PRESS STATEMENT
The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Nigeria – Abuja Branch, is saddened by the recent incident of the abandonment of a day-old baby by its mother, somewhere in Mpape, Abuja, as widely reported in the media. Such acts not only jeopardize the safety and well-being of innocent children but also undermine our collective humanity and the values we hold dear as a society.
While we acknowledge that the pressures of life – ranging from economic hardship, domestic violence, unplanned pregnancies, and lack of support systems – may push some women into desperate situations, child abandonment is neither justifiable nor acceptable. The dangers associated with such actions are grave: abandoned children are left vulnerable to abuse, exploitation, malnutrition, and death, while such mothers risk criminal prosecution, societal stigmatization and deep emotional trauma.
As an organization dedicated to the promotion, protection and preservation of the rights and wellbeing of women and children, FIDA Nigeria – Abuja Branch urges government to strengthen welfare programs, create awareness on lawful alternatives for childcare, and ensure that mechanisms are in place to prevent incidents of abandonment. The biological duty of birthing children which women bear is a collective gain of humanity and deliberate efforts should be made to ensure that necessary resources and facilities are made available to aid any challenged woman bearing this noble duty.
It is pertinent at this point to condemn the irresponsible trend of husbands or fathers abandoning their family without sustenance. This is not only immoral, but also unlawful as it contravenes our laws, particularly the VAPP Act and the CRA. Lawful and dignified options should be explored by men who find themselves in challenging situations instead of resorting to abandonment of their family/dependents.
We also appeal to the public to foster a culture of compassion and support. Together, we can build a society where no mother feels so overwhelmed that abandonment seems like her only option. The combined efforts of adequate provision of necessary resources and facilities, and a generous expression of the right sense of humanity by the society, will be a sure way of eliminating the possibility of any woman submitting to such extreme option.
Importantly, FIDA Nigeria – Abuja Branch calls on women facing seemingly insurmountable challenges, to seek lawful and humane alternatives.
Some of these include:
- Engaging family and community support systems: With our general commendable communal way of living, women in distress should speak out and seek help from trusted family members, friends, or religious and community organizations that can offer necessary support.
- Accessing support from government and non-governmental agencies: Various organizations, including FIDA Nigeria, are available to provide legal aid, counseling, and social welfare services to distressed mothers. With FIDA’s presence across Nigeria with 44 branches in the 36 states of the federation and the FCT, one can easily locate a FIDA branch closest to them.
- Exploring legal child adoption services: For women unable to care for their children, legal child adoption remains a lawful and dignified option. This ensures the child’s well-being and provides them with a stable and loving home. It also helps save the mother from any trauma of abandonment that they may expose themselves to if they pursue any less than noble option.
- Exploring legal child fostering services: Just as child adoption, the CRA also provides for child fostering, all towards protecting children. Though not as popularly known, challenged mothers may consider putting up their children for fostering – that way, they can regain custody of their children after the period of their challenge.
- Reporting cases of violence: Since diverse forms of domestic abuse is one of the challenges that may trigger a recourse to condemnable desperate options, women experiencing domestic abuse should report their circumstances to the appropriate authorities like the Police, NAPTIP, NHRC and such other law enforcement authorities, or support organizations to receive the help they need.
- Accessing medical help: Statistics show that some women may suffer diverse post-natal mental disorders that can trigger them into even unconscionable actions. Psychological evaluations should be made easily available to new mothers to ensure their mental wellbeing to better protect them and their vulnerable newborns.
Finally, we encourage adults to consider safe family planning options that protect them from unwanted or unplanned pregnancies pending when they are ready and able to bear the responsibility of raising a family. The negative consequences of unplanned pregnancy can be dire on the woman, the child, the family and the society at large, and is best avoided.
FIDA Nigeria – Abuja Branch reiterates our commitment to supporting women in distress in the FCT by offering pro bono legal services, counselling, and advocacy for better human rights protection and social protection measures. For legal assistance or further inquiries, please contact FIDA Nigeria – Abuja Branch at Room GA 15, Ground Floor, Federal Ministry of Justice, Shehu Shagari Way, Abuja.
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Email Address: fidaabujanig@gmail.com
Contact Number: 08060774236
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SIGNED
CHIOMA U. ONYENUCHEYA-UKO
Chairperson,
FIDA Nigeria – Abuja Branch.
