Laraba MUREY
The Abuja branch of the International Federation of Women Lawyers, FIDA has unveiled its three-year plan to tackle gender-based violence and promote the rights of women and children.
Speaking at a media parley in Abuja, the Chairperson, Barr. Chioma Onyenucheya-Uko, emphasized the need for strong partnerships with the media to amplify their work and create awareness about issues affecting vulnerable groups.
“I’m hoping that as an outcome of this interaction today, that we’re able to form a forbidable partnership that will throw focus on the issues that affect women and children and then help combat all discriminatory and abusive practices against women and children for the wholesome enjoyment of their rights and well-being, “Onyenucheya-Uko stated.
She added that “Our partnership and the collaboration from this meeting, FIDA Abuja branch is able to enjoy the support of media practitioners at the FCT towards giving visibility to the work we do.”
Outlining the Onyenucheya-Uko led executive plans for the next three years, the chairperson said FIDA FCT will focus on training paralegals in rural communities to act as first responders in cases of abuse, especially in areas where FIDA is not immediately present.
The organization also plans to engage law students in tertiary institutions, introducing them to FIDA’s work and grooming them to become future advocates for women and children’s rights.
Additionally, FIDA will provide training for its members to better handle cases of abuse and strengthen partnerships with security agencies, religious and community leaders, and other stakeholders. These efforts aim to create a stronger network to address harmful traditional practices and support survivors of violence.
Onyenucheya-Uko also encouraged women facing abuse to speak out and trust the legal system, emphasizing the importance of seeking justice rather than remaining with abusers.
She called on society to support victims, saying, “It is unfair to judge or silence victims. We must empathize with them to reduce the prevalence of violence in our communities.”
She stated FIDA’s achievements, including its role in advocating for the Violence Against Persons Prohibition, VAPP, Act, signed into law in 2015. The Act has improved access to justice for survivors of gender-based violence, with the Chief Judge of the FCT introducing practice directions to speed up the prosecution of such cases.
In her response, Executive Director of Gender Strategy Advancement International, GSAi, Adaora Onyechere Jack, said “As we work to address gender-based violence and promote the rights of women and children, we need the media to be partners in this journey. It’s crucial that we maintain mutual respect and professionalism. The media has the power to shape narratives, and we must ensure that our interactions are based on integrity.
We also need seamless communication to make sure that critical stories, especially those related to domestic and sexual violence, are reported accurately and timely.”
She also emphasized the necessity of capacity-building for journalists covering sensitive gender issues
“We must organize training programs to equip journalists with the knowledge and tools to report these issues respectfully. It’s vital that we avoid stigmatizing victims by using harmful language, such as referring to someone as a ‘former prostitute’ without understanding the implications. Such trainings will go a long way in improving how gender-based stories are framed, “she said.
