The Senate Leader, Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, has donated a brand-new bus to the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Ekiti State Branch, to strengthen its efforts in promoting justice and protecting the rights of women and children.

Bamidele announced the donation during the 2026 FIDA Ekiti Law Week held at Afe Babalola Hall, Ekiti State High Court, Ado-Ekiti, where he called for stronger legislation, effective enforcement of existing laws and improved institutional accountability to address challenges affecting women and children.

Speaking as the guest speaker at the event themed, “Justice in a Changing World: Responding to New Challenges Affecting Women and Children,” the Senate Leader described the protection of women and children as a constitutional responsibility and an investment in national stability.

He identified gender-based violence, including domestic abuse, rape, human trafficking, harmful traditional practices and technology-facilitated abuse, as major threats to women’s rights and dignity.

He also expressed concern over economic exclusion, inadequate representation in leadership, limited access to healthcare and digital inequality, noting that poverty, unemployment and weak enforcement of laws continue to worsen the situation.

On children’s welfare, Bamidele highlighted child abuse, neglect, trafficking, forced labour, child marriage, malnutrition, inadequate education and online exploitation as challenges requiring urgent attention.

He further noted that emerging developments such as artificial intelligence, globalisation, digitalisation, climate change and insecurity have created additional vulnerabilities for women and children.

The lawmaker called for a comprehensive approach that prioritises not only the enactment of laws but also proper funding, enforcement, accountability and measurable outcomes.

Earlier, the Chairperson of FIDA Ekiti, Mrs Ayobami Olowoyo, described the theme as relevant to current realities and reaffirmed the association’s commitment to advocacy, legal assistance and partnerships aimed at protecting women and children.

The event featured a keynote address by Professor Smarander Olarinde and attracted the Chief Judge of Ekiti State, the Onise of Odo-Oro Ekiti, Oba Babatunde Jemileyin, the Deputy Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Hon. Steve Fatoba, legal practitioners and other stakeholders.

The bus donation was described as a significant boost to FIDA Ekiti’s operations and its efforts to ensure that women and children have access to justice and legal protection.