….decries violence against women and children as it carries enlightenment campaign to UTC Area 10
By Chibuike Nwabuko
Abuja (Sundiata Post) – International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Nigeria Abuja branch has lamented that jail term awaits perpetrators of violence against women and children, stressing that the principle of law is that ignorant is not an excuse.
This was the focus of FIDA’s public enlightenment and advocacy campaign on the day two of its law week at popular UTC, Area 10 Shopping Complex, Abuja.
Sundiata Post recalls that the event started on Friday and the theme of this 2022 law week is : “Addressing the concept of gender justice in Nigeria”.
During the enlightenment programme, Speaker after speaker, condemned all forms of violence against women and children.
The Chairperson of FIDA Abuja branch, Mrs Chibuzor Maureen Okeke noted that they are here to carry out sensitisation in the area of gender justice and that FIDA is saying no to all forms of violence; we are saying women should be accorded equal rights with the men and that there should be no form of discrimination against women.
The Chairperson of the 2022 law week planning Committee, Mrs Chioma Onyenucheya Ukoh said the public enlightenment became necessary to educate citizens in UTC Complex on some of the laws against all forms of violence against women and children because of the realisation that that atimes people commit these offences because they do not know. And unfortunately, the law will not excuse you because you did not know as ignorant is not an excuse in law.
She listed these offences to include but not limited to; beating one’s wife, female circumcision, giving out little daughters below 18 years in marriage, chasing your daughter or female children away from your home, stopping her from earning livelihood for herself and denying her education on account of gender among others. Chioma re-emphasized that the law says you must not do any of these against the women and children as they attract jail terms.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr Afam Okoke called on men to support women in whatever they are doing and encourage them to achieve their goals and dream because if they are allowed to achieve their goals and dreams, the society will be better for it.
Afam who said that the 30% affirmative is too small for the women, charged them to unite, put their acts together and get 100 % affirmative.
He promised to encourage and support FIDA in all they do to protect the interest of women and children, including men in the society.
Earlier, he said he has always been of the view and has shared it with his friends and at every fora that there cannot be any genuine reason to beat a woman, talk more of your wife.
Similarly, the past Chairman of NBA who is also a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mr. Moses Ebute commended FIDA Abuja branch for their fight against violence against women and children in the society.
Sundiata Post recalls that FIDA law week is an annual tradition/ritual of the FIDA Abuja branch which offers FIDA opportunity to interact, have an intellectual conversation, carry out humanitarian activities, carry out public enlightenment and other activities that progressively impact on society.
Earlier before the walk to UTC, FIDA members engaged on aerobatics at the NBA House.
