Accra, Nov. 28, GNA - The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA-Ghana) on Monday organised free medical screening for women and school children around Korle Gonno, Mamprobi and Chorkor, suburbs of Accra.

The day's outreach program forms part of the 20th anniversary celebration of the Legal Aid Services, which they provide to the poor and vulnerable women and children in society. It was under the theme: "Legal-Aid - A Tool for Promoting and Protecting the Rights of the Vulnerable in Society." A medical team led by Dr Michael Quaye from the Ridge Hospital in Accra screened and administered drugs to the people while others with complications were referred to either Ridge or Korle Bu Teaching Hospitals.

Justice Margaret Insaidoo, President of FIDA-Ghana, said the legal aid program was aimed at enhancing the status and welfare of women and children by using the law as an instrument for development. "We believe that the strength of society and cohesion of the home depend on protecting, promoting and respecting the rights of all citizens, particularly indigent and marginalised women and children," she explained.

She said in spite of numerous challenges, prominent among them being funding and logistical constraints, FIDA-Ghana had delivered quality assistance to its clients and could pride itself as the pioneer of the legal aid scheme in the country.

Mrs Jane Quaye, Executive Director, advised parents to take advantage of the schools capitation grant to enroll their children in school.

"It is important for us parents to sacrifice our comfort and quest for acquiring expensive clothing so that we save enough money to cater for our children's school needs," she added.

She also urged students to learn hard and abstain from pre-marital sex in order not to attract the deadly HIV/AIDS.

Mrs Ernestina Naana Hagan, past President, said some of our cultural practices and beliefs also serve as hindrance to the development of women and children and called for the abolition of such practices to enhance the status of women and children.

The Legal Aid Service was instituted in 1985 while FIDA-Ghana was established in 1973.

Since its inception, FIDA-Ghana has been providing other services including legal literacy, mobile legal outreach and public education through advocacy and sensitisation programmes and training on human rights issues.