
FIDA Nigeria held a project inception meeting in Gyel community, Jos South LGA of Plateau State.
The meeting which was held on Monday, the 19th of October, 2020 had all representatives of the community’s gatekeepers present among which was the Wife to the Local Government Man Jos South, Mrs. Patience Dachung who represented the Local Government Chairman.
The meeting commenced at about 1pm with a welcome/opening remark from the Branch’s Chairperson who in her remark urged the Stakeholders to cease the project’s intervention and make all necessary change and improvement around social norms that affects women, girls and the community as a whole.
A collaborative discussion session was held where Stakeholders were allowed to deliberate on their understanding of the project and what promotes Gender Based Violence in the community.
These issues alongside those that came up during the advocacy visits were adopted by the Stakeholders as areas where they are willing to tackle through the project’s intervention and the technical support of FIDA.
A surveillance team was established to serve as the eyes and ears on arising gender based issues around the community and escalate it to FIDA.
Stakeholders showed commitment to support the project. The wife to LG Chairman also assured FIDA of the backings of the Local Government Council in achieving the objectives of the project.

FIDA 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.

FIDA Rivers Hosts a Stakeholders’ Meeting on the Administration of the Criminal Justice Law
FIDA Nigeria, Rivers state branch with support from MacArthur Foundation organised a 4 day stakeholders meeting with the Bar, Bench, Police Force and Correctional Services to review the provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL) of Rivers state and the challenges faced by each stakeholder in implementing the law, as well as create an environment to enable networking to ensure effective implementation.
Justice Fiberesima

FIDA Abuja, Conducts a One Day Training for CSOs and Senior Government officials on Gender Responsive Budgeting
As part of the United Nations Spotlight Initiative (UNSI) project activities, FIDA Abuja organised a one day training for senior government officials and Civil Society organizations in the FCT on Gender Responsive Budgeting, today the 10th of September 2020.
Participants were trained on responsive budgeting and impact of poor funding on women while also analyzing budget programmes from gender perspectives. There were group tasks and presentations and the group adopted an advocacy plan to promote increased budget allocation on gender and to track compliance to gender responsive budgeting

FIDA Conducts Capacity Building Session for Community Paralegals in Jahi, Abuja
FIDA Nigeria with the support of ActionAid and funding from Global Affairs Canada held a three day training of community paralegals in Jahi community in the FCT. The training was aimed at building the capacity of community paralegals and creating awareness of SGBV as it affects the community.
Part of the training included an exposition of the VAPP Act in its simplified version to enable
paralegals understand and relate adequately to its provisions towards responding to cases of SGBV in the community.
#NigerianWomenMatter
#CanadaDevNG

FIDA BAUCHI TO PARTNER with NIGERIAN CORRECTIONAL SERVICES IN ASSISTING FEMALE INMATES IN BAUCHI
The International Federation of Female Lawyers (FIDA) has indicated its readiness to partner with the Nigerian Correctional Service towards assisting female inmates in Custodial Centers in Bauchi.
This was disclosed by the newly constituted executives of FIDA Bauchi Branch led by its Chairperson, Barr. Fatima Abubakar during their courtesy visit to the Controller of Corrections Bauchi State Command, CCS Suleiman T. Suleiman in his Office on the 6th of August,2020.
Barr. Fatima Abubakar noted that FIDA was newly inaugurated in Bauchi for the purpose of addressing issues pertaining to women and children in the State, being that NCoS is a critical stakeholder, FIDA is set to partner with the Service with the aim of intervening on issues relating to female inmates, adding that the organization intends to visit all the Custodial Centers in the State so as to study the plight of female inmates with a view to addressing them where necessary,
In his remarks, the Controller of Corrections, Bauchi State Command, Suleiman T. Suleiman, commended FIDA Bauchi Branchi for the visit and assured them of his support for the successful implementation of their programs.
The Controller advised them to look into the rising cases of rape in the State, as well as debts related cases amongst women which mostly brings them to detention facilities and to also have or conduct a forum where Area Court Judges will be enlightened and encouraged to refer parties to settle out of court without having to be taking in for detention.

FIDA Cross River Trains CSOs, Senior Government officials and Parliamentarians on Gender Responsive Budgeting
FIDA Nigeria, Cross River State branch held a training on August 4, 2020 for CSOs, senior government officials and parliamentarians on Gender Responsive Budgeting held at the Chamber of the Cross River State House of Assembly . At the occasion, FIDA and her network of CSOs put forward a set of Advocacy Asks aimed at achieving gender equality and the socio-economic well being of women and girls.

FIDA Nigeria Congratulates the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) For A Successful Election
The International Federation of Women Lawyers congratulates the Nigerian Bar Association ably led by the NBA National President Mr. Paul Usoro SAN, and his entire team, who worked hard to ensure a successful National General Elections for the NBA. We appreciate the efficient service provided ensuring a successful conduct of the election.
Furthermore, we congratulate the President-Elect Mr. Olumide Akpata & indeed all the highly distinguished elected officers of the just concluded NBA National General Elections. We look forward to a Greater Better Bar based on the beautiful promises you all made during campaigns. You must, as visionary leaders hit the ground running to accomplish the mission.
FIDA Nigeria in addition specially congratulates Mrs. Joyce Oduah FICMC who has made history as the second female lawyer to be elected as the Scribe of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) after Hairat Ade-Balogun (Life Bencher) who became the first female NBA General Secretary 39 years ago
Post Elections, we acknowledge that the elections were keenly contested following a lot of intrigues during the campaigns leading up to the elections. But in the spirit of good sportsmanship we encourage all parties to put the past behind and join hands to support the Bar move forward; united we stand tall and can accomplish all things for the general good of the profession and all.
FIDA is poised to support the NBA in achieving the association’s objectives. As key stakeholders and collaborators we stress that we desire a proactive, highly interactive, efficient, progressive, courageous, resourceful and inclusive Bar, doing great things professionally in the interest of ALL her members.
God bless you and grant you all great success as you serve passionately and diligently.
Congratulations & Kudos NBA!
Rhoda Prevail Tyoden
Country Vice President
FIDA Nigeria
Eliana Martins
National Publicity Secretary
FIDA Nigeria

Lagos State Ministry of Economic and Budget Planning, received delegates from FIDA Lagos
The Lagos State Ministry of Economic and Budget Planning received the delegates from FIDA Lagos, who paid a courtesy/advocacy visit to the Commissioner, on the 28 July, 2020. The delegates, while reiterating the core objectives of FIDA and other works done by FIDA Lagos on advocacy, continuous legal education, public sensitization programs on the rights of women and children including legislative reforms, informed the Commissioner of the ongoing project by FIDA National titled “United Nations Spotlight Initiative” in partnership with UN Women.
The project seeks to respond to all forms of violence against women and girls, with particular focus on Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and Harmful Practices (HP), beaming its spotlight on existential issues, with the view of achieving gender parity and women empowerment, in line with the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.
The Commissioner was commended on the giant strides achieved by the ministry and was invited to be part of the workshop on Training of Parliamentarians on Gender Responsive Budgeting in August, 2020 to discuss effective gender responsive budget allocation and implementation in Lagos State.
Finally, FIDA Lagos urged the Honorable Commissioner to encourage more gender responsive budgeting including ensuring adequate allocation of funds to the education system, particularly, the primary and secondary schools to take care of the welfare of Children and in all spheres of the economy as the process makes it possible to identify uneven distribution of funds and overcome gender gaps in the polity.

FIDA Nigeria Inaugurates her 34th branch
On the 23rd July 2020, FIDA Nigeria Inaugurated her 34th branch, FIDA Nigeria Bauchi State Branch. The occasion was attended by His Excellency (Senator) Bala Mohammed, Governor Bauchi State and his wife the First Lady- Her Excellency Hajiya Aishatu Bala Mohammed, the Country Vice President FIDA Nigeria Rhoda Prevail Tyoden, Deputy Country Vice President Amina Agbaje alongside FIDA members. It was indeed a great success.