by FIDAStrengthening Community Leadership in Ekiti State!
In a significant Annual Dialogue, FIDA Nigeria brought together 40 esteemed members of the Ekiti State Council of Traditional Leaders to develop strategies aimed at eradicating violence against women and girls. This dialogue represents a pivotal step in unifying voices and actions within communities to safeguard and empower women and girls across Nigeria.
Through robust partnerships, we are fostering a ripple effect of change that will contribute to a safer and more equitable future.
#FIDANigeria #EndViolence #EmpowerWomen #EkitiState #CommunityLeadership
by FIDADissemination of Action Plans and Community Sensitization, in Ilawe-Ekiti
FIDA Nigeria, Ekiti branch with support from Ford Foundation on the 8th of July 2022, conducted a community sensitization in Ilawe-Ekiti by disseminating validated Action Plans and fliers containing articles on Gender-Based Violence.
The team was received by High Chief Ajibade Olubunmi, representing the Alawe of Ilawe-Ekiti, Oba Adebanji Ajibade Alabi (Afuntade I) at the Alawe Palace.
The members of the GBV Surveillance Team in Ilawe-Ekiti comprising of Traditional Leaders, Religious Leaders, Market Chiefs, Commercial Transporters, the Nigerian police force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and The Head of Primary Health Care(PHC). were formally introduced to the Oba.
FIDA Ekiti Chairperson gave a summary of the project and its impact on Ilawe-Ekiti Community after which copies of the Validated Action Plan, Fliers, and Consent Form were distributed to the Representative of the Monarch.
The High Chief in his remark thanked Ford Foundation and FIDA for choosing the Community for implementation of the project. He read out the content of the Commitment Form and signed same subsequently.
FIDA Ekiti and the GBV Surveillance Team thereafter went into the marketplace where they were introduced to the Community.
The Community were sensitized in Yoruba and Igbo Languages as well as Ekiti dialect. The Validated Action Plan was conspicuously hung at a strategic position where members of the community can read.
Subsequently, The team went to Ekiti State Girls Model College for sensitization where we had an audience of over 200 students. It was a highly interactive session with the students and teachers. Copies of the Validated Action Plan and fliers were donated to the school for its library. It was indeed an impactful outing.
by FIDADissemination of Action Plans and Community Sensitization, in Erinmope-Ekiti, Moba LGA of Ekiti State
FIDA Ekiti in company of the GBV Surveillance Team in Erinmope-Ekiti, Moba LGA of Ekiti State On the 6th of July 2022, sensitized the Community on the rights of women and children, especially the girl child as well as the repercussion of breaching those rights.
The sensitization started from the market square, where a lot of women were sensitized on their rights and the rights of their daughters.
Furthermore, FIDA Ekiti went to CAC Primary School, Erinmope-Ekiti, to sensitize pupils about their rights as children and sex education. The GBV Surveillance Team was again introduced to the pupils and teachers as a link between them and FIDA Ekiti in reporting cases of abuse against them or any woman or girl around them.
FIDA Ekiti Chairperson presented the Validated Action Plan to High Chief M. A. Awoyemi, who received the branch on behalf of the Monarch, and promised to màke adequate report and dissemination at the next Obaleo- in-Council meeting.
The Action Plan was also printed and hung in a conspicuous space in the community for an easy read. As a way of feedback, the community people suggested that FIDA hotlines should be made toll-free for communication ease.
by FIDAFIDA Ekiti Partners African Mental Health Alliance
On the 13th of May 2022, FIDA Ekiti partnered with African Mental Health Alliance to organize a lecture and walk-in Ekiti State. The lecture titled ‘Trauma care is a community care’ was delivered by Prof Dotun Merino a seasoned expert on trauma care. She is the President of AMHA and JARS Education and Psychological Firm Nig.
After the lecture, a walk tagged ‘Community trauma Awareness Walk’ was embarked on, and participants walked through the town sensitizing the populace on mental awareness. The walk ended at the Ekiti State House of Assembly, where the Honourable Speaker addressed all the participants, he informed them that, the state has already passed the Mental Health Law, 2020 and the House is ready to collaborate further on any matter relating to the well-being of the people of the State. He also pledged further that, the House is willing to entertain amendments in the Law, to meet up international standards.
by FIDAFIDA Nigeria Implemented a One-day Workshop on the ACJA/L in Ekiti State
FIDA Nigeria with support from Macarthur Foundation implemented a One-day Workshop in Ekiti State on the Administration of the Criminal Justice Act/Law (ACJA/L) and other Anti-Corruption Legislative Frameworks in Nigeria, on the 20th of April 2022. In attendance were participants from the NPF, Judiciary, NDLEA, NSCDC, INEC, Ekiti State University, Federal University Oye-Ekiti, Afe Babalola University, and FIDA members from private practice and other MDAs.
The content of the workshop was robust, engaging and participatory.
At the end of the lectures, the participants came up with an Action Plan which is to be carried out by FIDA Ekiti, being a member of the Ad hoc ACJMC, through her Excos to ensure that actions are taken on suggestions raised during the training.
by FIDAFIDA Conducts Capacity Building Session for Community Paralegals in Ido/Osi Local Government, Ekiti
FIDA Nigeria, Ekiti State branch, trains community paralegals in Ido/Osi local government. The training was aimed at building the capacity of community paralegals and creating awareness of SGBV as it affects the community.
by FIDAFIDA Nigeria, Ekiti State Branch held a Ford Foundation Project Inception Meeting
On the 28th of October 2020, FIDA Nigeria, with support from Ford Foundation held a project inception meeting at Erinmope-Ekiti, the Programme Officer, Catherine Oduluyi, introduced the project, with the theme: “Work with Gatekeepers, Women Leaders, Religious Leaders and Traditional Rulers to Address Social Norms that Negatively Affect the Status of Women and Entrench Violence Against Women and Girls”, to the participants. She noted that, various beliefs which sterns from culture and religions are basically the roots of GBV and gender inequality, hence, there is a need for cultural and attitudinal change. She stressed further that Government has provided Laws but the laws seem not to deter people from perpetrating acts of GBV and practices enhancing inequality. Ford Foundation has provided another solution with a community-based approach, hence the need for the commitment different categories of community stakeholders. She gave an overview of the project plan and activities to be carried out in the project.
At the meeting, participants engaged in a collaborative session which helped to create a deeper understanding of the project. The stakeholders in turn shared their knowledge of the project and gave suggestions.
The major outcome of the meeting was the formation of a surveillance team to report incidents of GBV in the community to FIDA
by FIDAFIDA Ekiti Hosts a Stakeholders’ Meeting on the Administration of the Criminal Justice Law
On the 23rd September, 2020, FIDA Nigeria Ekiti State branch with support from MacArthur Foundation, organized a stakeholders training to establish a network of the Bar, Bench, Police force and Correctional Service in Ekiti state. The training is for the effective implementation of the Administration of Criminal Justice law (ACJL) of Ekiti State 2014. The initial meeting was for the police force and the officers of the correctional service to discuss their responsibilities and challenges as provided under the law. a subsequent meeting will be held with the other stakeholders and finally a joint meeting bringing all the stakeholders together to strategies on ways to effectively work together towards achieving the effective implementation of the ACJL in Ekiti State.
by FIDAPartnerships and Collaborations
FIDA LAGOS since this lockdown, has been collaborating with the police, WAPA, especially the director in charge of domestic violence, Mrs. Olorufemi, Domestic & Sexual Violence Response Team (DSVRT) and other NGOs like STAND TO END RAPE(STER) INITIATIVE etc. on GBV cases.
Ekiti branch is in collaboration with the Gender Desk Officer of the Nigerian Police Force Ekiti, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, the S.A. Gender to the Wife of the Governor and some other partners to deal with all cases of GBV during this pandemic.
FIDA OYO enjoys the partnership of the Child Protection Network(CPN), Oyo State GBVRT, NAWOJ, MWAN, JDPC and some other bodies.
FIDA AKWA-IBOM and TARABA are part of their State’s COVID-19 CSOs team to help in sensitizing the public and reporting challenges caused by the pandemic.
FIDA BAYELSA also enjoy good synergy with the Governor’s wife and the Police in curbing GBV cases.
FIDA CROSS RIVER in collaboration with other CSOs have held a virtual meeting proposing measures on how to assist the Ministry of Women Affairs to deal with GBV cases during this pandemic.