Ekiti CJ urges FIDA to strengthen laws protecting women, children

The Acting Chief Judge of Ekiti State, Justice Lekan Ogunmoye, has advised the Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) to seek amendment of laws that affect children and women’s wellbeing to protect their rights.

Ogunmoye gave the advice at an annual lecture organised by FIDA on Friday in Ado-Ekiti.

The lecture’s title was: “Achieving Enhanced Institutional Structures for the Advancement of Women and Children in Nigeria”

The Chief Judge, represented by Justice Blessing Ajileye, explained that the amendment became imperative to protect the interest of children and women.

He noted that his office would always be ready to provide necessary assistance in this regard when required.

Ogunmoye urged women lawyers to always test effectiveness of laws, most especially the ones relating to gender based violence.
He said that persons culpable of offences against women and children should be brought to book “and ensure that justice is done at every stage of prosecution.”
In a welcome address, the outgoing State FIDA Chairperson, Mrs Oyinade Olatunbosun noted that the Association had handled over 300 cases of Gender Based Violence in the last one year.
She expressed the belief that if there were better structures, there would be improvement in administration of justice in that regard.
Also, the new FIDA Chairperson, Mrs Ayobami Olowoyo-Richard, said that Ekiti was ahead in tackling the issue of Gender Based Violence.
She said that FIDA and other stakeholders in the fight against the menace would not relent.
“We will continue to sensitise the right set of people through awareness as well as advocacy programmes across all the local council areas.
“We will have the support of government to carry out our goals and objectives, which is to enhance, protect the interest of women and children,’’ Olowoyo-Richard added
In separate goodwill messages, the state Ministry of Women Affairs and National Human Rights Commission, urged all stakeholders in the fight against GBV to speak out, most especially when victims are traumatised.