By Onozure Dania

AS part of ceremonies marking this year International Women’s Day, (IWD), a non governmental organization- International Federation of Women Lawyers Nigeria, (FIDA Nigeria) has expressed its commitment to continuously work to assist the advancement of women irrespective of their sector, operation and location.

The group also vowed to strive and stop all forms of discrimination and injustice against women.

In a statement signed by Eliana Martins, Chairperson FIDA Lagos, the group said that it has secured the women’s land rights, which shall be projected in a publication, “Women’s Land Rights Handbook”, an initiative of the Commonwealth Secretariat, London in conjunction with FIDA Nigeria and supported by the respective FIDA Nigeria State branches.

According to FIDA, the handbook is a summarized and simplified text which explains the legal processes by which women can acquire and enjoy property and land rights in Nigeria, adding that they are going to be engaging relevant stakeholders and presenting copies of the  handbook to them, during each celebration of  women day.

According to the group, the book has been translated into 3 major Nigerian languages (Igbo, Yoruba and Hausa) in addition to Pidgin English.

It said, “We believe that access to and ownership of land for women is often problematic especially when culture and the law seem to collide and as such there is a dire need to reconcile customary norms with formal judicial processes, national laws, and policy decisions to ensure equity and justice in this respect.”

FIDA, also said that it would be organizing programs geared at enlightening members of a community and their leaders, on the need to curb gender based discrimination.

It stated that the group would also be encouraging the promotion of peaceful resolution of land matters and the fair distribution of assets and landed properties in all communities, adding that their key target are groups/persons on the position of the relevant laws in the country.

While commending the women who have attained great heights in the country, the group, said  in alignment with this year’s theme, “Inspiring Change”, FIDA Lagos branch,  is poised to challenge the status quo of women to inspire positive change.

“We will maintain our stance against societal vices on the women folk; women are still comparatively underpaid and not equally represented as the men in business, politics, education and notable platforms. Domestic violence against women and abuse are still predominant in our society with its attendant consequences.” The group added.

FIDA stated that, while its appreciating the fact that there has been significant improvements in the perceptions about women issues especially on equality and freedoms, improved presence of women as CEO’s in the board rooms, as engineers, commissioners, ministers and women in politics and government.

The International Federation of Women Lawyers Nigeria, “FIDA Nigeria” was inaugurated in 1963 as a member of FIDA International, said that despite the

challenges faced by women globally, they have continued to summon  these challenges against all odds and have chosen to grow in strength and grace.