FIDA stands for the International Federation of Women Lawyers. FIDA is a non-profit organization that helps women and children who face abuse and injustice. In Anambra State, Nigeria, FIDA provides free legal services to protect the rights of women, children, and poor people who cannot afford lawyers.
How FIDA Helps Women Facing Gender-Based Violence
FIDA Anambra works every day to stop gender-based violence. The organization helps widows, children, and women who face harm. FIDA lawyers work without pay to fight for justice.
Services FIDA Provides
- Free legal help for women and children
- Court representation at no cost
- Shelter for women escaping violence
- Payment of school fees for children
- Medical bill support for victims
- Food and temporary housing
Real Stories of FIDA Helping Widows
Vivian’s Story
Vivian Ezeonwumelu lost her husband Philemon in December 2023. She spent over 12 million naira treating her husband’s illness. Ten days after the funeral, her husband’s brothers tried to take her land.
Her brothers-in-law accused her of many false crimes. They said she was a thief and practiced witchcraft. Police arrested Vivian many times, but they found no evidence against her. In January 2025, her in-laws removed the roof of her house. Vivian and her two sons became homeless.
FIDA welcomed Vivian when she came to their office in Awka. The organization gave her food and a place to sleep. FIDA paid 150,000 naira for hospital bills and 300,000 naira for housing. FIDA lawyers filed court cases to get back her home and land.
Nkemdilim’s Story
Mrs. Chigbo Nkemdilim became a widow in 2020. She has four young children. Her husband’s family stopped her from entering the family home. They broke into her apartment in Nkpor and threw out her belongings. The family rented her apartment to other people.
The Traditional Ruler of Abagana sent Nkemdilim to FIDA. The organization took her case to court without charging any money. After two years, her case is still in court, but she has hope. Nkemdilim said FIDA gave her a voice again.
Understanding Gender-Based Violence Cases in Anambra
Rising Numbers of Gender-Based Violence
The Children, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Court in Anambra State shows worrying numbers. From July to December 2022, the court received 99 gender-based violence cases. In 2023, cases jumped to 553. For 2024, cases rose again to 832.
In the first three months of 2025, the court received 225 cases. These numbers show that gender-based violence is a growing problem in Anambra State.
Types of Gender-Based Violence FIDA Handles
FIDA Anambra deals with many types of harm against women:
- Domestic violence from husbands and family members
- Sexual assault and rape
- Emotional and mental abuse
- Taking away widows’ property and inheritance
- Harmful widowhood practices
- Child neglect and abuse
As of October 30, 2025, FIDA recorded 152 cases for the year. Thirty-four cases involved domestic violence. FIDA won four cases with two criminal convictions and two civil case victories.
Why Gender-Based Violence Happens
Cultural Beliefs and Traditions
Many cases of gender-based violence happen because of old cultural beliefs. These beliefs say that men have more power than women. Some traditions teach that women must stay silent when they face abuse.
Traditional practices around widowhood cause much suffering. When a husband dies, his family often takes the widow’s home and property. The family treats the widow badly and forces her to leave.
The Problem of Silence
Many women do not report gender-based violence. They stay quiet because tradition tells them not to speak against their husbands or family members. Some families pay money to victims to keep them quiet about rape or abuse.
FIDA Chairperson Amara Muojeke explained that culture stops many women from getting help. Families prefer to settle cases privately instead of going to court. This silence lets abusers continue hurting women and children.
Ifeoma’s Silent Suffering
Ifeoma Adinma is a 37-year-old mother of three from Nnewi. Her husband beats her regularly. She hides her bruises and makes excuses when neighbors ask about her injuries.
Ifeoma believes what her elders taught her: a good wife never shames her husband in public. When people tried to help her, she refused. She told them she only wanted peace for her children.
Ifeoma still lives with the man who hurts her. Her story shows how tradition keeps women trapped in violent homes.
How FIDA Works to Stop Gender-Based Violence
FIDA’s Main Activities
Every week, FIDA receives calls from women who need help. The organization gets cases about widows losing their homes, girls facing sexual abuse, and women abandoned by their partners.
FIDA starts by listening to victims’ stories. The lawyers try to solve problems through mediation with community leaders. When peaceful solutions fail, FIDA takes cases to court.
Sometimes FIDA gets emergency calls at midnight. The lawyers move quickly because delays can cost lives. FIDA Chairperson Muojeke said their mandate is to protect women’s rights, children’s rights, and help poor people who cannot afford lawyers.
Working with Traditional Leaders
Many traditional rulers now work with FIDA. These leaders send victims to FIDA for help. The organization calls these rulers “allies” because they support justice for women.
However, some traditional and religious leaders still block justice without meaning to. FIDA continues teaching these leaders about the law. When leaders understand women’s rights, they become helpful partners in stopping gender-based violence.
Special Courts for Gender-Based Violence Cases
How Special Courts Help
Anambra State now has special Gender-Based Violence courts. These courts include a Magistrate Court and a High Court. These special courts have made it easier to prosecute people who commit gender-based violence.
FIDA Litigation Committee Chairperson Lauretta Ikwuka said that before these courts existed, many gender-based violence cases never reached court. Cases that did reach court often did not finish. Now, judges in the special courts are firm about punishing offenders.
Problems with the Special Courts
The two special courts have too many cases for just two judges. Victims must travel long distances from places like Ogbaru, Orumba, and Omambala to Awka for court hearings. Many victims cannot afford transportation costs.
Between January and December 2024, the Police Command in Anambra reported 38 gender-based violence cases. Ministry of Justice records from September 30, 2025, show 132 offenders on file. Only 16 offenders received convictions. Sixty-nine cases remain in court. Fourteen cases stopped, and 27 defendants went free.
These numbers show the justice system still struggles to punish all offenders. More courts and judges could help solve this problem.
Challenges FIDA Faces
Money Problems
FIDA lawyers work without pay. They use their own money for transportation, court filing fees, and housing for victims. Lauretta Ikwuka said this work drains them emotionally and financially.
FIDA Anambra funds its activities mainly through donations from members. The organization needs more financial support to continue its work.
Need for Safe Shelters
FIDA rescues women from violent homes, but the organization lacks safe places to keep them. Sometimes FIDA pays rent for victims for a few months, but this is not sustainable.
FIDA has one place used as a shelter, but it is not enough. Chairperson Muojeke said more shelters would help more women escape violence safely.
Cases That Stop Suddenly
Some families force victims to drop cases after receiving money from offenders. In one case, FIDA paid for surgery for a little girl who was sexually abused. Later, her parents withdrew the complaint after the offender’s family paid them money.
These situations break FIDA lawyers’ hearts. They fight and spend their own money, only to see the people they help abandon the cases.
What FIDA Needs to Do More
Practical Support Needed
FIDA Chairperson Muojeke said the organization needs more than praise. FIDA needs money to pursue cases and empower survivors economically.
When women can earn money and feed their children, they are less likely to return to abusive homes. FIDA wants to see women and children live with dignity.
Government and Community Support
FIDA is asking for help from different groups:
- Government should allocate budget money for organizations that provide legal aid
- Government should establish more special courts across the three senatorial zones
- Philanthropists should help build shelters
- Organizations should fund education for victims’ children
- Groups should support vocational training for survivors
Decentralizing Justice
FIDA urged the state government to create more special courts in different areas. When courts are closer to victims, more women will feel confident to speak out and seek justice.
Progress in Fighting Gender-Based Violence
Awareness About Gender-Based Violence Laws
The Womanity Index Report by Invictus Africa shows changing awareness levels. In 2023, 75% of people knew about existing gender-based violence laws in Anambra State. Only 25% were unaware.
In 2024, awareness dropped to 57%. This means 43% of people did not know about laws protecting women. This drop shows that more education is needed about women’s rights and gender-based violence laws.
Small Victories Matter
Every woman FIDA helps represents a victory against oppression. Every widow who keeps her home, every girl who gets justice, and every family restored shows progress.
Vivian still travels from Abia State to attend court hearings in Anambra. She said she will keep fighting until she gets justice. FIDA believes in her case and continues to support her.
Nkemdilim lives with her children at her parents’ house now. She waits for court updates from FIDA with hope. She said she lost everything but did not lose faith in God or good people.
FIDA’s Message About Gender-Based Violence
FIDA’s lawyers, mothers, and volunteers work as the thin line between despair and deliverance. Their message is clear: no woman should walk alone through injustice.
Both Vivian and Nkemdilim dream of a day when widows will not have to beg for the right to stay in their own homes. They dream of a time when justice will not depend on luck or charity.
FIDA Chairperson Muojeke and her team keep pushing forward despite limited resources. Their greatest reward is seeing a woman who came crying walk out smiling.
Understanding What Drives Gender-Based Violence
Campaigners against gender-based violence say several factors cause this problem:
- Cultural norms that give men more power than women
- Patriarchy systems that favor men over women
- Harmful widowhood and inheritance practices
- Knowledge gaps about women’s rights
- Low reporting of gender-based violence cases
- Low incomes and economic vulnerability
- Weak enforcement of laws
- Limited institutional capacity to handle cases
Final Thoughts on FIDA and Gender-Based Violence
FIDA represents hope for women and children facing gender-based violence in Anambra State. The organization provides free legal services when many women have nowhere else to turn. FIDA’s work shows that fighting gender-based violence requires dedication, resources, and community support.
Gender-based violence remains a serious problem in Anambra State. Rising case numbers show that more women and children need protection. Volunteers continue their work despite financial challenges and cultural resistance.
Every person can help stop gender-based violence. Supporting organizations like FIDA, teaching children about respect and equality, and speaking against abuse all make a difference. When communities work together, they can protect women and children from harm.
Conclusion
The International Federation of Women Lawyers continues fighting gender-based violence in Anambra State through free legal services, shelter support, and court advocacy. Despite challenges including funding constraints and cultural barriers, FIDA has helped hundreds of women reclaim their rights and dignity. Supporting organizations like FIDA strengthens the fight against gender-based violence.
For more resources and information about gender-based violence prevention and women’s rights, visit genderpedia.ng/shop to access helpful materials and support tools.
