The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA-Ghana) is a non-profit nonpartisan organization committed to addressing discriminatory practices and promoting and protecting the rights of women and children in Ghana. FIDA-Ghana was created in 1968 by a coalition of Ghanaian women lawyers who sought to use the law to improve the lives of women and children. In 1985, FIDA-Ghana established the first legal aid service in Ghana for women and children. These services have now been extended to men. Volunteer lawyers offer counseling, settlement, mediation and court representation to indigent clients across the country.
In 2011 UNESCO said of the organization: “The quality of the work of the IFWL, a professional organization whose geographical extension is fair and representativeness relatively balanced, is undoubted. Admitted to Category C in 1961, it has co-operated with UNESCO since 1953 in the context of the consultative arrangements. It received a financial contribution from UNESCO for organizing the international congress of lawyers (1989). Its co-operation with UNESCO, which is operational in nature, has slackened in the last few years. It might consider drawing closer to NGOs that operate in similar fields.
Achievements
FIDA-GHANA established the first legal aid programme in Ghana, long before the state-run legal aid programme was initiated
FIDA-GHANA has spearheaded several law reforms to ensure the existence of gender sensitive legislation to benefit women.
FIDA-GHANA has provided a haven for distressed women, mothers and children who previously did not know where to seek assistance for legal problems.
FIDA-GHANA through its clinics, seminar and workshops has created awareness nationwide, among women and the populace of their rights and obligations and has generated among them the will and the courage to stand for their rights
Strengthening our work in the area of improving protective measures for women and girls with disabilities under the gender inclusion and voices on equality sustained (GIVES) project with support from STAR Ghana.
Application of protection and occupation orders under the domestic violence act to protect women survivors of gender-based violence under the Sustained Actions on Violence Enhanced (SAVE) project in collaboration with OSIWA.
The use of SMS platforms has provided a means to test new approaches to strengthen accountability of justice services and the empowerment of citizens, particularly WLHIV, women and girls living with disabilities to improve their justice journeys.
The GIVES project has generated lessons on how basic technology can empower differently able groups to report legal challenges to state actors and receive prompt responses.
With the generous support of STAR Ghana, FIDA is breaking new grounds in also ensuring that the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU) is able to document cases recorded by GESI groups to determine the extent and nature of violence that they are confronted with.

Background

“Federación Internacional de Abogadas” (FIDA) (International Federation of Women Lawyers), established in 1944 in Mexico City, is a global non-governmental organisation dedicated to promoting and protecting the rights of women and children through legal advocacy and social interventions. FIDA was formed by a group of women lawyers who sought to use their legal expertise to address gender inequalities and improve access to justice for marginalised groups. The organisation operates across numerous countries, providing legal aid, advocating for legislative reforms, and raising awareness about issues like domestic violence, child rights, and gender-based discrimination. Over the years, FIDA has become a significant voice in global and local efforts to achieve gender equality and social justice.

FIDA Ghana was established in 1974 as the Ghanaian branch of the global FIDA organisation. It was formed by a group of pioneering Ghanaian women lawyers committed to advancing the rights of women and children in Ghana.Founding members included distinguished female legal practitioners and advocates who were motivated by the challenges faced by women in accessing justice, gender inequality, and the lack of legal literacy among Ghanaian women.

FIDA Ghana’s Footprints

FIDA Ghana provides a unique set of services to Ghanaians. From its inception, FIDA Ghana has provided free or subsidised legal aid services to women and children, particularly those from marginalised and underserved communities who have challenges related to domestic violence, child custody disputes, inheritance conflicts, and property rights violations. Its legal aid programmes have empowered thousands of women to seek justice and challenge harmful socio-cultural norms. FIDA Ghana actively engages in public education and outreach initiatives aimed at raising awareness about legal rights. Its work has inspired a new generation of women lawyers and human rights defenders in Ghana.

The organisation is committed to advocating for legislative reforms and policies that uphold gender equality and safeguard the rights of women and children. FIDA Ghana contributed to the passage of notable laws like the Domestic Violence Act, Persons with Disability Act, and Affirmative Action Act. The organisaion has, through various studies, drawn attention to and contributed to enhanced service delivery by state-supported service providers such as the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) of the Ghana Police Service. Through strategic programming, FIDA Ghana has drawn attention to the barriers and challenges confronting persons with disability, particularly those with hearing impairment, by building the capacity of state-supported services providers to deepen their assistance to these survivors of gender-based violence.

Over the decades, FIDA Ghana has expanded its reach by establishing branches across the country to ensure that women and children access much-need legal services. The organisation has expanded its footprints in many districts and communities where it has trained paralegals to provide legal information, advice and education outreaches.

FIDA Ghana’s Unique Approach to Work

FIDA Ghana uses a range of unique approaches to advance its work.

Legal aid: We ensure that our legal aid services are inclusive of all women and girls from diverse backgrounds who face rights abuses because of their gender, age, disability, economic or social status, and other factors. Lawyers are on hand to provide legal advice, mediation, and free court representation for indigent women who do not have the economic resources to hire lawyers. In communities where there are no lawyers, we provide mobile-legal aid services.

Legal literacy: The legal literacy component of our work reaches communities in all locations of Ghana – north, south, east and west. In addition to in-person outreaches, we package information on laws into simple-to-read publications to reach a wider audience. In doing this, we challenges the social structures that perpetuate inequalities. We identify opportunities to educate Ghanaians on the implications of bills and new laws on womem’s rights (e.g., Property Rights of Spouses Bill, Lands Act, Cybersecurity Act, Affirmative Action Act ). We work through paralegals in the communities who act as a bridge between women and girls and state-supported service providers.

Research and Documentation: We undertake evidence-based studies that unearth issues of inequality and discrimination, and make recommendations for policy and law reform to enhance the legal rights of women, girls and marginalised groups.

Advocacy: Our clients experiences of discrimination, gender-based violence and injustice bolster us to advocate for improved service delivery for survivors of gender-based violence. Through advocacy directed at traditional authorities, we challenge socio-cultural norms that perpetuate violence against women and girls.

Inter-generational community: FIDA Ghana attracts a pool of young female lawyers who shadow seasoned ones in the provision of services to women and girls, and other vulnerable groups. This inter-generational focus of the network sustains the legal expertise which is the fulcrum of the organisation.

Strategic Communication: FIDA leverages traditional and digital media to enhance our image and work, and amplify the voices of the clients we serve through documenting and disseminating good practices and workable models for social justice. We ensure that the reports generated from our research are available and widely disseminated to our stakeholders.

Partnerships: FIDA works in partnership with other civil society organisations to advance its work. Such partnership has proven beneficial in reach and resources to most effectively reach women, children and other vulnerable groups in need in the country.