by FIDAFIDA Re-affirms Mandate at the Suleja Custodial Centre
On the 18th of April 2023, the branch led by the Chairperson, Chibuzo M. Nwosu visited female inmates of the Suleja Custodial Centre, Niger State.
The visit was made to secure the release of a female inmate whose fine was paid by the branch as part of her mandate and activities and also to commemorate the golden jubilee (50th birthday) of Mrs. Sarah Dejo.
The outing was graced with the presence of the Country Vice President (FIDA Nigeria), Mrs. Amina Susana Agbaje and notable members of the branch.
The Chairperson of the Branch, Chibuzo M. Nwosu, said that the visit was a success owing to the show of support of members from the three branches which include FIDA Gwagwalada, Niger State and Abuja chapters.
She however advised governments and NGOs to continue to show support by ensuring that the Correctional Service Centres and inmates were in proper conditions.
The Chairperson, FIDA Correctional Service Centre Committee, Dr. Rosemary Chikwendu, while stating the plan to reach out to sponsors to pay all outstanding fines of the inmates, said the visit was made out of love and to celebrate Mrs. Sarah Dejo’s 50th birthday.
According to the Committee Chair, “Reaching the Court, part of the compensation will be paid, but as inmates, you must be of good behaviour so that we can recommend you like the person that was recommended today”.
She advised the inmates to ensure they learn the various skills being taught in the Correctional Centre as it could be useful to them in life and be of good behavior.
The Chairperson of FIDA Gwagwalada, Prof. Josephine Agbonika SAN, reiterated that good behaviour counts as it helps in the release of the inmates from the Centre.
She however advised the inmates to abide by the rules of the Centre, saying it is not the end of the world.
Responding on behalf of other female inmates, Nene Odinze, appreciated the women lawyers for their donations and appealed for their support by providing educational materials like textbooks and notebooks as some of the inmates will enroll for WAEC and JAMB.
At the end of the visit, items such as Provisions, Sanitary Towels, Bags of Rice, Toilet Rolls, Detergents, Izals and Toothpaste, were donated by the branch.
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 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 FIDAFIDA 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 FIDAFIDA 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 FIDAFIDA 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 FIDAFIDA 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 FIDAFIDA 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 FIDAFIDA 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 FIDAFIDA 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.
