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FIDA Annual "Law Week"

FIDA stands for Federacion Internacional de Abogadas, a Spanish phrase meaning International Federation of Women Lawyers. It was founded in 1944, in Mexico by a group of women lawyers from Cuba, El Salvador, Mexico, Puerto Rico and USA, with the objective of promoting women's rights, particularly through their training. Presently this organisation has spread to over 80 member countries of the world and enjoys a Class 2B status at the United Nations.

FIDA Nigeria, which is a chapter of FIDA International, was inaugurated in 1963 as a not-for-profit, non-governmental organization with several branches all over the Federation. However, the Lagos State Branch was just inaugurated in the year 2003 to carry on the laudable projects of the organisation at the State level for her members and residents of Lagos State.

All work is voluntary and humanitarian, with a mission to promote, educate, project, assist and defend the rights of the underprivileged, principally, women and children thereby countering and eliminating any form of discrimination whether cultural, social or legal. The organisation strives to promote the study of Comparative Law and promote the principles and aims of the United Nations in their social and legal aspects.

Activities and Programs:

These include free legal services in our Legal Clinic/Mediation Centre and individual member chambers. Advocacy and sensitization activities on issues affecting women and children and the family in general, education/vocational programmes, humanitarian/philanthropic activities, assistance/collaboration programmes, and social activities.

Through those programs and activities, FIDA Nigeria, Lagos State Branch provides improved access to justice for the civil society as well as counselling, career guidance, orientation programs, sensitisation, visitation, scholarships and enlightenment.

In celebrating of the annual Law Week. Activities Line up and Benefits to Nigerian female lawyers

The theme for FIDA Lagos law Week 2007 is "Fortifying Social Structures towards a Nigerian Renaissance" and activities marked for the FIDA Lagos Law Week 2007 include: a Keynote Address on the theme and the presentation of papers and address by eminent citizens and high-ranking bureaucrats at the apex of the executive, judicial and legislative arms of government; a capacity building workshop for Members of FIDA on current global trends in conflict resolution, tagged "Equipping Gatekeepers". There will also be provision of a special multi-impact pro bono legal services by FIDA members for indigent members of the public at the premises of the four Divisions of the Lagos State High Court i.e. Ikeja, Lagos Island, Ikorodu and Badagry. As well as a Black and White Ball to mark the closing of the Law Week.

This FIDA Law Week, coming in the wake of a brand new political dispensation in Nigeria, we considered our theme very apt and relevant to the process of actualising the Nigeria of our dream. A Nigeria where decency, honesty, the fear of God and positive constructive contributions will be everyone's watchword.

Nigerian Female Lawyers stand to benefit from FIDA Law Week 2007 opportunities to air their views and learn from positive and constructive contributions of other participants' ways of identifying and proffering solutions for change in the present decadent Nigerian social, political and economic structures. The Week is also an opportunity to serve, learn and receive continuous education, to advice, counsel, mediate and represent those in need. It is an opportunity to enjoy interacting and networking between members and the larger society.

FIDA Nigeria, Lagos State Branch has grown slowly and steadily from being the newest FIDA Branch in April, 2003 to one of the most vibrant Branches. Attendance at meetings has increased and, more importantly, positive awareness of its existence and what it does has also increased.

FIDA funding and Impact

FIDA enjoys a tremendous following amongst grass root women". Who wouldn't appreciate the defender and promoter of his/her rights and interests, tell me? Unfortunately, funding is very much a constraint. Largely, FIDA funds its numerous projects principally through the sacrificial donation of her members. Sometimes FIDA partners with Donor Agencies such as the British Council, GHAIN and UNICEF in executing a project they are particularly interested in.

Pro bono legal services to indigent women folk despite Lagos' population and very busy Judiciary.

The provision of the free legal services, includes handling of court cases, mediation and counselling to beneficiaries on matters affecting their rights. Lagos is indeed, very populous and the problems of the urban poor are numerous. However, there is no true service without inconvenience and sacrifice to the one who serves. To the glory of God, FIDA Nigeria, Lagos State Branch, has managed to attend to the needs of those who seek her assistance, in spite of the busy schedules of their members. Recently, FIDA obtained a limited concession from the Chief Judge of Lagos State on some of the court cases handled free of charge for her beneficiaries. The support of organisations and individuals in our struggle to increase the access of the oppressed and the indigent to justice is welcome.

FIDA is in virtually all the 36 states of the Federation, including Abuja and Networking Exists.

FIDA is indeed, in virtually all states of the Federation, including Abuja. Members of each Branch have many opportunities of networking with one another at the various national activities of the Association. There is an annual FIDA Nigeria Law Week and Quarterly NEC Meetings both rotated amongst the various states. Nigeria has also been lucky to produce Regional Vice-Presidents who are required to host at least Regional Conference within the tenure and at which event FIDA Nigeria members meet. Furthermore, whenever a FIDA Nigeria Branch is holding an event, other FIDA Nigeria Branches are invited.

FIDA Nigeria has a 7-member Executive currently led by Mrs. Ezinwa Okoroafor, Country Vice-President. You see, FIDA has only one President whilst a member country has a Country Vice-President - the person responsible for coordination of FIDA affairs at the National Level.

Relationship with the Nigerian Bar Association

All FIDA Nigeria members are members of the Nigerian Bar Association. FIDA was conceived by its founders to cater for a need - the enhancement and protection of the welfare of women and children - because the happiness of a home and the strength of a society depend on the well-being of women and children. FIDA members are automatically members of that Forum and the Chairperson of the Women's Forum, Mrs. Stella Ugboma, is the International Secretary of FIDA.

FIDA handles numerous pro bono cases in Lagos, from domestic violence, rape, sexual harassment, forced marriages, etc.

The commonest of the cases which come to FIDA Nigeria, Lagos State Branch, are on the family, bordering on matrimonial issues, domestic violence and inheritance. We also have Landlord and Tenant matters. Sometimes, we manage to settle the matters through Conciliation and Mediation methods and at other times, we have had to go to court, though largely in defense of a matter. It is our policy at FIDA Nigeria, Lagos State Branch, to adopt a Mediation and Conciliation approach as it relates to family matters. We counsel, give direction and recommend ways to mend family problems and better the upbringing and welfare of children.

Accomplishments:

Attendance at meetings has steadily increased and there is positive awareness of FIDA Lagos' existence and its activities. We have mentored and set up young ladies.
FIDA Lagos has a quarterly Magazine, The Blaze, which discusses issues. We publish materials on legal issues which we distribute to the public.

Projects:
The Child's Right Act Project - FIDA Lagos in collaboration with UNICEF is about publishing a simplified and summarized CRA 2003.
The GHAIN Project - FIDA Lagos provided consultancy services to Family Health International (FHI) which services covered preparing a Training Manual and Will Template for use by its staff, volunteers and relevant stakeholders on inheritance laws in six zones of Nigeria - Abuja, Lagos, Edo, Kano, Anambra and Cross River States.
The Legislative Committee - Appreciating the need for FIDA to make input into the laws of our land and particularly in line with the national directives that all FIDA Nigeria Branches endeavour to introduce and ensure the passage of the Bill on violence Against Women, we are liaising with the Lagos State House of Assembly on the Bill as well as on the Child's Right Bill.
Financial Aid - During this tenure, FIDA Lagos rendered Financial Assistance to indigent people by way of Scholarships, Business Setup and Medical Bills.

The Legal Clinic/Mediation Center has brought succor to the public. Visitations - FIDA members have during our tenure embarked on periodic visits to various homes and particularly FIDA Nigeria Ward at LUTH to spend time with the residents/patients. Also visits have been paid to relevant stakeholders for improved access to policy makers by members, the poor, oppressed and downtrodden.

Seminars - FIDA Lagos has held Seminars and Workshops, quarterly, on women and children related issues to enlighten and sensitize our target audience on their legal rights, thereby eliminating ignorance. This is how I would want our tenure to be remembered.

[Excerpts from This Day]

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May we be strengthened with the ability, willingness and capabilities to be good ambassadors of Nigeria contributing to its uplifting, rather than its detriment. - Cxsm