In a continued effort to advocate for the rights of vulnerable women and children, FIDA Nigeria, led by its Country Vice/National President, Amina Suzanah Agbaje, paid a courtesy visit to Senator Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central.
The visit, was a strategic engagement aimed at exploring potential collaborations to strengthen the protection and empowerment of women and children across Nigeria.
During the meeting, FIDA Nigeria and Senator Uduaghan discussed key issues affecting the socio-economic well-being of women and children, especially in rural communities. Senator Uduaghan, known for her advocacy for gender equality and social justice, expressed her commitment to partnering with FIDA to drive forward initiatives that align with their shared goals.
FIDA Nigeria, an organization focused on improving access to justice for women and children, emphasized the need for legislative backing and advocacy to create long-term solutions for issues such as domestic violence, child trafficking, gender-based violence, and economic empowerment. Mrs. Agbaje highlighted the importance of leveraging political support and collaboration with key figures like Senator Uduaghan to amplify FIDA’s mission across the country.
Key Areas of Focus from the Dialogue:
- Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and Legal Support: One of the primary discussions centered around improving legal frameworks and providing more robust support systems for victims of GBV. FIDA Nigeria is advocating for stronger policies and faster judicial processes to bring justice to victims and prevent further occurrences. Senator Uduaghan showed interest in sponsoring or supporting legislative amendments that could protect women and children more effectively.
- Economic Empowerment for Women: Both parties recognized that economic empowerment is a key factor in achieving gender equality. The conversation touched on launching and supporting initiatives that would enable women, especially those in underserved regions, to gain financial independence through skills acquisition, access to small grants, and financial literacy programs.
- Child Protection and Education: Another critical area of discussion was child protection and the need for improved educational opportunities for children, particularly girls. FIDA Nigeria and Senator Uduaghan agreed on the necessity of increasing access to quality education as a way to uplift children from vulnerable backgrounds and secure their futures.
- Legislative Advocacy: FIDA Nigeria reiterated its dedication to collaborating with lawmakers to push for gender-sensitive laws that address violence against women and children. Senator Uduaghan promised her full support in advancing relevant legislative initiatives and promised to work with FIDA to bring these critical issues to the forefront of national policy discussions.
- Rural Outreach Programs: Both FIDA and Senator Uduaghan stressed the need for increased rural outreach, to ensure that vulnerable women and children in hard-to-reach areas also benefit from programs aimed at improving their rights and access to justice. They agreed to collaborate on advocacy campaigns, including sensitization programs and legal aid clinics that would serve women and children in rural communities.
This meeting marked the beginning of what is expected to be a fruitful partnership between FIDA Nigeria and Senator Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan, aimed at driving impactful change in the areas of women’s rights, child protection, and gender equality. Both parties are committed to working together to ensure that the voices of the most vulnerable are heard and that tangible progress is made in safeguarding their rights.
Next Steps:
Following the meeting, FIDA Nigeria and Senator Uduaghan agreed to outline a roadmap for future collaboration. This roadmap will include joint advocacy efforts, community outreach programs, legislative initiatives, and empowerment schemes that target the most pressing issues affecting women and children in Nigeria. They are set to meet again in the coming weeks to solidify the partnership and begin implementing some of the discussed programs.
