By Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko
The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Nigeria, Oyo State Branch, seeks an end to violence against women while pushing for women’s empowerment.
The Secretary of FIDA, Oyo state branch, Mrs Fatima Hammed-Gbadamosi, spoke in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibadan on Tuesday.
Hammed-Gbadamosi emphasised that women’s fundamental human rights, including the right to property, freedom, and protection from abuse, must be respected.
She also highlighted the need for increased female representation in government.
The Legal Practitioner hoped that the bill for special seats at the National and State Houses of Assembly being advocated by women organisations be passed eventually.
According to her, the issue of violence against women has been on, time immemorial, while the laws, security agencies and women advocates like FIDA do their best to address the case.
She, however, called on any woman undergoing any violence to come out and speak for actions to be taken.
Hammed- Gbadamosi also stressed that women needed to support one another to better their lot.
“Women need to support women; I’m not saying we should be biased and not look out for merit, but sometimes, we have this pull down syndromes in women,” she said.
She identified ignorance as a major obstacle to women’s empowerment, stating, “ignorance is an obstacle to women’s empowerment, if women can get educated, empowering them will be easier.”
Hammed-Gbadamosi urged women to strive for independence, face their studies, jobs, and crave for higher positions just like men.
“I am not saying they should see it as competition but at least be independent,” she said.
The FIDA official called on men to support women’s empowerment, particularly at the home front.
“If husbands don’t violate wives, there won’t be issue of domestic violence, and if men don’t violate women in any way, there won’t be an issue of violence,” she remarked.
” FIDA Nigeria, Oyo state branch, is working to promote and preserve the interests of women and children and is calling for a justice system that protects women’s rights.
“They are also urging security agencies to take domestic violence seriously and use the law to execute justice,” she said.
Hammed-Gbadamosi further noted that once one’s fundamental human rights, such as the right to property, right not to be abused, and right to freedom, were not trampled upon, there won’t be issues.
She reiterated that FIDA had always been fighting against any violence against women and children, as its objective is to promote and preserve the interest of women and children (most especially the vulnerable) in society.
“When we have complaints, we mediate over it.
“If it’s something we can handle, and if not, we push it up to security agencies and make sure we follow up to the end.
“We want a justice system where women’s rights will not be trampled, security agencies should not see domestic violence as matrimonial issues but should use the law to execute where needed.
“For survivors of gender based violence, we petition security agencies about their case and watch the brief for them to get Justice.
“Sometimes, we also refer some survivors to therapists or psychologists so that the issue of trauma will be addressed.,” she said.
Hammed-Gbadamosi maintained the need for women to be independent of men.
“If a woman can be independent, the rate at which they are abused will be minimal, if at all there will be any case,” she said.
NAN
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