by FIDAFIDA Uyo Celebrates International Day of the Girl Child 2024
In celebration of the International Day of the Girl Child, the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Uyo Branch visited the students of Offot Ukwa Secondary School in Uyo Local Government Area on October 10th, 2024.
The event kicked off with a warm welcome from the school’s principal, Mrs. Julie Effiong. The NBAWF Akwa Ibom State Chapter Lead, Ofonime Etuknwa Esq, then addressed the students, aligning her speech with this year’s theme. Following her was Senior EseOghene Onwuezobe Esq, who provided an insightful overview of the VAPP Law, shedding light on the devastating effects of abuse.
Maria Akpan Esq continued the advocacy with a powerful session on the effects of rape and molestation, encouraging the students to speak out against these crimes. Arit Isangedighi-Udokang Esq wrapped up the event with a vibrant chant of the PANTS Rule, reinforcing protective measures for the students.
The session was skillfully moderated by the Immediate Past NBAWF State Lead, Sifon Sifon Esq, and supported by Mbereobong Isok Esq and Edidiong Ottong Esq, both in attendance to lend their voices to the cause.
This impactful outreach by FIDA Uyo highlights the organization’s commitment to educating and empowering young girls on their rights and safety.
by FIDAChild Protection and Safeguarding Training
FIDA Uyo Branch in her efforts to ensure that parents, teachers, and other handlers of children are empowered to protect children and report violations, organized training on Child Protection and Safeguarding. The training was held on 25th May 2023 at Justice Eno Otu Bar Centre, Uyo.
Forty-five participants drawn from heads of public and private schools, parents, handlers of children in church, and NGOs benefited from the training.
Highlights of topics discussed were: Child Rights, Principles of Safeguarding; Types of abuse; detecting non-physical abuse, and taking action where there is abuse or likelihood of abuse.
On behalf of the participants, the principal of Ndikpo Grammar School. Mrs. Julie Effiong thanked FIDA for the training and urged FIDA to train more handlers of children.
by FIDAFIDA Uyo Partners with USAID trains CSOs to leverage on digital platforms to drive their advocacy
On the 15th of March FIDA Nigeria Uyo Branch, in collaboration with the USAID-funded State Transparency, Accountability and Effectiveness activity trained women-led groups, media groups, and civil society organizations on combatting Gender-Based Violence in digital spaces.
A total of 26 participants were in attendance. The modules focused on identifying the forms of GBV proliferated in digital spaces and the role of community trainers in helping local communities address these issues. The training also highlighted the gender digital divide citing GBV as a key factor.
The training built the capacity of civil society organisations to leverage digital platforms to drive their advocacy in the face of shrinking civic spaces.
Participants’ capacity to address the challenges that trail digital advocacy efforts at addressing Gender Based Violence was further built.
Participants came up with action plans to build the capacity of their local communities through step-down trainings. The step-down training is expected to build the capacity of over 100 local community leaders on these forms of violence.
by FIDAFIDA Uyo Marks International Day of the Boy Child 2022
On Monday 16th of May, 2022, FIDA Uyo marked the International Day of the Boy Child at the St. Brian Model School, Dominic Utuk Avenue, Uyo, which is a Boys’ School. The event targeted boys in SS1 – SS3 because they are in their adolescent years and would be in higher institutions soon, hence the need to equip them with the right information early to assist them to make correct choices.
Addressing this year’s theme: Boosting Optimism, Restoring Self-Worth various speakers made impactful presentations on different topics derived from the theme. The first speaker who is an Engineer and a businessman – Engr. Mfonabasi Asuquo, spoke on Career Development. The second male speaker Barr. Anietie Bassey equally imparted the boys on vices that jeopardize the future, sex education and how to manage sexual urges.
The anchor person Mrs. Sifon Akpaetor equally gave inputs while anchoring the event. Also at the event was the first female NBA Uyo chairperson, Barr. Eno-obong Akpan who gave a brief presentation on bullying and teasing which could lead to depression or suicidal thoughts. Finally, the Chairperson of FIDA Uyo, Bar. (Mrs) Iquo Abia, counselled on the importance of good behaviour citing laws against criminality and the need for them to be responsible in order not to be caught by the law.
Responding, the Head Boy of the school articulately gave a vote of thanks on behalf of the students. In addition, the school counselor Dr. Elizabeth Umoh thanked FIDA for choosing St. Brian school to mark this year’s International Day of the Boy Child and appealed that the event should be sustained to keep encouraging the boys.
The principal of the school Mr. Brian Edem commended FIDA Uyo for the initiative to visit the school to mark the International Day of the Boy Child.
The event came to an end with FIDA Uyo Branch presenting gift items to the students and some of the teachers who were in attendance.
by FIDAFIDA Eket Commemorates International Day of the Boy Child
In commemoration of the International Day of the Boy child, FIDA Eket on the 16th of May 2022 took her Advocacy to two Secondary Schools in Eket Local Government Area. St Francis Secondary School Ikot Ataku and Government Secondary School Afaha Eket were beneficiaries and focus was on the boys in SS1- SS3
The Boys were sensitized on this year’s theme Boosting Optimism, Restoring self-worth.
The celebration of the International Day of the Boy Child is not to remove focus from the girl child but to groom, nurture and mentor the boys to become better brothers, fathers, and husbands in the future.
The boy child must learn self-worth, to love and believe in themselves, and with focus and determination they can achieve their future goals.
The Speakers Yinka Gbadamosi Esq. and Soporochukwu Esq. Spoke extensively on the need for the boys to shun cultism, drug abuse, and all forms of negative vices that can deter them from achieving their goals.
The chairperson of FIDA Eket Mojisola Tijani Esq while speaking to the boys urged them to be optimistic, believe in themselves, and maintain a positive mindset in order to grow into responsible adults.
The principals of both Schools were extremely grateful and commended the effort of FIDA NIGERIA EKET BRANCH stating that the visit was a timely intervention and encouraged us to keep on with the mentorship program.
It was truly a successful program because at the end of the session, the boys looked happy and felt loved especially when they received their gifts.
by FIDAStrategic Collaboration Between FIDA Nigeria Branches
Strategic Collaboration by FIDA NIGERIA, Bayelsa, and Uyo Branches has led to the rescue of two trafficked teenage girls aged 18 and 17 respectively and subsequent reunion with their families.
by FIDAFIDA Nigeria, Akwa Ibom State Celebrate World Menstrual Hygiene Day
FIDA Nigeria, Akwa Ibom State Branch celebrated the World Menstrual Hygiene Day with students of Adiahaobong Secondary School, Uyo and Girl’s High School Ikot Obiok, Eket. This year’s theme is: “Action and Investment in Menstrual Hygiene and Health.”
Last year FIDA Akwa Ibom went to a secondary school at Itu and most of the girls hadn’t used a pad in their life! Do you know what they use? Pieces of cloth which they wash after use and re-use. Ha! If you know what that means! Infections, which they may think it’s nothing until it damages one or two organs in their bodies.
Pads should be given free, every month in every secondary school. Our girls need it. I see people giving condoms for free but not pads. Hmmm. Sex is a choice o; menstruation is not.
Let’s do more for our children. Talk to FIDA if you want to help them through us.
Take action! Invest in their future
by FIDAFIDA Akwa Ibom commemorate 16days of Activism 2020
FIDA Akwa Ibom flagged off the 16 days of activism against Gender Based Violence on the 26of November 2020, at the prestigious Ibom Hall, Uyo and His Majesty’s Hall Eket, over 1000 copies of the VAPP Law were distributed free of charge.
by FIDAFIDA AKWA IBOM, MARCH AGAINST RAPE.
FIDA Akwa Ibom, went on a peaceful protest against Rape. In attendance was the Hon. Attorney General and the commissioner for women affairs.
