The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) and the National Orientation Agency have agreed to a strategic partnership towards the implementation of the Stop Violence against Women in Elections (STOP-VAWIE) project.
The synergy was a fall out of a courtesy visit to the Director General (DG) National Orientation Agency (NOA), Dr. Garba Abari on the 14th of August 2017. The FIDA Nigeria President who was represented by the National Secretary, Mrs. Rhoda Tyoden-Moore led a delegation to the NOA.
The National Secretary called on the Agency to assist FIDA with publicity of the merits of STOP-VAWIE during their outreach/sensitization programs and to discourage attitudes and cultures that hinders women participation in politics. She added that NOA should include the message of STOP-VAWIE in their feedback to the government in developing policies to ensure a free and fair electoral process in Nigeria.
In his response, Dr. Garba Abari gave his commitments to ensure that NOA and FIDA Nigeria work closely to ensure the opening up of the political space to accommodate everyone irrespective of sex. This will rid the nation of the negative impacts of gender discrimination and everyone will be involved in decision making process.
According to him, the future is feminine and there is need for this large population to play the role expected of it in the interest of national order. Before now, he has been developing the “Action Congress Women’s Manifesto and Charter of Demands” which is a working document he expects all political party to adopt as a way of opening the political space equally for men and women.
He reiterated that a lot of advocacy and sensitization is needed and charged FIDA Nigeria with the duty to advocate to the National Assembly to create laws that would make the political space even for both the men and women, and ensure an inclusive governance process.
The meeting was concluded with the presentation of resource materials to the DG by FIDA Nigeria National Secretary and signing of the register of participation.
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