The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Abuja branch, has announced its intention to collaborate with the media to enhance the communication of its efforts in promoting and protecting the rights of women and children in Nigeria.
The Chairperson of FIDA FCT, Chioma Onyenucheya-Uko made this known during a media parley in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital. She explained that a partnership with the media would enable both organisation to work together in spreading awareness and information about women’s and children’s rights.
“Through this collaboration, FIDA aims to amplify its impact and work toward creating a more just society. We cannot achieve this without the media. The media’s role is essential in educating the public and giving FIDA the visibility needed to keep people informed about the challenges women and children face, including harmful practices. As an organization, FIDA uses its professional expertise to support women and children as a way of contributing positively to society,” Uko said.
The Chairperson also emphasised that the meeting was an opportunity to ensure the media disseminates accurate information and affirmed that FIDA would always be available to provide legal insights whenever needed.
“We hope that this partnership will help focus attention on the issues affecting women and children and combat discriminatory and abusive practices, ensuring their rights and well-being are fully realised,” Uko explained.
On the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act, Uko explained that FIDA has been at the forefront of advocating for the law’s implementation, particularly in providing protection for victims of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). She pointed out that the law, established in 2015, includes provisions for safeguarding victims of violence, even within domestic settings.
Additionally, Uko mentioned that the Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) had introduced a practice direction to support the enforcement of the VAPP Act. This initiative has significantly reduced delays in the court process for SGBV cases, allowing for faster adjudication and a more efficient delivery of justice for survivors.
Looking ahead, Uko outlined FIDA Abuja’s goals for the next three years. These include extending outreach to underrepresented rural communities in the FCT, training law students and paralegals, and enhancing the capacity of FIDA members to respond promptly and appropriately to emerging cases of abuse.
“We also aim to establish stronger connections with tertiary institutions that offer law programs. Our goal is to raise awareness about FIDA among law students, encouraging them to serve as paralegals and future advocates for women and children,” Uko said.
She further underscored the media’s crucial role in raising awareness of societal issues, acting as a bridge between FIDA, victims, and survivors. Uko called for continued media support in the fight to end violence against women and girls.
On behalf of media partners, the Executive Director of Gender Strategy Advancement International (GSAi), Adaora Sydney Jack stressed the importance of professionalism and mutual respect in media coverage of gender issues.
“The media holds the power to shape public narratives, and it is essential that our interactions are based on integrity. We must ensure that sensitive issues like domestic and sexual violence are reported accurately and in a timely manner,” Jack said.
She also highlighted the need for training programmes to equip journalists with the tools to report on gender issues in a respectful and responsible way, avoiding harmful language that can further stigmatize victims.
“We must avoid referring to victims in a way that compounds their trauma, such as using terms like ‘former prostitute’ without understanding the consequences. These training programs will help journalists present gender-based violence stories more sensitively,” Jack emphasised.
The media partners pledged their ongoing support for FIDA’s mission, expressing their commitment to working together to achieve the organisation’s objectives. They also encouraged FIDA’s leadership to remain available for clarification and collaboration whenever needed.
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