As the 16 Days of Activism 2025: End digital violence against all women and girls ends, an NGO Humanity Family Foundation for Peace and Development, HUFFPED, has trained three hundred women on Legal Rights.
The beneficiaries selected across Somolu, Kosofe, Ikorodu, Lagos island and Surulere Council areas of Lagos included married and single women, widows, single mothers, persons with disabilities, and community-based organization representatives.
Executive Director HUFFPED Mrs Adekemi Adeyeye said the training was part of ongoing efforts to strengthen women’s empowerment under the Household Economic Strengthening and Resilience, HEAR, project, a comprehensive sensitization program on women’s legal rights.
According to Mrs Adeyeye, the initiative was designed to equip women with the knowledge, confidence, and tools needed to understand and assert their fundamental rights in the face of discrimination, harmful practices, and justice-related barriers.
Delivered using highly participatory and interactive methods, the sessions featured group discussions, case study analyses, open dialogue, interactions, and distribution of simplified IEC materials on legal rights.
Key topics covered included an overview of human and constitutional rights, emphasizing dignity, equality, and protection under the law.
Participants also explored women’s rights within national and international frameworks, focusing on provisions of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act, rights relating to marriage, custody, property ownership, and safeguards against harmful traditional practices.
One of the facilitators Barrister Funmilayo Idemoh-Bius, addressed how to identify and report rights violations, whether emotional, economic, physical, or psychological along with available channels such as law enforcement agencies, legal aid services, and community response structures.
A significant highlight of the sensitization was the session on confidence building and assertiveness, which helped women strengthen their voice, articulate concerns, and support others facing rights violations.
By the end of the program, participants demonstrated enhanced legal awareness, improved self-assurance, and a willingness to challenge harmful norms.
Informal support networks also emerged, enabling women to continue advocating for their rights and sharing information within their communities.
Several misconceptions rooted in cultural beliefs were clarified during discussions, helping participants better understand the protections available to them.
Despite challenges such as limited prior knowledge, fear of stigma, and cultural constraints, the women actively engaged and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to learn.
Some of the participants who appreciated HUFFPED for the opportunity said the sessions have provided a safe and supportive environment to learn, ask questions, and share real-life experiences.
“This training opened my eyes. I used to think some harmful practices were normal, but now I know my rights and how to speak up.”
“For the first time, I understand that the law actually protects women.
I feel more confident to report violations and support other women in my community.”
“The examples and discussions were very practical.
I now know where to go and who to talk to when someone’s rights are being abused.”
The training helped in raising awareness, building solidarity, and strengthening community-level advocacy for gender justice which represents an important step in empowering women to claim their rights and contribute to safer, more equitable communities.
Reporting by Yemisi Dada