% had 2 security personnel, while 22.5 % had either one or no security presence at the polling units. Females were observed not fully mainstreamed by relevant security agencies in the polling units visited. Statistics from the field indicate that no female security official was seen in 49.3%, 33.8% of the polling unit had less than two female security personnel, while only 16.9% had above 2 female security officials. Furthermore, security personnel were found armed at polling units in about 18.7% of the polling units observed, however, in 81.7%, security personnel were not armed.
In 88.7% of the polling units, women felt very secure in the polling units, while women in 9.9% of the polling units, experienced some level of insecurity.
2.4.Partiality of Electoral & Security Personnel
In 91.5% of our polling units, electoral and security personnel were observed to demonstrate some level of impartiality, however, there were some concerns of the level of partiality in about 8% of polling units visited
2.5. Turnout of Female Voters:
FIDA Nigeria observed a large turnout of female voters in about 66.2% of the polling units observed. in polling unit 006, ward 2, Kaiama LGA, Kwara State. In Unit 007, Ward 2, Mafa LGA, Borno State, Women were observed in good numbers exercising their franchise.
2.6.Under-Aged Female Voters
In 94.4% of the polling units visited, we observed no incidence of underage voting by Females. However, in 5.6% of polling units observed, underage voting was witnessed. For instance, in polling unit 003, Ward 1, Zaria LGA, young girls were observed clearly below the stipulated age voting. In polling unit oo6, Ijabo ward , Oyun LGA, Kwara State, a similar occurrence occurred.
2.7. Priority Voting for Women from Marginalized/Vulnerable groups
FIDA Nigeria observes that women with disabilities, the elderly/Aged, pregnant women and Nursing mothers were prioritized in the voting process by INEC Adhoc Officials. Our Observers reported that in about 85.9% of the polling units, priority voting occurred, however in 14.1% of the polling units, these groups were compelled to join existing queues toward exercising their franchise.
For instance, at Polling Unit 001, Magajin Gari, Jema” LGA, Kaduna State, Priority voting was not observed as elderly Women were not given special consideration. However, at Polling units 002 & 003, Ward 7 Igabi LGA, an aged woman was observed given priority. In Plateau at polling unit 001, kitago in Bassa LGA, elderly and pregnant women were observed provided a separate voting priority queue, similarly, in Polling unit 005, RCM Primary School, Qua’an Pan LGA, the elderly and pregnant women also have a separate voting priority queue. At polling unit 002, Ward 6 Langtang North, women with disabilities are given priority voting, While at Mafa LGA Polling Unit 007, Ward 2, Borno State older women, nursing mothers, and remaining women were prioritized
2.8.Existence of Separate Queues for Women
In 84.5% of the polling units visited, we observed that INEC ensured that separate queues were created for women to exercise their franchise. However such was not existent in 15.5% of the polling units visited as INEC made no provisions, and neither were any form of enforcement by security agencies. In polling unit 001, RCM primary school kabwir, Kanke LGA, Plateau State, separate queues were not prioritized.
2.9. Functionality of the Bimodal Voters Accreditation System:
FIDA Nigeria has observed that across most polling units within our purview, the bimodal voter’s accreditation system was largely functional which aided accreditation and the voting process. In 91.5% of polling units visited, the BVAS Machine was highly functional, however in 8.5% of the polling units observed experienced technical difficulty which limited women participation,
2.9.1. Vote Trading: FIDA Nigeria observed a few disturbing incidents of vote trading across 1.6% of the polling units. However, 98.6% witnessed no incidences of vote trading in the polling units observed especially as our observers reported that these polling units were to have witnessed voting inducements. We will update the media as we receive further information from our deployed observers
3.0.. Conclusion
FIDA Nigeria will continue to observe the elections and later issue her post-election statement to detail more on the overall participation of women and perpetrated violence.
God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Amina Agbaje (Mrs)
Country Vice President/National President
by adminFIDA Nigeria holds a three-day capacity-building workshop for Traditional and Faith Leaders from Northern Nigeria
FIDA Nigeria on the 16th of February 2023, organized a three-day capacity-building workshop for Traditional and Faith Leaders from Northern Nigeria. 25 of these leaders are drawn across three Northern states namely Plateau, Bauchi and Katsina.
The objective of this workshop is to improve preventive and response measures on SGBV& CEFM by these selected leaders having knowledge of local realities that promote this menace. This activity commenced on Thursday 16th and will be concluded on Saturday 18th February 2023 in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria.
by adminFIDA trains election observers on documenting violence against women in Kaduna State
On the 13th of February 2023, FIDA Nigeria organized a one-day training workshop in Kaduna State to strengthen the capacity of accredited observers drawn across the 23 LGAs in the state on observing, documenting and reporting women’s participation and incidences of electoral violence perpetrated against women before and during the 2023 General Elections.
by adminFIDA Nigeria Holds a capacity-Building workshop on increasing gender-sensitive information and awareness-raising on the menace of SGBV & CEFM for Traditional & Faith Leaders across Southern Nigeria
FIDA Nigeria is currently Organizing a Three-Day Capacity Building Workshop for 25 Traditional and Faith Leaders drawn from 16 Communities across three focal states in Southern Nigeria namely Delta, Edo and Ebonyi.
The activity commenced on Thursday 9th February 2023 and will culminate on Saturday 11th February 2023 in Asaba, Delta State.
The workshop aims at increasing gender-sensitive information and awareness-raising on the menace of Sexual and Gender-based Violence (SGBV) and Child Early and Forced Marriage (CEFM) through strengthening traditional and faith based Leaders on the prevention and response strategies in local communities where these issues are prevalent through this training.
These Community and Faith-based Leaders will be able to institutionalize and establish coordinated response and referral pathways in tandem with Law Enforcement agencies towards arrests and prosecution of perpetrators of these crimes while working with state actors to create a gender-sensitive and protective environment for survivors.
by adminFIDA trains election observers on documenting violence against women in Plateau State
With barely two weeks to the nation’s general elections, the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Nigeria, has identified violence as a major cause hindering the effective participation of women in politics.
It also decried the steady decline in women’s participation in politics, especially at the parliamentary level.
Country Vice President/National President FIDA, Mrs. Amina Agbaje said this at the capacity building workshop for accredited election observers, on documenting and reporting violence against women during the 2023 general elections, held in Jos, the Plateau State Capital.
Agbaje said, “Women constitute a powerful electorate with millions of votes in Nigeria.
“According to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Nigerian women signaled their intention to make their voices heard in the 2019 elections, accounting for about 47.14 percent (39, 598, 645 million) of the 84, 004, 084 million registered voters nationwide.
“Going into the 2023 general elections, there has been an interest in the number of female voters from 39, 598, 645 to 44, 414, 846 and from 47.14% in 2019 to 47.51% in 2023.
“Women represent about 50% of the Nigerian population; in spite of this, their level of participation and representation is increasingly very poor”, She lamented.
“Current statistics of women in parliament in Nigeria confirm that women’s representation in parliament is on a steady decline.
“9% in 2007, 7% in 2011, 5% in 2015, and less than 10% in the 9th National Assembly”, the FIDA President decried.
“Using the 2015 figures, there are only 4 women deputy governors in all of Nigeria’s 36 States”, She maintained.
“While factors militating against women’s participation are varied, a major cause hindering effective participation of women in politics is the issue of violence”, she explained.
Agbaje maintained that eradication of political violence was key in advancing women’s political participation stressing the importance of condensing political violence before and after polls to allow women participate fully.
“It is on this premise that this capacity building workshop is being organised towards advancing the participation of women in the 2023 general elections by strengthening our selected observers who are being accredited by INEC to identify, observe, document and report incidences of violence against women in the elections.
by adminFemale genital mutilation, an evil act – FIDA
By Abiodun Azi
The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Nigeria, Lagos Branch, has condemned Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), describing it as an evil act.
Mrs. Chinwe Efobi, Chairperson, FIDA, made the assertion on Thursday in Lagos at an event to mark the International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM is observed on Feb. 6 every year.
According to Efobi, the day provides an opportunity for all stakeholders involved in ending FGM to celebrate achievements, advocate for abandonment of the practice and raise awareness.
She said it was in this vein that FIDA Lagos joins the world to commemorate the Day which had the 2023 theme as: “Partnership with Men and Boys to Transform Social and Gender Norms to End FGM”.
She explained that FGM referred to all procedures involving partial or total removal of the female external genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons.
She said it was most often carried out on young girls between infancy and age 15, and usually referred to as circumcision.
“From statistics available, globally, more than 200 million women and girls have been mutilated.
“In Nigeria alone, more than 20 million women and girls have been mutilated and this figure represents 10 percent of the global total.
“What this figure means in essence is that one out of every 10 mutilated girls or women in the world is a Nigerian,” she said.
Efobi said that there were so many reasons why FGM was practiced in Nigeria, some of which are culturally inclined, patriarchal system or religious/cultural obligation.
She said it was sad to note that a number of countries still engage in the practice of FGM in spite the fact that some of the perpetrators are aware of the adverse effects on the lives of the victims.
She said that FGM affects young girls more than older women and the psychological effects could impact the lives of a young girl throughout her life.
She said, “FIDA Nigeria, Lagos branch, calls on all stakeholders to raise more awareness in the fight against FGM, and we must not relent in our efforts to raise our voices.
“We must take this campaign to families and communities still practicing this evil act.
“We also call on all government agencies saddled with enforcement responsibilities to take the issue of FGM more seriously.
“To curb the spread of this practice, more perpetrators need to be prosecuted and punished speedily to help achieve a sane and safe environment for women and girls to live in a society free of FGM,” she said.
by admin2023 Election: FIDA Nigeria holds workshop on reporting violence against women
As the 2023 general elections draw nearer, the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) on the 2nd of February 2023, held a workshop to train observers on reporting acts of violence against women during elections in Nigeria.
In her address at the program, the FIDA Nigeria Country Vice President/National President, Mrs. Amina Agabaje, which was delivered by the Ilorin branch FIDA chairperson, Barrister Gloria Okoduwa stressed that the one-day workshop is meant for accredited observers on observing, documenting and reporting incidences of electoral violence perpetrated against women before and during the 2023 General Elections.
She revealed that a similar workshop was being implemented across the four focal states of the intervention namely Kwara (North Central), Borno (North East), Plateau (North Central) and Kaduna (North West).In her words,
“Women constitute a powerful electorate with millions of votes in Nigeria. According to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Nigerian women signaled their intention to make their voices heard in the 2019 election, accounting for about 47.14 percent (39,598,645 million) of the 84.004.084 million registered voters nationwide.
“Going into the 2023 general elections, there has been an increase in the number of female voters from 39.598,645 to 44.414.846 and from 47,14% in 2019 to 47.51% in 2023 evidently women represent about 50% of the Nigerian population.
“In spite of this, their level of political participation and representation is increasingly very poor.
“Current statistics of women in parliament in Nigeria confirm that women representation in parliament is on a steady decline. 9% in 2007, 7% in 201-1, 5% in 2015 and less than 10% in the 9th National Assembly. Using the 2015 figures, there are only 4 women deputy governors in all of Nigeria’s 36 states. While factors militating against women participation are varied, a major cause hindering effective participation of women in politics is the issue of violence.
“She noted that the eradication of political violence is key in advancing women political participation as it is of paramount importance to condense political violence before and after elections so that women can fully participate in elections.
“The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA) in laying credence to this fact have clearly recognized that, elections have triggered outbreaks of violence in which women and girls were victimized which have made women a tool of political harassment and violence before during and after elections.
“This has made female voters continue to be disproportionately affected by various forms of election-related violence or threats of violence which is the effect of keeping them away from the polling stations more than male voters.
“It is on this premise that this capacity building workshop is being organized towards advancing the participation of women in the 2023 general elections,” she said.
