Female lawyers promise free services for endangered women in Ekiti The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Ekiti State chapter, has promised free mediation and counselling for any woman who suffers injustices of any form. The Chairperson of FIDA, Ekiti State, Rita Ilebaren, said this in Ado Ekiti on Wednesday during a sensitisation programme, tagged: ‘Access to Justice for Indigent Women Project in Ekiti State’, organised by the body. Ilebaren, who said the present Governor Kayode Fayemi-led administration has been able to lay a solid foundation on war against violence, rape and gender inequality, urged the incoming government to sustain the fight since government is a continuum. “The plea became necessary because FIDA was in the process of mediating in an issue between a man and his wife when the results of Ekiti election was announced. “The man had already agreed to sign an undertaking when he heard the news and he immediately descended on his wife, believing that the Gender Based Violence Prohibition Law will die with the present administration”. Ilebaren said as part of the efforts to ensure that women’s rights are put in right perspective, she added that FIDA, in conjunction with French Embassy, have declared a nine-month legal free services for victims of violence in the state. She regretted that some of the women, whose rights are being trampled upon, are either ignorant or lack the financial wherewithal to fight for justice, saying the opportunity has been created for them to be able to seek redress in law court. “During this period, we are going to do free counselling, mediation, arbitration and prosecution programmes for any woman who suffers injustice. But before then, we are embarking on sensitisation across the state for people to be aware of such gesture and key into it”. Ilebaren also frowned at the way family values, culture, tradition and societal norms had been allowed to suppress the rights of women in Africa.
Posted on: Thu, 03 Jul 2014 08:12:06 +0000