FIDA seeks partnership with Plateau govt. to protect vulnerable children, women

Partnership
By Martha Agas
Jos, April 17, 2018 (NAN) The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) says it will partner with Plateau government to protect the rights of vulnerable children and women in the state.

The newly elected Chairperson of FIDA in Plateau, Mrs Mary Izam, made this known during a courtesy visit to the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development on Tuesday in Jos.

“FIDA can only discharge its duties efficiently with the input of Women Affairs and the Justice Ministries in handling cases of women and children who mostly cannot afford legal fees but seek refuge in FIDA.

“The organisation is also conducting sensitisation training with stakeholders in the Administration of the Criminal Justice Act of 2015, which when domesticated, will address the issues of gender.

“ When Plateau domesticates this act all accused persons in legal proceedings are assumed defendants till proven otherwise.

“The pregnant woman cannot be harmed or issued death sentence till she gives births to her child and even weans the baby for six months.

“ The Act also is against physical security checks conducted by men on women, it curtails embarrassing body contact and protect the dignity of the woman,’’ she said.

Izam told the commissioner that the organisation did not have office accommodation to enable it discharge its functions effectively, saying the challenge was frustrating easy access by indigent women for the pro bono services.

“ We cannot organise regular legal clinic when we have unstable office space,“ she said.

Mrs Anna Izam, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development commended the FIDA for its commitment to defend the rights of vulnerable women and children in the society.

She said the ministry would make consultations toward providing it with a permanent office space to facilitate easy access by the public.

Izam said the ministry would support FIDA in its functions and appealed to it to partner with the ministry toward the gazette of the Gender Equal Opportunity Bill to facilitate its implementation thus, giving women equal opportunity in the state.

The newly elected Plateau FIDA officials will be inaugurated on April 18 and they will serve for two years. (NAN)
MAA/OIF/GY
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Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo/Grace Yussuf