Women Voters Seek FIDA’s Support Against Gender-Based Violence

A non-governmental body labeled League of Women Voters of Nigeria has sought collaboration with Federariom of Women Lawyers (FIDA) in Rivers State to check the menace of gender based violence.
The league’s chairperson, Mrs. Ruth Davies Ibiamu in a courtesy visit at the weekend to State chapter of International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) decried the rate of gender-based violence in the state as alarming and called for a concerted efforts by civil society and non governmental agencies to tackle it.
Mrs. Ibiamu noted that the widespread of gender- based violence against women is deeply rooted in our political system in the country. She maintained that discrimination against women has continued to have a ripple effect on the live of female politicians, and seek for a collaboration with the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) on how to tackle it.
The Chairman further seek for a Memorandum of Understanding with the International Federation of Women Lawyers in the state (FIDA).
She explained that league of Women Voters of Nigeria (NILOWV) is non partisan, and non-profit based with the aim to promote democracy, educate voters and advocate for a social and political change in Nigeria.
In her speech, the Chairman of the International Federation of Women Lawyers, Barrister Adata Bio-Briggs, said FIDA is a non-partisan organisation that provides legal services, preserves and protects the rights of children that are abused.
She noted that FIDA mobilises women to increase their participation in politics, adding that FIDA is ready to provide legal services to anyone that is abused before, during and after the election.She lauded the state chairman of League of Women Voters of Nigeria for the steps taken to advocate for a free gender based violence.
Also speaking, the immediate past chairperson of League of Women Voters of Nigeria, Dame Hellen Osanakpo said it’s through education that women can participate in the electoral processes, noting that “we need to speak out, and that the voice of women must be heard”.

By: Kevin Nengia