By Ahmed Ahmed
An Non-governmental Organisations (NGO) in Bauchi state Attah Sisters Helping Hand Foundation (ASHHF) partners International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) to train ten women paralegals to tackle Sexual Gender Based Violence (SGBV) in Bauchi communities.
Our correspondent reports that the role of paralegals in the communities is to support lawyers in their work and they are choose to specialize in a specific cases such SGBV among others.
Mr Kingsley Yallings, Programme Manager of the Foundation stated this in an interview our correspondent on Thursday in Bauchi.
He said the training of paralegals would encourage respect for human rights, the rule of law and as well
creates a better environment in the communities for all.
“It also promotes peace and positive change and bridge the gap between the community and the victim/survivor of all forms of violence in the communities,”
He said the women were extensively trained on SGBV, Harmful Traditional Practices, survivors of violence against Women do not seek help, remedies available offenses,laws addressing the violence and Marriage and Related issues.
“Other topics include functions of a paralegals, examination of facts, record-keeping, conducting legal clinics, community capacity-building,
“They also include networking and advocacy, qualities of a good paralegal,conflict resolution and counseling skills,” he said.
Mr Yallings explained that the foundation successfully by training the women and establish the community paralegal system in the State.
He said the two days training was supported by ActionAid Nigeria under the Women Voice livelihood (WVL-N Project In the state.
He urged the community to support the paralegals for the betterment of the citizens as they work with solicitors, barristers and/or chartered legal executives for the sanity of the communities.
The participants were drawn from Rafin Zurfi, Yelwa, Tudun Yerima, Kandahar and Nasarawa communities of Bauchi metropolis.
