The International Federation of Women Lawyers, FIDA, Imo State has urged individuals, non-governmental and corporate organizations to partner with the association in protecting the rights of women and children.
The association had during its week held Yard Sales and Exhibition Fair to raise fund to enable it prosecute pro bono cases involving indigent women and children.
Speaking during the event, FIDA Chairperson in the state, Ndidi Anike Val-Okeoma reiterated that the association would remain committed to the protection, promotion and preservation of rights of women and children in the state.
She disclosed that the association had attended to more than 70 cases with issues ranging from domestic violence, child defilement and wrongful widowhood practices.
She said, “Again, this year, FIDA IMO negotiated the discharge of three minors at the Specialist Hospital, Umuguma, who could not be released as a result of unpaid huge hospital bills.
“We have collaborated with the police to institute arrests of offenders and have successfully and are still prosecuting cases in court using the VAPP Law. These and many more are the ways in which FIDA Imo has remained a voice for the voiceless.”
“One of the major challenges that bedevil our dear association is funding. The very noble FIDANS who attend our legal clinics to handle cases do so at their own expense because in FIDA, we live a life of sacrifice
“However, while we yet groan, albeit gracefully, under the weight of self-funding our projects to touch lives, we are not ashamed to admit that we need help.
“Therefore, one of the highpoints of this auspicious occasion is the unveiling of the FIDA Yard Sales Exhibition Fair which will showcase various branded items with the objective of raising funds to prosecute all our pro bono cases on behalf of indigent women and children and also to ensure that with the purchase of the branded items, FlDA IMO will be in every home, thereby increasing publicity and awareness of the organization
