by FIDADay Against Child Labour: FIDA Ondo Alongside Other Stakeholders Advocate Strengthening Of Social Protection System For Children
By OLUFISOYE ADENITAN
As the world celebrates International day against child labour with the theme ‘Universal social protection to end child labour’, Stakeholders have called for concerted efforts to improve social protection system for children.
According to United Nations, over 160 million children are still being used for labour, some as young as 5yrs.
Some stakeholders who spoke with Positive FM in Akure Ondo state were of the view that the figure was still high and worrisome hence the need for government to strengthen the social protection system to fight poverty, vulnerability and prevent child labour.
One of the stakeholders, the chairperson of the International Federation of Women Lawyers, FIDA, Ondo State, Mrs Jumoke Ogunjebi opined that eradication of child labour required a systemic approach and effective policies to strengthen the education system and also guarantee a decent workplace for parents and caregivers to address the conditions that drive child labour.
Mrs Ogunjebi explained that laws had been put in place by the Ondo state government to protect children against being used for labour.
Similarly, Mrs Folasade Bamigboye of the Kids &Teens Resource Centre Akure emphasized that child protection against labour should be taken seriously by the government to reduce the increasing criminal activities some children were regularly exposed to even at a tender age.
Mrs Bamigboye submitted that the government needed to ensure the implementation of policies and programmes aimed at fighting child labour in the country.
by FIDAFIDA Edo Marks Her 2022 Law Week, pushes for an End to GBV
The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Edo State Branch has kicked against gender-based violence (GBV), as statistics from the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) showed that of its 1,059 cases in court, 205 pertained to GBV cases with 4-10 of such cases originating from Police case files.
Declaring the FIDA week open with the theme, “Changing the Narrative of Gender-Based Violence: A Multidimensional Approach, “Chief Judge, Edo State, Hon. Justice Joe Acha represented by Justice Geraldine Ono Imadegbelo said violence against women, girls, and children should be treated under the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law. He called on all facets of the justice system to look into and correct the rationale for giving life imprisonment to a single perpetrator of rape but handing over twenty-year imprisonment for those involved in gang rape which was a more grievous offense.
The DPP, Kingsley Odabi Esq while reeling out data at its resource stated that there was a geometric rise in the pattern of offense with cases of parents violating female children; adults and grandfathers violating children 3years old and less prevalent in society hence the recommendation to stop GBV through his call for a gender management system to be put in place; Liaising with the legislature to enact laws passed; empowerment of women in all the Ministries, Department, and Agencies (MDA’s); Getting Judges to buy into the FIDA campaigns and endorse such; Development on the education curriculum to focus on raised lapses to effect corrections.
Earlier in her welcome address to stakeholders, legal luminaries and representatives of organizations, CSO’s, NGO’s and the media at the FIDA occasion, Chairperson Edo FIDA, Mrs. Violet Oghogho Olumese stated that apart from counseling and rendering Pro bono services to indigents, FIDA was poised to change the narrative in incidents of GBV through reliance on the VAPP Law as domesticated in Edo State in 2021. She urged stakeholders to ventilate and come up with solutions that could help at curbing the Hydra-headed monster ravaging society,
In her keynote address,” Changing the narrative of gender-based violence, multimedia approach, ” former FIDA Chairperson and Permanent Secretary (PS) Ministry of Art and Culture, Iryn Omorogiuwa quoting world statistics on GBV stated that every minute one out of three women gets abused. She said this was accompanied by other forms of dehumanization and a lack of respect for the women folks, especially on issues relating to traditional practices and human trafficking in which women are the main culprits who violate the rights of other women.
Apart from cyber bullying which she frowned at for its ability to tilt victims over the edge leading to suicide, she also mentioned family laws governing inheritance which she observed sent wrong signals which engendered violence and harassment hence the call to participants to look beyond the justice sector by making personal efforts to change perception through restoring, reintegrating victims of GBV in society and creating a zero violence state.
She, therefore, called for the regulation and control of money in circulation, empowerment of youths, and prescription of maximum punishment for perpetrators of GBV, also, blowing the cover of perpetrators from the point of arrest to conviction to serve as a deterrent to others.
Professor Evelyn Uwa Edosomwan presented the paper, “Resolving the concept of feminism and gender equality in contemporary Nigeria while Professor Job Okhioma Odion presented the paper, ” An assessment of the legal framework for engendering women participation in politics in Nigeria which was closely followed by discussion segments and a robust question and answer session.
by FIDAFIDA Adamawa Capacity Building Workshop on Gender Responsive Budgeting
FIDA Nigeria conducted a two-day United Nations Spotlight Initiative (UNSI) Inception meeting and Training workshop on Gender Responsive Budgeting in Adamawa on the 31st of May and 1st of June 2022.
The objective of the workshop was to provide knowledge to target participants (Women and Girls Rights groups/Advocates, CSOs, etc) on the UNSI project, also to share knowledge on the concept of GRB, how the (participants) are involved, and their commitments towards achieving a state gender-responsive budget through advocacy.
by FIDAFIDA Plateau Celebrates Children’s Day 2022.
FIDA Plateau led by the Chairperson, Mrs. Ngozi Obioma Achilefu paid a visit to Methodist Primary school, beside EBOMI, Jos North to commemorate Children’s Day on the 27th day of May 2022.
The Chairperson talked on the topic _” Children the building blocks of the Nation.”_ She admonished the pupils to stay away from vices such as stealing and having sexual relationships which will deter them from attaining their goals. She also encouraged them to speak in the face of rape and other acts of violence committed against them or their loved ones as FIDA is always ready to defend them.
The Vice-Chairperson, Mrs. Felicia Emeruwa admonished them to stay away from drug abuse.
The Headmistress expressed gratitude to FIDA for choosing the school for this laudable event and prayed that God will continue to bless all FIDA’Sendeavours.
To round up the visit, there was dance and refreshments for pupils and their teachers.
by FIDAFIDA Badagry Commemorates Children’s Day 2022
FIDA Badagry, In commemoration of Children’s Day on the 30th of May 2022, celebrated with the students at Excellent Simmy Secondary School, 4th Avenue, Festac Town In Amuwo-Odofin Lga Lagos.
The management, staff, and children were sensitized on the need to stop all forms of Child abuse which include Physical abuse, Sexual abuse, Child Trafficking, Rape, Discrimination, Child-abduction, denial of basic education, Sexual Harassment, Dehumanization treatment, to mention but a few. There was a teaching on ‘Female genital mutilation as another form of violence against the Girl Child. The student were also taught to always report every form of abuse and to say a capital ‘NO’ to such and to exercise their rights at all times.
by FIDAFIDA Lagos Capacity Building Workshop on Gender Responsive Budgeting
On 31st May and 1st June 2022, FIDA Nigeria, Lagos State Branch with the support of UN Women on the Spotlight Initiative Project Phase II, held an inception meeting and capacity building workshop for civil society organization’s in Lagos State on gender-responsive budgeting.
The Program Manager of FIDA Nigeria Mr. Fikih Obaro the Facilitator discussed extensively the overview of the National Action Plan on GBV, and the overview of the National and Local legislation on GBV.
He also stressed that GRB does not mean dividing government expenditure 50:50 between women and men. Instead, they look at the budget from a gender perspective to analyze how it will meet and respond to the unique needs of everyone, including women and men, girls and boys. It was indeed an eventful outing
by FIDAFIDA Eket Marks World Menstrual Hygiene Day 2022
The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA Nigeria) Eket Branch ably led by her Chairperson Mojisola Tijani Esq marked the Menstrual Hygiene Day with a visit to three Secondary schools in Eket Senatorial District.
The schools who benefited from this visit were:
Community Secondary School Oruko
Comprehensive high school Okossi both in Urue Offong/Oruko local Government Area and Infant Jesus model Secondary School Oron in Oron Local Government Area.
Partnering with FIDA Eket on the mission tagged #PAD A GIRL was VIFADAD Medical Mission, the team was led by Mrs Comfort Umoren, a Registered Nurse who educated the young girls on menstrual hygiene management during and after their menstrual period.
The FIDA Eket Chairperson spoke extensively on the theme “To create a world where no woman or girl is held back because they menstruate by 2030”
The Chairman NBA Eket branch, Gloria Etim Esq in attendance also threw more light through personal experience on how to manage and care for oneself during menstruation.
The visit was a remarkable one as the girls were enriched with vital information on menstrual hygiene and about 1000 pads were distributed.
by FIDAFIDA Ondo Celebrates Children’s Day 2022
FIDA Ondo on the 26th of May 2022, visited the Ondo State Special School for the Hearing Impaired to celebrate the 2022 Children’s Day.
They were enlightened on the ills of Bullying, as a means of guaranteeing a safer and a better environment for every Nigeria child to thrive
It was a huge experience, especially having to communicate with sign interpretation. The children were very happy and some members of the branch also learnt a few signs.
by FIDAFIDA Oyo Commemorates Children’s Day 2022
FIDA Oyo on the 27th of May, 2022 sensitized the Pupils of Command Children School in Ibadan on the subject of Child Abuse to commemorate Children’s day 2022
The children were educated on the effects of abuse and steps to take when violated. the children responded by singing a song as to what their reaction will be when touched by an abuser
FIDA Oyo has made it part of it’s duty to ensure that children are aware of the Violence Against Person’s Prohibition Law in Oyo State.
The Branch believes that the decay in the society can be prevented if children are properly educated/ sensitized on the dangers of every form of abuses; (domestic violence and rape e.t.c)
by FIDAFIDA Abuja Celebrates Children’s Day 2022
FIDA Nigeria, Abuja branch on the 26th of May 2022 in a delegation led by the Chairperson Miss Chibuzo M. Nwosu, went on an Advocacy visit to Life Gate Academy Wuye, Abuja in commemoration of the Children’s Day celebration 2022
The Chairperson enlightened the children on key provisions of the VAPP ACT as it affects their rights and well-being such as Rape, Female Genital Mutilation, and Injury to Persons with particular emphasis on the adverse effects of bullying.
To cap the visit, the children asked certain pertinent questions as the Chairperson and other members present answered them accordingly. Copies of the VAPP Act were gifted to the school for the use of the children.
