
Day 2: NEC Meeting
Day 2 of the FIDA NEC Meeting which held in Anambra State on the 27th of May 2021, started with an intriguing and educative Leadership training session on “Organizational Effectiveness” presented by the National Secretary, FIDA Nigeria – Mrs. Evelyn Asimiea.
Furthermore, in commemoration of the 2021 Children’s Day Celebration, members thereafter visited the Faith Community Children’s Home to add some cheer and excitement in celebrating the children there.
The major highlight of the evening was the beautiful cultural display and presentations by the different Fida branches; it truly proved very colorful and entertaining

FIDA Abuja Visit’s Orphanage home in Karu, FCT
In celebration of Nigerian Children on this day which is an annual event on May 27th and in continuation of the Law Week of the International Federation of Women Lawyers- FIDA (Nigeria) Abuja Branch, as part of FIDA’s mandate to children, paid a visit to the Orphanage home in Karu, FCT. The home at the material time has 67 children with the youngest being a 2 months old baby.
FIDA Abuja celebrated the children’s day with them by donating gifts which included several boxes of clothes, shoes, foodstuffs, toiletries, diapers, etc all donated by members of the Branch. Also, enlightened them about their rights as enshrined in the Child Rights Act.

DAY 1: FIDA Nigeria NEC Meeting
FIDA Nigeria, at the first quarter meeting of the National Executive Committee, in Anambra State on the 26th of May, 2021; held a review and appraisal session of its 5-year strategic plan. The session was chaired by the National Secretary, FIDA Nigeria- Mrs. Evelyn Asimiea. Representatives of states’ branches were present at the session. Thereafter, it was followed by a cocktail party.

FIDA Abuja Visit to Suleija Correctional Centre
FIDA (Nigeria) Abuja Branch commenced her 2021 Law Week on the 20th of May with a visit to the Suleja Correctional Centre where a free legal Clinic for 31 female inmates comprising of 3 nursing mothers (with 3 toddlers) and 1 pregnant woman was conducted. Welfare packages comprising of toiletries, beverages, diapers, clothing items, foodstuffs, etc. were also distributed.

FIDA Nigeria held a capacity-building workshop at Obadore community, Alimosho Local Government Area, Lagos State
FIDA Nigeria, Lagos State branch, with the support of Ford Foundation, held a capacity building workshop themed, “Elimination of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) through effective implementation of the VAPP ACT 2015 and the Protection Against Domestic Violence law of the State 2007” at Obadore community, Alimosho Local Government Area, Lagos State on the 5th of May, 2021.
Highlights of the workshop were discussions on sexual violence, discriminatory traditional or cultural practices in the community and provisions in the VAPP Act and Lagos State Domestic Violence Law that outlines punitive measures for perpetrators

FIDA Conducts a 2-day Training Workshop on Elimination of GBV in Plateau State
On the 3rd and 4th of May 2021, FIDA Plateau, with the support of Ford Foundation, successfully implemented a 2-day Stakeholders workshop themed, “Elimination of Sexual and Gender-based Violence through Effective Implementation of the VAPP Act 2015 and other related Laws Protecting the Rights of Women and Girls in Plateau State”, Bukuru Gyel Community, Jos South L.G.A of Plateau State.
Outcomes of the workshop using stakeholders feedback methods include:
*An increased awareness of women’s rights.
*An improved awareness of GBV issues in relation to cultural, religious, and social practices within the community.
*A realization by stakeholders who doubles as the community’s gatekeepers on the need to promote attitudinal change within the community.
The Workshop spurred the need to generate strategies to mitigate acts of GBV within the community. A Gyel Community GBV Advocate Team was formed as a reinforcement to the Surveillance Team that was established earlier on the project.
In addition, the team developed an action plan to serve as a guide towards the actualization of ending the menace of GBV and the improvement of women’s rights within the community.

FIDA Abia Sensitization Visit to Ohafia LGA of Abia State
On the 25th day of March 2021, FIDA Nigeria Abia State branch with support from MacArthur Foundation went on a community sensitization outreach to Asaga community, in Ohafia LGA of Abia State, on the provisions of the Administrative of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015 using the simplified IGBO version
This intervention was to sensitize 40 members of the community, mostly indigent women on the existence and key provisions of the ACJA.

FIDA Abuja Sensitization Visit to Kuje Area Council
On the 18th of March, 2021, FIDA Nigeria, Abuja Branch with support from MacArthur Foundation undertook a community sensitization outreach on the provisions of the Administrative of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015 using the simplified English version at Kuje Area Council.
40 participants were drawn from various communities in Kuje Area Council majority of whom were women.
The FIDA Abuja team was led by the Chairperson: Rekia R. Adejo-Andrew who took the participants through the Act using the simplified English version as the teaching aid.
Participants demonstrated their understanding by asking very relevant questions.

FIDA OSUN CELEBRATES IWD
FIDA Osun State paid a courtesy visit to the wife of the Executive Governor of Osun State Her Excellency Mrs. Kafayat Olaitan Oyetola in Commemoration of the International Women’s Day.
#IWD2021
#ChooseToChallenge

FIDA Nigeria Applauds The Governor Of Nasarawa State As He Swears-In First Female Acting Chief Judge Of The State
The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Nigeria, applauds the Nasarawa State Governor, His Excellency Abdullahi Sule on his appointment of the first female acting Chief Judge of the state.
FIDA Nigeria commends the Governor for compliance with the constitutional requirement and for acceding to the recommendation of the JSC and calls on other states to emulate this.
FIDA Nigeria congratulates and celebrates Hon. Justice Aisha Bashir-Aliyu for her appointment as the first female Acting Chief Judge (CJ) of the state; whilst also encouraging her to showcase her sterling qualities for the greater benefit of the society.
We similarly seize this opportunity to also congratulate all women recently elevated to the Bench in the different states.
FIDA Nigeria desires greater acceleration to the process of gender parity. Therefore, we see these appointments as great steps in the right direction being that we all have a role to play in creating this desired balance in the different structures and institutions in society.
Parity is paramount so society can function at its optimum, and be beneficial to all across the board.
FIDA in promoting and advocating for the protection and preservation of the rights of women and children, urgently calls on other states and indeed the Federal Government to emulate this noble act and ensure that women are more actively involved in governance in Nigeria.
Rhoda Prevail Tyoden
Country Vice President/National President
FIDA Nigeria
Eliana Martins
National Publicity Secretary
FIDA Nigeria