Female lawyers sensitize girl-students on law against violence

The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Abuja branch, has charged girl students to be conversant with laws protecting them and their loved ones against violent acts. The female lawyers’ organisation made this call on Monday when they visited the Anglican Girls Grammar School (AGGS), Apo, Abuja. The spokesman of the organisation, Barrister Mojirayo Ogunlana-Nkang, […]

The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Abuja branch, has charged girl students to be conversant with laws protecting them and their loved ones against violent acts.

The female lawyers’ organisation made this call on Monday when they visited the Anglican Girls Grammar School (AGGS), Apo, Abuja.

The spokesman of the organisation, Barrister Mojirayo Ogunlana-Nkang, said the essence of the visit was to sensitize the students on the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act (VAPP Act, 2015).

Shedding more light on the mission of the organisation, the chairperson of the branch, Barrister Rachael Adejo-Andrew, said the sensitization effort was important because some of the sections of the VAPP Act have a lot to do with sexual abuse.

“A lot of times, children actually suffer these abuses but they don’t know where to go. Sometimes, some of them are not even aware that there is a law which criminalises the kind of abuse they are going through. So, we thought as mothers and women lawyers we owe them a duty to sensitize them on the existence of this law,” she said.

She said the organisation was impressed by the questions asked by the students after the sensitization session. “The questions we got after the session were so many and that showed that they were so attentive and the topic was of interest to them,” she added.

Responding to a question from one of the students on what the women lawyers were doing to ensure implementation and enforcement of the provisions of the VAPP Act, Barrister Adejo-Andrew said the mandate of the organisation was to protect the rights of women and children.

She added that where it was observed that these rights have been violated, the organisation goes to courts on behalf of the victims.

“We take on matters on pro-bono basis; we don’t charge money. But a lot of times we are handicapped with the people who come to us and when you are about to go to court, they come back and tell us ‘we don’t want to go to court again; We are no longer interested’. This makes the organisation to be handicapped because we need witnesses to testify in court,” she said.

Responding on behalf of the students, the school’s Head girl, Jemima Luka, appreciated the organisation and said the students have learnt a lot through the sensitisation.

Also, the principal of the school, Mrs. Estel Ozimo, urged other civil societies and groups with great ideas not to hesitate to reach out so as to complement the efforts of the school in churning out great leaders.