By Correspondent in Lokoja
The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Nigeria), has restated its commitment to protecting, promoting and preserving the rights of woman and children by providing free legal representation and advice to survivors of Rape and other Gender-based Violence (GBV).
FIDA Nigeria made the call in a statement jointly signed by its National President/Country Vice President, Mrs Rhoda Prevail Tyoden, and its National Publicity Secretary, Mrs Eliana Martins in Lokoja.
The statement was read at a news conference in Lokoja by the Chairperson of FIDA in Kogi, Ajuma Lilian Okolo, to mark this year’s ”16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence (GBV)”, with the theme: “Orange the World: Fund, Respond, Prevent, Collect”.
According to Okolo, FIDA Nigeria remains committed to protecting, promoting and preserving the rights of woman and children, adding that it will continue to provide free legal representation and advice to survivors of Rape.
The two officials said:”FIDA Nigeria joins the world in commemorating the annual 16 Days Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) with a lineup of several activities, commencing from 25th November to 10th December 2020.
”This year has been a challenging year in the world with the Covid-19 Pandemic and then in Nigeria came the #EndSARS/Police Brutality protests which resulted in crises and curfews nationwide causing further distress to the vulnerable in society.
”In all of this, FIDA Nigeria acted in line with the theme for this year – we Funded, supported Programs, responded to calls, and strived to Prevent all forms of GBV against the vulnerable in society.”
FIDA stressed that ending gender-based discrimination and violence remained a global priority that requiring collective action, as the world marked this year’s 16 days of Activism against gender-based violence,
They enjoined all stakeholders to play active part in the sensitization, prevention, protection and enforcement to ensure the Elimination of these ills in the society.
”This call is imperative as the rate of violence has escalated, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and other related reasons, reports clearly show an alarming increase in the already existing pandemic of violence against women and children.
”The UN Secretary-General in delivering his report on, “Shared Responsibility, Global Solidarity: Responding to the socio-economic impacts of COVID-19″ stated that” Accompanying the crisis has been a spike in domestic violence reporting, at exactly the time that services, including rule of law, health and shelters, are being diverted to address the pandemic,” they added.
According to them, FIDA Nigeria, in its bid to curb the high rate of GBV during the lockdown, engaged in different programmes, ranging from press releases/conference, advocacy visits to Attorney Generals, IGP & Media Houses), sensitizations, Rallies and social media campaigns.
They added that FIDA was putting together a project to provide access of justice at the grassroots level for victims of Genderbased violence by training paralegals.
The duo called on the support of the Federal and State Governments to fund the project in addition to the establishment of Gender Desks at police stations and the Ministry of Justice with trained personnel for accelerated treatment of cases.
”We insist on the implementation of all legislation related to gender-based violence,” they said.
The Chairperson of FIDA in Kogi state, Ajuma Lilian Okolo, had earlier led other state executive members on a sensitisation road show, which kicked-off at Ganaja junction, Lokoja.
The Reporters, an online publication reports that the group subsequently visited Stagi Cornerstone Orphanage at Yekope Christian Ministries, Adankolo Lokoja, where they donated items such as rice, indomie, clothes, toys, toiletries, disinfectant, detergent, shoes, among others.
Mrs Clara Owoshaga,who received the items on behalf of the orphanage, commended FIDA for the gesture, especially toward the orphans in the society and urged other groups and individuals to emulate FIDA.
It was also an emotional visit as the children prayed God to reward the group more abundantly.
Other FIDA Kogi executive at the event were: Secretary, Kemi Omeiza Usman; Treasurer, Brenda Maisaje; PRO, Bimbo Adedeji; Asst Sec., Mercy Tseja; and Zonal representative of FIDA( National), Mrs Tina Tim’s Ejiga and other members.
