FONWIP
Forum of Nigerian Women in Politics

mél fonwip@yahoo.co.uk

Abstract

The main focus of the Forum of Nigerian Women in Politics (FONWIP) is to promote women's empowerment and eradicate all forms of violence and discrimination against women. It supports women in decision-making in both the public and private sectors. The group organizes seminars on empowerment and inequality; presents the women's political agenda to political parties; requests that governments include at least 30% female representation in government appointments, attempts to increase officials' awareness of gender issues in public policies, and conducts workshops for women who aspire to run for public offices, in which party leaders and government officials share their experiences.

 

DEFINITION

FONWIP is a nationwide non-governmental organization (NGO) with State chapters all over Nigeria. It is a membership organization with Local chapters at every L.G.A (Local Grass root).

The proverbial story of the mustard seed, which is one of the smallest of seeds, that grows into one of the largest of trees, providing shelter and rest for different birds of the air epitomizes the success story of FONWIP, Edo State.

Inaugurated on the 29th day of August, 1996, FONWIP, has been blazing the trail of championing the course for the advancement of a fully egalitarian society where all forms of discriminations, social vices and harmful cultural / traditional practices, militating against women in particular are eradicated, promoting democracy and good governance. FONWIP Edo state, was launched in the State capital on the 29th day of August 1996 at the Edo State House of Assembly Complex Ring Road, Benin city, under the distinguished chairmanship of Justice Rufus Ugbobine of blessed memory.

Mission statement and development

The main focus of this organization, is to redress issues militating against female empowerment (economical, Social, political and otherwise) eradicating all forms of violence and discriminations against women and the girl child. Supporting women in decision making, both at public and private sectors. Grooming the girl child towards womanhood, promoting good governance and democracy, based on equity transparency and accountability.

 

OBJECTIVES

• To establish a professional forum of all Nigerian Women, that will ensure discipline, integrity decency and mainstream participation in Nigerian politics and governance.
• To establish special training, and resource services, research data and records as well as ensure constitutional, human election and appointment right/ equity for and of Nigerian women.
• To establish a registration board and code of conduct as well as standards for all women politicians/political appointees.
• To serve as liaison and conflict resolution arbiter between women politicians, as well as network with, and between the forum and all other women, including male facilitators of women empowerment.
• To liaise with and help political parties and government to follow up on manifestoes, resolution in respect of equal and mainstream participation of women in politics and promoting good governance.
• To link and network with other similar organizations at community based, national, sub regional Africa-regional and world levels.
• To raise funds to defend, and support qualified female candidates, for free legal service, for the building of the forum Headquarters and for management support.
• To groom and field female candidates for political offices and other forms of women empowerment.
• To hasten the removal of all obstacles to women's full and equal participation in politics and decision making in Nigeria.(VAW,Trafficking, HIV/AIDS etc.)
• To ensure the empowering of women / girls, with a view of developing their self-esteem, dignity and confidence, eradicating all forms of infidelity (female trafficking).
• To make developing women more vocal on issues of national importance and equal participation in politics and other forms of decision-making processes.

 

FUNCTIONS

In achieving its objectives, the forum will:

• Provide a platform for formulating and disseminating women's opinions and ideas.
• Deal with request and petitions from women for political problems or other request by making representation to the appropriate sector(s), Government and employers when deemed necessary. (c) Send delegates and/or other political groups, to attend political meetings and conferences in other to ensure effective democratic process.
• Publish materials and any other materials which the Forum may deem fit to effectively carry out its aims and objectives.
• Hold seminars conferences and workshops to disseminate information to achieve its aim
• Organize a biennial convention which all members are expected to attend. e) Net-work with other similar organizations, groups and government to effectively carry out its Aims and objectives.

 

MAIN ACTIVITIES CARRIED OUT

 

1) Network with other similar NGOs on issues militating against women development organizing seminars and workshops 1996 till date.

2) Organizing Training workshop and seminar on women empowerment and also presenting educative ideas and opinions at different workshops, seminars, rallies and gatherings 1996 till date

3) Advocacy on women's rights, Violence Against Women and issues affecting them, using the media (electronics and print) and other means deem fit– 1996 till date. Such as the self sustenance policy imposed on Edo State government print and electronics media and other government parastatals, including the challenge of the first Bank new management policy on married staff couple.

4) Post Beijing Women's Political Awareness Summits (Southern Zone) in Collaboration with FONWIP, River State 1996.

5) Sensitizing traditional rulers on the eradication of all forms of traditional harmful practices militating against women, the girl child e.g Harmful Widowhood practices and FGM and also, soliciting for their support towards eradicating all forms of traditional practices militating against women development. 1996 – till date.

6) Network with the Federal and state ministries of women affairs and social development on gender issues and rights 1996 till date.

7) Enlightenment campaign to markets, L.G.A Councils. Chairmen, Community leaders, women groups, and unions on global concern for women's issues and the presentation of the Beijing platform for action and the outcome of CEDAW 1996-1998.

8) Seminar on "Suppression of women in public life" – exposing participants to in equalities in recruitment policies in Government and private sectors and erasing erroneous assumption that men are better suited for particular career jobs than women. 1997.

9) Political Exchange Forum/Presentation of the Political Agenda for Nigeria Women to the then five political parties (CNC, DPN, GDM, NCPN & UNCP) 1997.

10) Sensitizing the state Independent National Electoral Commission and executive arm of government on women empowerment and rights including the presentation of the Beijing platform for Action and the political Agenda for Nigeria Women to them. 1997, followed by a seminar which also involve NGOs and women's groups in 1998

11) Mobilized government at all levels, even private firms to be gender conscious in making policies and programmes, enlightening them to include at least 30% female representation in appointment and capacity building 1997 till date.

12) Stock taking and Future Direction of the Beijing platform of Action organized by UNDP as part of activities planned by the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs & Social Dev. to mark International Women's day March 8th 1997.

13) Legal pursuit of an internationally trafficked female child, in conjunction with Women's Right Watch, 1997 - till date.

14) Monitoring of elections 1997-1999

15) Marking the International Women's Day on March 8th 1999-till date. E.g 2000 NGO coalition (Networking). Theme: "Women Waging Peace" Topic: "Value Women's Work" Global March to Government House and the House of Assembly. Ministry of Information and Sport. Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ). Oba Market and Oredo Local Government Council. 2000

16) Campaign against female trafficking, making presentations at different fora, using the media (electronics & print) and personal contact- 1997 till date..

17) Two weeks activism on "Violence Against Women" TOT Workshop for NGOs CBOs and Government representatives to mark the United Nation's/UNIFEM National Strategies/Programme campaign on VAW 1998.

18) Symposium marking the 50th Anniversary of the Universal declaration of Human Rights Topic: Violence Against Women (VAW) 1998. 18 NGO and CBOs consultative meeting with SPDC (shell) Warri Community Development Department - 1999

20) Presentation to Edo State Government on re-instating the scrapped Edo State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development and appointment of female commissioners and Board Chair and Members in the year 1999.

21) Sensitizing the Speaker of Edo State House of Assembly on gender equality in governance. (elective and appointive) in all arms of government with the presentation of the CEDAW and Beijing platform for Action to him. 1999. And also, presenting and supporting gender-based bills and memoranda to the Edo State house of assembly, that could lead to the eradication of violence against women and promote women's right, such as choosing supervisory councilors and secretaries from outside the elected councilors which led to passing of the bills into law in 1999,and also Female genital mutilation(FGM) and Female trafficking, and other Harmful Traditional Practices Militating Against Women Development

22) Visit to Oronsaye and Ogbe orphanage homes with food items, material and cash donation yearly event, 1996-date. And presenting same to kerosene victims in University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) 2001.

23) Training workshop/Town Hall meeting on democracy and good governance, for elected council chairmen, councilors and their community representatives (traditional rulers, union leaders; student market women, aimed at bridging the gap between the elected and the electorates in Edo State 1999.

24) We create room for economic empowerment and build self reliance through the establishment of co-operative society, training members on skills such as soap making, snail farming, cassava and other agricultural activities 1998-till date, raising fund for those in need towards their economic empowerment by giving small-scale loans with support from Foundation Builders an NGO. 2000 .

25) Panel of discussant in a symposium, marking National Day Celebration 2000. Topic: "Good Governance. Ingredient for a successful Democracy: Edo State a case study" organized by Edo State Ministry of Information, Youth and Sports.

FONWIP AT FOUR - 2000 The activities marking its four years of existence was marked with chains of activities cannot be an over-emphasis to conveniently say that government, guardians, institutions, persons and authorities have the responsibilities to respect women's right.

 

26) The following activities were carried out

• (a) Awareness/Campaign rallies to NUJ Press centre, Ministry of Information and Sports; EBS, ITV, Chief judge of Edo State, House of Assembly and Ministry of Women Affairs on female gender sensitivity and consciousness
• (b) Visit to the Neonatal Ward of Central Hospital, Benin City, where a suction machine and hot water bottles were donated. Visit to Edo Orphanage, Benin City. Where food items, cash and toiletries were donated.
• (c) Seminar: "The Media as a Tool for Women Development" Organized in collaboration with Edo State Government for elected and appointed women in key offices of the state and Local Governments and wives of their male counterparts. Also the launching of Women Agenda 2003 by CPD.
• (d). Dinner/Awards Night to honor illustrious sons and daughters of Edo State in particular and the country in general, who have excelled in their various fields of endeavor and have contributed immensely to the development of the country and supporting women development.

27) Enlightenment campaign on HIV/AIDS in Rural areas during activities and using the media 2001.

28) In conjunction with United Nation's General Assembly making "The International Year of Volunteers (IYV) United Nationals Volunteer (UNV) Committee "Edo State 2000 – 2001. Topic HIV/AIDS (NGO Coalition)

29) Primary Health Care Programme in collaboration with New Nigeria Foundation/Citizen International – UNDP: 2000.

30) Alerting government and other stake holders on the new policy of First Bank and threatening the bank authority to withdraw such policy with apology to those concerned. In collaboration with NLC and NUBIFIE. ( This was when one partner of all married couple who were there as staff of the bank where asked to resign from the bank ).

31) Government, guardians, institutions, persons and authorities have the responsibilities for the care and maintenance of the child, where this is missing, it becomes a violation of the child's right. Women's right on the other hand, have reasonably been trampled upon. We have addressed this equitably, with the following activities;

• (A) Collaborating with other children and youth based NGOs to address such issues, such as making presentations at Girls Power Initiative (GPI) programs,
• (B) the sponsorship of Foundation Builders seminar on eradication of social vicesin AAU, Ibadan Polytechnic, Olori Hall and Auchi Polytechnic, BSU Auchi, including
• (C) the joint programme organized for UNIBEN, AAU and AGAPE Force (a youth unit in the church) 2002

32) Lobbing of political party leaders on projecting female candidates for the fourth coming Elections from councillorship down to presidential. 2002

33) Organized a workshop for all female aspirants from councillorship to presidential position, with the theme "Women and Politics in the 21st century". The chairmen of the earlier registered political parties (AD, PDP & APP) were invited to present papers, on different topics, based on experience, including the commissioner of INEC, Edo State, the chair, House committee on Women Affairs, the State commissioner of women Affairs & Social Development, amongst others on different topics based on experience. The local party leaders, both men and women in the areas where we have these aspirants were also invited, HRH. The Oba of Benin Kingdom, Oba Erediauwa was gracefully represented by Chief Okungbowa Akpata, The Aihioba of Benin Kingdom while the wife of the Executive Governor of Edo State Mrs. Eki Igbinedion was also represented by the Hon. Commissioner for women Affairs and social Dev. Both of them presented their good will messages.

34) Sensitization exercise on voters registration exercise to the different wards at the grass-root levels in the communities, based in Edo State as a pilot State. 2002

 

MEMBERSHIP

Membership is open to all female 18 years and above. We have members in the 18 local government of Edo State which I'm the president.

Florence IGBINIGIE-ERHABOR (JP)
45 Owina Street, off Sokponba Road,
Ring Road,
BENIN CITY, Edo State, NIGERIA

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