Abuja: The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) has expressed its commitment to removing barriers that hinder swift access to prosecution and justice for survivors and victims of Gender-Based Violence (GBV). Chioma Onyenucheya-Uko, Chairperson of FIDA’s Abuja branch, made this commitment in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sidelines of a media parley in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Onyenucheya-Uko expressed concern over the rising cases of GBV in the country, emphasising the need for urgent action to address the issue. She explained that the association provides free legal services to survivors and victims of GBV, ensuring they have access to justice, legal advice, and counselling. She encouraged women experiencing abuse to speak out and utilise the various legal provisions in place to protect them.
Onyenucheya-Uko highlighted the importance of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act, enacted in 2015, as a significant step towards addressing GBV. She noted that FIDA Nigeria played a critical role in the movement for the passage of the VAPP Act. Through this law and the practice direction issued by the Chief Judge of the FCT, delays in adjudicating SGBV cases have been drastically reduced. Dedicated courts now expedite such cases to ensure that justice is served.
She reiterated that FIDA Abuja remained at the forefront of implementing the VAPP Act and advocating for the rights of survivors of gender-based violence. She encouraged society to support victims to speak out to reduce the prevalence of violence and other harmful practices against women and children. Onyenucheya-Uko urged the media to partner with FIDA and other stakeholders to amplify issues affecting women and children on their platforms.
The chairperson also called on the general public to empathise with survivors and refrain from ‘victim-blaming’, stating that speedy prosecution processes will ensure justice for survivors and serve as a deterrent to others. Her expectation from the meeting was that it would birth partnerships and collaborations that would help the FIDA Abuja branch enjoy the support of media practitioners, focusing attention on issues affecting women and children while combating discriminatory and abusive practices.