Princess Olusola Olayinka Sulayman, a legal practitioner, is the chairperson of Federacion Internationalé De Abogadas (FIDA) in Oyo State. She is a woman known for her strong passion to protect, promote and preserve the rights of women and children within her environment and ensuring indigent women and children get access to legal representation. She is also a strong voice for advocacy and policy campaigns that make life easier on women and children. In this interview with YEJIDE GBENGA-OGUNDARE, she speaks on women in politics and leadership and how FIDA helps to get protection for women and children.
There are many laws for women protection. Why does it seem they are not working?
Yes, there are many laws that have been put in place for the protection of women in our society. But it indeed appears that these laws are not working because we do not have effective enforcement mechanisms. Most of these laws are not given full effect because they are hardly enforced. Let’s take for example, the law that prohibits bigamy is hardly enforced while there is a judicial provision for this but the party affected may not come to the court to enforce his/her right.
What role has FIDA played in ensuring women get adequate protection from violence?
As a body of professional women, FIDA is a non-profit, non-political, voluntary association of women called to the practice of law and it has a primary role to protect, promote and preserve the rights of women and children. FIDA enhances, protects, promotes and preserves the rights and welfare of indigent women and children, realising that their well-being depends on the happiness of the home and the strength of the society.
At FIDA, we provide free legal services, counselling sessions, alternative dispute resolution services, advocacy for legislations that promote the advancement and protection of children and women. We also facilitate the strengthening of institutional and technical capacities to improve access to justice for indigent women and children. We do a lot to better the lots of women and children and we are committed to the course.
Often, women are seen as the brains behind violence against other women. How can this trend be curbed?
This is a wrong belief. I strongly disagree that women are the brains behind violence against other women; they are just victims of the system. This is a statement aimed at dividing the sisterhood. We rise by lifting others; we do not pull other women down. The objectives of FIDA clearly show that FIDA frowns on violence against women.
What are your thoughts about women in politics and leadership?
Women have what it takes; they should come out and embrace politics more than before. Women are positive change agents and will drive policies that represent the best interest of the children and the society at large better. So, women must aspire to take up leadership roles and effectively deliver their mandates not simply because they are women but strictly on competencies.
The theme for IWD this year is inclusion. How does this help women in law?
The IWD theme for this year is inclusion and as women lawyers, we have a big role to play. The women in law must have a voice and be heard. Not only heard but we must be the change required by the society. We must be agents of change and development especially for children, women and the downtrodden.
Do you agree with the assertion that religion and culture aid violation of women’s rights?
Yes. I strongly agree that religion and culture aid the violation of women’s rights, but the stereotype has been broken and more women are advocating for equity, fairness and justice. The window for change is here and more women should lend their voices.
READ ALSO: How Police Boss commited suicide in Oyo
and then