The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) is a non-profit, non-political and non-governmental organisation that promotes and protects the human rights of the citizenry, especially women and children. Recently, FIDA Nigeria clocked 50, Senior Correspondent, JUDE KENNETH, spoke with its Lagos branch chairperson, Mrs. Eliana Martins, on its operations 50 years on. About FIDA
The International Federation of Women Lawyers (IFWL), in Spanish Federacion Internacional de Abogadas (FIDA), is an international organisation for professional women lawyers who come together as a group to protect and enhance the rights of women and children. FIDA came to Nigeria some 50 years ago and has branches in 32 states of the federation. The Lagos branch of the organisation was established in 2003. The members are women lawyers who are resident in Lagos, and who are willing to use what they have such as experience and professionalism to help the vulnerable group in the society, especially the women and children. The primary role of FIDA Nigeria is to protect and enhance the rights of women and children and to ensure that these rights are propagated. “We try to empower women because we believe very strongly that there lies the future of the nation, the wellbeing of the nation. “If the women are well taken care of, if they are empowered with information or anything that is required, if they are happy, they will bring up the children right. They will teach the children. They will know what and how to prepare their children as future leaders of the nation. That is why we focus more on these vulnerable groups, trying to see that they are better empowered and protected for the wellbeing of the nation,” Mrs. Martins said.
Activities
The activities of FIDA extend throughout Lagos State by the formation of committees and partners globally; furthering the dissemination of the knowledge of law; advancing opportunities for women in the political, social, civil and educational fields as well as in the industry, business and the professions, particularly the legal profession. Other include seeking the passage of legislation for the advancement and protection of women and children’s rights; working for equal rights of women under the law and promoting the organisation of the national association of women wherever necessary.
FIDA and partisan politics
Apart from working to ensure the protection and enhancement of the rights of women and children, FIDA also encourages women participation in active politics. It also supports electoral processes and participates in monitoring elections. The organisation joins other volunteers for election monitoring to ensure that peoples’ right to vote are not infringed upon. Beside the informative programmes, FIDA also encourages women to participate in election and help them to regain their mandate from the election tribunal, if it is stolen. It sensitises, informs and encourages the women to be part of the election in 2015. The organisation sensitises these vulnerable groups on their right to vote and to know what is going on in the society. “If information is not channelled right down to the grassroots, if there is no clarity of information that is channelled, how do people fully participate? If people do not know where or how to go, who helps? Those are different roles through which FIDA assists,” Martins said. Martins explained that though FIDA focuses mainly on women and children, it does not mean that the body cannot assist other members of the society. According to her, if a man is wrongly accused, FIDA will not fold its arms and fail to speak out just because he is a man. “We stand for the truth as lawyers and we must always protect it. All we are saying is that some of our activities are targeted at vulnerable groups. That is not to say that we will not handle other aspects that will assist the wellbeing of the nation.”
Funding and fees
FIDA does not charge for its services to the citizenry. It is a non-profit organisation. The organisation offers free legal services to indigent women and children in court cases, mediation and counselling and on matters affecting their rights. “We do not collect money for our professional service. We are giving back to the society what we have, and what we have is our intellect and our experience,” the FIDA chairperson said, adding that it is just the way the members want to help humanity. The association funds itself. As a non-profit organisation, it does not really need much, except when it has programme to execute. Members only pay membership dues, which the organisation uses to handle basic administrative duties. The organisation also gets financial support from people of goodwill who like what FIDA is doing. If the organisation wants to organise training for indigent women, there are benefactors who would be interested in the programme and give their support. However, some organisations such as UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund) and other international and local groups and individuals do support FIDA in terms of funding.
Relationship with other groups
According to Martins, FIDA relates very well with most NGOs and civil society groups. As the group cannot handle everything alone, it collaborates with other stakeholders in handling issues that are emotional or violent. Her words: “If you take a matter like violence, particularly against women, we cannot handle all aspects; but if we know that a woman has been forced to go through this process, she is affected emotionally, psychologically and physically, we can collaborate with medical people to address her medical issues. We handle the legal aspect. So we have a very good working relationship with other NGOs that support our activities.” FIDA wants people to come out better, to be well catered for, to enjoy their rights and to be protected against any infringement. Anybody who supports these ideals to make sure that society is better can collaborate with the organisation.
Achievements/challenges
FIDA Nigeria has survived for 50 years despite all odds. In terms of achievement, the situation of women has changed from a situation where women can now partake in certain things, moving around and speaking out. It has been active and vocal on girl child education, as well as underage and forced marriages. The organisation has enhanced the freedom of movement, liberty, freedom of choice and religion as enshrined in our constitution. Martins said FIDA has done so much, as women are so much involved now in governance. They are out there working for their earning without fear. The organisation has offered free legal services to indigent women and appeared in tribunals to defend the rights of the women, including probate issues. The children too have been so tremendous. “In terms of the rights they enjoy, the expression of knowledge concerning issues that are keen to them, hitherto, they would not have even been allowed to express an opinion. But now, their opinions are being sought,” Martins disclosed, adding that FIDA has contributed to the betterment of humanity. Some major challenges today, she told TheNiche, include how to eradicate street hawking by children and encourage their parents to send them to school, as well as the issue of finance to tackle its numerous programmes. In handling criminal cases, she said, “we find it difficult in terms of evidence”. According to her, the issue of proof is also a big challenge, as people are afraid to come to court to give evidence.