Female Lawyers Can Join Both Fida and NBA Women Forum

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'Female Lawyers Can Join Both Fida and NBA Women Forum'

This Day (Lagos)
Jude Igbanoi
[INTERVIEW]
25 June 2007

The International Federation of Women Lawyers is recognised worldwide as the umbrella body that caters for the specific concerns and issues of female members of the legal profession. In Nigeria, the body is more known for its consistency in providing free legal services to indigent citizens. Having grown steadily over the years, the body now has branches in all the 36 states of the Federation including Abuja. Jude Igbanoi had a chat with Mrs. Sylvia Shinaba, Chairperson of FIDA, Lagos State recently, as the branch celebrated its Annual Law Week

Over the years, FIDA has become ingrained in the consciousness of Nigerians as a body of do-good female lawyers. But many are still struggling with the acronym. What really does FIDA stand for? Also, a bit of FIDA's background, its emergence and activities in Nigeria might help.

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. Our 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.

Our activities and programs 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.

You are currently celebrating your Law Week. What activities are lined up for the week and what do Nigerian female lawyers stand to benefit?

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.

There is this perception that women can hardly work together. Many believe that women are often quarrelsome and rancorous. What has the experience been in FIDA? It does appear that female lawyers are debunking this myth.

Thank God, FIDA is a Family. Like every other family therefore, her members are distinct individuals with their own characteristics and viewpoints. We would not have it otherwise. What matters is not absence of differences but how such differences are resolved when they arise.

FIDA is said to enjoy tremendous, almost cult-like following amongst grass root women. You are said to be engaged in several rural based projects. How does FIDA fund its numerous projects?

It should not be surprising that FIDA, as you say, enjoys "tremendous, almost cult-like 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 our constraint. Largely, FIDA funds its numerous projects principally through the sacrificial donation of its members. Sometimes we partner with Donor Agencies such as the British Council, GHAIN and UNICEF in executing a project they are particularly interested in.

One of the things that FIDA is well known for is offering pro bono legal services to indigent women folk. Lagos is very populous and has a very busy Judiciary. How are you able to meet up with this challenge, given the fact that you'll be confronted with a deluge of cases?

Well, the provision of the free legal services, including handling of court cases, mediation and counselling to our beneficiaries on matters affecting their rights, is of particular interest to us. 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; thus, I can only say that 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, we obtained a limited concession from the Chief Judge of Lagos State on some of the court cases we handle free of charge for our beneficiaries. We welcome the support of organisations and individuals in our struggle to increase the access of the oppressed and the indigent to justice.

We understand that FIDA is in virtually all the 36 states of the Federation, including Abuja. What about networking? How are you able to network with other branches and who is responsible for coordination at the national level?

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. For example, we have 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.

How would you describe your relationship with the Nigerian Bar Association, in view of the fact that the NBA has just created a Women Forum and some people are already apprehensive that FIDA and NBA Women Form may work at cross purposes?

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 as you will agree with me, the happiness of a home and the strength of a society depend on the well-being of women and children. There is no reason to fear concerning the introduction by the NBA of the Women's Forum. FIDA members are automatically members of that Forum and indeed 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. What are the commonest complaints that you are confronted with and how do you deal with such?

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.

It does appear that there is a growing agitation for women to be accorded more recognition and be distinguished from their male counterparts in the legal profession. Now female Judges insist on being addressed as 'My Lady.' Do you subscribe to the view?

With the recent inauguration of the Women Forum of the Nigerian Bar Association, after 120 years of the Legal Profession in Nigeria, many people seem to hold the view that [b]the profession is finally recognising that there are women at the Bar, not just "gentlemen in skirts" as they are cheekily referred to. Why not? We cannot deny that women are women, with their features distinct from those of men and that they are members of the profession. I have personally never been bothered by the address of women as 'Gentlemen of the Bar' and never appeared before a Judge who insisted to be addressed as "My Lady".

How would you like your tenure as FIDA Chairperson, Lagos to be remembered?

Coordinating professionals like FIDA members, with varying socio-cultural backgrounds is not an easy task. However, by the Grace of God and with the support and cooperation of members, we have been able to set-up and structure FIDA Nigeria, Lagos State Branch without bias to any perceived faction(s). FIDA Nigeria, Lagos State Branch has grown slowly and steadily from the newest FIDA Branch in April 2003 to one of the only two FIDA Nigeria Branches which met the national body's conditions to vote and be voted for by April, 2006, during FIDA Nigeria's last national elections.

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.

We have achieved the following 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.

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