International Federation of Women Lawyers

History

FIDA is the Spanish acronym for the International Federation of Women Lawyers. (Federacion International d'abogadas)

The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA)was founded in 1944 by a group of women lawyers from five American countries.It expanded to various countries over the years.

FIDA was introduced into Ghana in 1968 by a group of Ghanaian women lawyers who were individual members of the world body. FIDA-Ghana was formally launched in 1974. It is a non-profit, non- partisan and non-governmental membership organisation, committed to the enhancement of the status of Ghanaian women and children through legal aid, legal literacy and education programs, advocacy, law reform, research and publications. The membership of FIDA-Ghana is open to female lawyers and female law students. Female lawyers who obtain their legal qualifications in foreign countries are allowes to join the Federation as Associate members.

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Objectives in Promoting Good Governance

FIDA-Ghana shares the same broad aims and objectives as the International body.
These are:
A. To promote the principles and aims of the United Nations in their legal and Social dimensions.

B. To enhance and promote the welfare of humanity but more particularly, women and children, realizing that the happines of the home and the strength of society depends on this.

Services

In furtherance of its objectives, FIDA-Ghana

a. Provides probono legal aid services in the form of legal advice, counseling and court representation to the needy.

b. Pursues legal literacy programs aimed at the simplification, interpretation and translation (into local languages) of legislation, particularly those that affect women and children

c. Advocates and lobbies for the amendment and passage of gender-sensitive legislation.

d. Initiates research into socio-legal issues affecting the status of women and children.

e. Sensitises the Ghanaian society on gender-related issues of global concern and, in particular, highlights and promotes departure from oppressive customs.

Establishes networks and links with other developmental groups for the advancement of women.

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Clientele

The clientele of FIDA-Ghana are
A. Women and children, particularly the indigent,

B. The general public, and,

C. The arms of Government.

Structure

FIDA-Ghana funtions through the following arms:

a. The Executive Board made up of the President, Vice-President, immediate Past President, Secretary, Treasurer, Public Relations Officer, Historian and Parliamentarian.

b. The General meeting which includes all members of the Federation. This body meets once a month to discuss matters referred to it by the Executive Board and any other matters of concern to the Federation. Decisions taken at the General meeting are by majority vote.

c.The Secretariat: This comprises the Executive Director and three others. The Executive Director is responsible for the day to day running of the legal centre. She is assisted by four (4) support staff. These five are the only paid staff of the organisation. All other members of FIDA-Ghana render voluntary services to the organisation.

Office Location

FIDA-Ghana's offices are based in Accra on house number 4, Fourth Crescent Avenue, Assylum Down. The regional office is located in Kumasi, near the offices of the Ghana Broadcasting Company (GBC). A paralegal centre has also been opened in Koforidua within the Municipal Assembly Buildings, opposite the Jackson Park.

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