by FIDAFIDA 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.
by FIDAFIDA 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.
by FIDAFIDA 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
by FIDALagos 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.
by FIDAFIDA 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.
by FIDAFIDA Nigeria, Lagos State Branch Trains CSOs on National Action Plan on Gender and Government’s Accountability for Budget Allocation
FIDA Nigeria, Lagos State branch on July 6th and 7th , 2020 held her Capacity building workshop on training of CSOs on the National Action Plan on Gender and Government’s Accountability for Budget Allocation and Release, and Monitoring of the Budget Utilisation.
The keynote speaker Mrs Josephine Effah-Chukwuma a leading Activist on gender based violence and women’s human rights in Nigeria and currently the Executive Director of Project Alert on Violence against women and support victims in Nigeria, stressed on the basic objective of the training, which was on how to hold the Government’s accountable for budget allocation and release, monitoring of the budget’s utilization and Gender Responsive Budgeting for VAWG/GBV/HP.
by FIDAFIDA Nigeria in collaboration with the Spotlight Initiative host a training of CSOs on the provisions of National Action Plan on Gender in the FCT
As part of efforts to grow and sustain partnerships in the fight against Sexual and Gender based violence, the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Nigeria Abuja branch implemented a two-part Spotlight Initiative project targeted at training other Civil Society Organizations on the following:
a. Concept of Gender Based Violence, which held on the 23rd of June 2020. The training addressed salient issues on gender based violence, reproductive health rights and considered all relevant applicable laws. In attendance were FHI 360, DEVATOP, LEDAP.
b. Provisions on the National Action Plan on gender and government’s accountability for budget allocation and release and monitoring of the budget utilization. This held on the 10th of July 2020. In attendance were WRAPA, WLI, SGBVRT, SOAR.
by FIDAJustice M. L Bello Commissions FIDA Kaduna Legal Clinic and Counselling Centre
The Hon. Chief Judge of Kaduna State Hon Justice M. L Bello, Commissions FIDA Kaduna Legal Clinic and Counselling Centre, donated to FIDA by Jam’iyyar Matan Arewa in company of the former A.G Kaduna State Mrs. Joana Kadiya, the Controller of Corrections Kaduna State Command and the Chairman NBA Kaduna Branch S.A Audu.
by FIDACP SOKOTO PLEDGES SUPPORT TO FIGHT AGAINST SEXUAL AND GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE
The Sokoto State Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Sani Ka’oje on the 11th of June 2020, received a delegation of International Federation of Women lawyers (FIDA), Sokoto branch at the State Police Headquarters. In her remarks, the chairperson of the delegation Mrs. Aishatu Abdullahi Illo, stated that the federation aims to advance and promote rights of children and women, however, the purpose of the visit was to advocate for reforms, regarding gender-based violence and rape considering the rising spate of the menace in the country.
In his response, the CP thanked the team for the timely visit in the wake of calls to end all forms of sexual and gender-based violence nationwide. He added that such cases have drastically been reduced in the state, following his zero tolerance for sexual and gender-based violence upon assumption of office. He further urged the delegation to step up their quest to involve governments at all levels and well-meaning individuals with a common goal. The CP finally pledged support to fight against sexual and gender-based violence, also charged the delegation to review legal frameworks to enable curtailment of rampant divorces and to cater for divorced women.
Also speaking, DC SCID, DCP Charles Mozie emphasized on the need to enlighten families of rape victims to support investigations and cushion psychological effects on victims, he equally called for diligent administration of criminal justice.
by FIDAFIDA Edo embarked on a peaceful protest walk against SGBV.
FIDA Edo State Branch in collaboration with other professional bodies, CSOs and NGOs organized a peaceful protest walk against the incessant rape, defilement and all forms of violence against women and children.
FIDA Edo Chairperson, Iryn Omorogiuwa and leaders of other bodies held a press conference to decry the increasing rate of Sexual and Gender Based Violence.
The peaceful protest walk started from FIDA Edo Secretariat to Ministry of Justice where the Honourable Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice Prof. Yinka Omorogbe received and addressed the protesters and subsequently joined the protest to Edo State the House of Assembly where the Speaker of Edo State House of Assembly Rt. Hon. Frank Okiye received and addressed all protesters.
The protesters requested for the implementation of the VAPP law, Child’s Rights Law and other related laws and also demanded for a special court to prosecute Sexual offence cases and other related offences.
Further request was made on Mr. Speaker to make budgetary provisions for NGOs and CSOs who work with survivors of sexual assaults.
The Honourable Speaker Edo State House of Assembly and the Honourable Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice Edo State assured everyone that they will put all machinery in place to facilitate the amendments of these laws as quickly as possible as its implementation will curb cases of rape and all forms of violence against Women and Children.
#NoToRape
#Notogenderbasedviolence
#JusticeForUwa
#JusticeForAll
#NoToChildAbuse