By Law Ibitoye
The Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, has called for stronger collaboration among lawmakers, legal practitioners and government institutions to address emerging challenges threatening the rights, safety and welfare of women and children in Nigeria.
Bamidele said the changing nature of societal challenges, particularly technology-driven abuse, domestic violence, discrimination and the denial of women’s inheritance rights, required coordinated efforts to ensure that justice remained accessible, affordable and effective for victims.
He made the call on Monday at the 2026 Law Week of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Ekiti State Chapter, held under the theme, “Justice in a Changing World: Responding to New Challenges Affecting Women and Children.”
The lawmaker who is the guest speaker donated a new bus to the Association to ease their operation,. He identified cyberbullying, online harassment, sexual exploitation and the non-consensual circulation of intimate images as emerging threats requiring urgent attention, noting that children were increasingly exposed to online predators while women faced digital intimidation and abuse.
He stressed that justice must go beyond constitutional guarantees and provisions in statute books to become accessible, affordable, timely and effective, particularly for victims of abuse and discrimination. Bamidele maintained that women experiencing domestic violence must be able to seek protection without intimidation or social condemnation, while children who suffered abuse should receive adequate protection, care and support.
He called for stronger collaboration among the National Assembly, state legislatures, the judiciary, law enforcement agencies and social welfare institutions to improve the implementation of laws protecting vulnerable groups.
The Senate Leader also highlighted the importance of the Special Seats Bill, describing it as one of the legislative interventions aimed at promoting women’s participation and representation in governance. He urged FIDA to sustain its advocacy and engagement with lawmakers and relevant government institutions, particularly in identifying gaps in existing legislation and pushing for reforms that address the changing realities confronting women and children.
Bamidele further emphasised the need for adequate funding of child protection and women’s health programmes, alongside effective monitoring to ensure that approved resources translated into meaningful outcomes.
He noted that protecting women and children was a collective responsibility requiring the involvement of men, boys, families, communities and public institutions in challenging harmful practices and promoting respect for human dignity.
Earlier, the Chairperson of FIDA, Ekiti State Chapter, Mrs Ayobami Olowoyo-Richards, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to promoting, protecting and preserving the rights of women and children through advocacy, legal representation, public enlightenment and strategic partnerships.
She appreciated the sponsors, donors, partners and supporters whose contributions made the Law Week possible, while commending the planning committee for its dedication and commitment to the success of the programme.
Olowoyo-Richards expressed optimism that discussions at the event would produce practical recommendations to strengthen the protection of women and children and improve their access to justice.
In a goodwill message, a member of the House of Representatives representing Ado/Irepodun-Ifelodun Federal Constituency, Hon. Steve Fatoba, urged legal practitioners to adopt a human-centred approach in interpreting and applying the law.
Fatoba applauded the theme of the programme, describing it as timely in view of emerging challenges confronting women and children, and called on lawyers to ensure that justice remained responsive to the needs and realities of vulnerable members of society.
DIgnitaries at the event include: Hon Olusola Steve Fatoba, traditional ruler., chiefs , Lawyers. Academia. Ekiti state House of Assembly members , Representative of Commissioner of Police Ekiti State, students among others..