FIDA Ondo Flags Off 2025 Law Week

....Seeks Stronger Action Against Gender-Based, Digital Violence

By Our Correspondent

The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Ondo State Branch, on Thursday, 4 December 2025 officially commenced its 2025 Law Week, with a call for stronger enforcement of laws protecting women and children from gender-based and digital violence.
Speaking during a media briefing held on Friday, 5 December 2025 in Akure, the Chairperson of FIDA Ondo, Barr. Bolanle Olafunmiloye, appreciated journalists for their continuous support, describing the media as a major ally in the fight against gender-based violence (GBV).
Olafunmiloye said this year’s Law Week is dedicated to promoting, protecting and preserving the rights and wellbeing of women and children through the effective use of the law. She explained that the week-long activities bring together legal practitioners, government agencies, CSOs, the private sector and concerned citizens to strengthen the collective fight against violence.
She noted that the 2025 theme, “Turning Policy into Action: Advancing the Rights of Women Through Law and Governance”, is significant as it aligns with the anniversary of the current FIDA executive and the ongoing global 16 Days of Activism Against GBV, especially the campaign against digital violence.

The Chairperson condemned the rising cases of abuse involving minors, revealing that the association recently handled cases involving girls aged 3, 5, 12 and 13.
“Beyond domestic abuse, we are now contending with an alarming rise in digital violence — cyberbullying, harassment, online threats and the non-consensual sharing of images,” she said.

She expressed concern that community silence, excuses and concealment enable perpetrators to thrive.
“Abuse thrives where accountability is weak. Silence is complicity,” she added.

Although Ondo State has strong legal frameworks such as the VAPP Law and Child Rights Law, Olafunmiloye emphasised that enforcement remains slow and inconsistent.
“The issue is not lack of laws but lack of implementation. Policies cannot protect women if security agencies are underfunded and justice is delayed,” she said.

She highlighted FIDA Ondo’s recent interventions, which include:free legal services for indigent women and children,sensitisation campaigns across LGAs on child rights and GBV,training for police gender desk officers and community leaders,paralegal development,school and market outreach programmes on children’s rights and digital safety, and collaborations with the Ministry of Justice, NGOs and security agencies to support survivors.

Olafunmiloye appealed to government institutions, traditional rulers, religious bodies and residents to prioritise full implementation of existing laws, strengthen counselling centres, fund legal aid and establish strong monitoring systems.

She also referenced a recent case involving a 17-year-old survivor who had endured abuse since age 14, stressing the need to support victims who remain silent for years due to fear or trauma.

While addressing journalists, she urged responsible reporting that protects survivors’ identities and avoids sensationalism.
“Block out faces of victims. Hold institutions accountable. Expose perpetrators, no matter how powerful,” she urged.

She said those to receive awards of the association include former Governor Olusegun Mimiko; former and current Attorneys-General and Commissioners for Justice in Ondo State, Dr Kayode Ajulo, SAN, and Mr Kola Olawoye; as well as the pioneer FIDA Chairperson, Mrs Adesola Tuki, among others.

Also speaking, the Deputy Country President of FIDA Nigeria, Barr. Olubunmi Niyi-Arajuwa, commended the Ondo branch and noted that the 2025 celebration aligns with the global GBV campaign symbolised by the colour orange. She added that digital violence affects all genders and called for collective efforts to curb it.

The Chairperson of the 2025 Planning Committee, Alhaja Kudirat Gbadamosi, outlined the activities for the week as follows:

Day 1 – Thursday, 4th December 2025, Touching Lives the FIDA Way (I)
Venue: Female Correctional Centre, Ondo

Day 2 – Friday, 5th December 2025- Media Chat
Venue: NBA Akure Bar Centre

Fidans of Faith – Jumat Service
Venue: Government House Mosque, Akure

Day 3– Saturday, 6th, December 2025

#Fit4Justice Wellness Session
Venue: Gani Fawehinmi Arcade, Akure

Day 4 – Sunday 6 December 2025

Fidans in His Presence
Venue: Mercy Gate Christian Fellowship, Kajola

Touching Lives the FIDA Way (II)
Venue: Wise Virgin Orphanage Home

Outreach & Gift Presentation to Less Privileged Children
Time: 1pm

Day 6 – Monday, 8 December 2025
Opening Ceremony & Keynote Address
Keynote Speaker: Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, CON
Venue: Aare Babalola House, NBA Akure Bar Centre
Time: 9am

Technical Session I
Overcoming Structural Barriers to Women’s Participation

Technical Session II
Strengthening Legal Protection Against Gender-Based Violence

Day 7 – Tuesday, 9 December 2025
Annual General Meeting
Venue: NBA Akure Bar Centre
Time: 10am

Law & Legacy – Dinner and Awards Night
Venue: Bliss World, Ijapo Estate
Time: 5pm (Red Carpet: 4pm)

FIDA Ondo reaffirmed its commitment to building a safer society where women and children live free from violence and discrimination.
“Policies will not implement themselves. Laws will not enforce themselves. Together, we can build an Ondo State where the rights of women and children are fully protected,” Olafunmiloye said.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Hon. Ologede Commissions Market at Oja Oba, Itaogbolu ... Receives Gifts of Appreciation

Image
Hon. Kolawole Ologede, the lawmaker representing Akure North Constituency in the Ondo State House of Assembly, has officially commissioned a new market at Oja Oba in Itaogbolu. The market is designed to support local commerce and improve the living standards of the community. During the event, market women in Itaogbolu, led by Mrs Adewami Boluwaji, expressed their gratitude by presenting a special gift to Hon. Ologede. This gesture was a token of appreciation for his continuous support and efforts to enhance their livelihoods. In a similar show of appreciation, one of Hon. Ologede's media aides, who also hails from Itaogbolu, Ademilola Tolulope presented him with a custom-designed photo frame, acknowledging his exemplary performance in office and his commitment to grassroots development. The paramount ruler of Itaogbolu, HRM Oba Idowu Faborode, the Ogbolu of Itaogbolu, also expressed his heartfelt gratitude and commended Hon. Ologede for the remarkable project, stating that the mar...
Read more

Hon. Ologede Presents Appointment Letters to New SA's

Image
 A member of the Ondo State House of Assembly representing Akure North Constituency, Honourable Kolawole Ologede has formally presented appointment letters to his newly appointed Special Assistants SAs in a bid to strengthen his legislative and constituency engagements.  During the presentation,the lawmaker stressed the importance of teamwork and grassroots representation, stating that the appointments were made to enhance effective governance, policy implementation, and community development. “These appointments are strategic. I have carefully selected individuals with competence and dedication to assist  in  serving our people better,” Hon. Ologede said. The newly appointed Special Assistants were urged to be diligent, responsive, and committed to the development of Akure North Constituency.  This initiative is expected to have a positive impact on the overall performance of his team and, ultimately, benefit the people of Akure North Constituency. The appointees expressed gratitude f...
Read more

Lawmaker Condoles Family of Murdered Constituent, Promises Justice

Image
The member representing Ile-Oluji/ Okeigbo State Constituency, Hon. Nelson Akinsuroju, has described the death of one of his constituents, Isaiah Bademosi, as unfortunate and painful, assuring the bereaved family that justice would be served. Akinsuroju gave the assurance during a condolence visit to the Bademosi family, whose son was allegedly killed by his employer, Mr. Rufus Olafusi, in Ile-Oluji. The lawmaker visited the family’s residence to get firsthand information about the incident. Narrating the tragedy to Akinsuroju, the mother of the deceased, Mrs. Bademosi, accused her son’s employer, Olafusi, of being responsible for the mysterious death of Isaiah, who reportedly died inside Olafusi’s residence. She said her late son had been a loyal aide to Olafusi, who frequently travels abroad, and often relied on Isaiah to manage his affairs whenever he returned. “My son has been the one picking him up from the airport, helping him acquire farmlands, and taking...
Read more