ACCOLADES: FIDA Lagos, passionate in the crusade against gender based violence (GBV)

By Elizabeth Emenike

The Lagos State Branch of the Federacion Internacionale De Abogadas == International Federation of Women Lawyers, ((FIDA) has harped on the need for protection of vulerable gender/ group in the society,(Women, children and persons living with disabilities) following recurring cases of sexual offences.

In a statement jointly signed by FIDA Lagos chairperson, Mrs Philomena Nneji and its Public Relations Officer, Mrs Abimbola Jack Oladugba, said that gender based violence is a global phenomenon, which has now become a challenging social problem.

While x-raying some of the measures put in place by FIDA Lagos to champion the crusade against gender violence, Nneji urged relevant stakeholders to drive home effective implementation of existing laws, Project "sex offenders register and make it functional like in the western world, to serve as deterrent to sex offenders.


*On FIDA's perception about gender based violence , Nneji said*

"Violence is a global phenomenon, a challenging social problem and there is no gainsaying that gender based violence has been on the increase with devastating effects on people. This is very disheartening and worrisome indeed.

"FIDA sees it as an urgent call for action, knowing fully well that our core objectives includes: to protect, promote and preserve the rights and interests of indigent and vulnerable members of the society, especially women and children,"

*On its move to secure government's intervention FIDA Chairperson said*

"It is pertinent to note that, over the years, FIDA declared zero tolerance against Gender Based Violence and all forms of Violence and have been working hard towards ending the heinious crime.

"We are so pained about the horrifying increase of the social menace! Precisely last year after the lockdown, FIDA branches all over the Federation, matched to the States Houses of Assembly, Government houses, Senate and House of Representatives to cry out to the authorities to be proactively responsive, live up to espectations to punish pepetrators and offenders through an effective implementation of the existing laws in this regards, institutionalize enhanced enforcement mechanism, while addressing the root causes will possibly work towards ending the baberic act," she said

*The Association also shares some of its measures undertaken to curb sexual menaces*


"FIDA Lagos have been carrying out massive awareness campaigns in communities like Alimosho, Ikorodu, Ikeja, Yaba, Ojodu etc.

"We trained paralegals in these communities to be of help. Sensitised and engaged community leaders and their subjects, faith based organizations and Schools outreaches to enlighten students, teachers and children on their rights, the Law and the prevention of the problem.

"We collaborate with other reputable NGOs, the Media and Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation ( WAPA) to address this nagging issue..

"We provide pro bono services, render free Legal representations. and we hold weekly legal clinics at our Secretariat on Thursdays.

"We use jingles in different local languages and radio and TV live programs to reach out to the masses.

"We carry out legislative advocacy, Civic education and trainings on GBV and we even trained UNILAG Law students on gender based violence issues.

"FIDA Lagos in collaboration with Youth Alive Foundation, just concluded another three days training for CSOs on GBV last month.

"On Monday and Tuesday this week, I was in the radio houses of Traffic Radio and Eko Fm with the Zonal Commander of NAPTIP for the same issue of gender based violence, in the area of trafficking in Women and girls for sexual exploitations, forced labour etc. We examined the NAPTIP ACT, VAPP act 2015 and Laws of Lagos State.

"Last year too, we trained the Bar, the Bench as well as the Police and Correctional Services to ensure effective implementation of the Administration of Criminal Justice System under MacAthur Foundation Project.

"FIDA Lagos is the first and the only Women or Female Organization to explore Police Duty Solicitors Scheme (PDSS) Initiative, through which we interface with the Police. We follow cases that are brought to us to logical conclusion.

"Some of the trainings on gender based violence were carried out under UN Women Spotlight Initiative Project.

"We have received and handled lots of cases touching on gender based violence and are still handling same.

"During the lockdown, FIDA Lagos worked closely and synergized with OC Legal of the Police Force, Lagos State Domestic Violence Rapid Response Team and National Human Right Commission Lagos Office to address reportages.

"Other branches of FIDA are doing the same. We will not rest over the social menace because, FIDA is very passionate about Women and children.

"Moreover, violence is anachronistic and baberic. It robbes people of their fundamental human rights to dignity, life, liberty among others" she said.