Cali served as the setting for the 38th International Convention of the Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), a triennial event bringing together women lawyers from nearly 72 countries to address globally relevant legal and social issues that contribute to preserving the rights of women and girls.

Over the four days of the convention, participants explored and discussed advances and challenges in areas such as the role of artificial intelligence in the legal field and its impact on women. This analysis considered how new social and technological dynamics can become key tools for women’s empowerment worldwide.

Some panels focused on urgent issues like marital rape, violence within the armed forces, and femicide, aiming to shed light on these realities and propose legal solutions to strengthen the protection of women’s rights in contexts of violence and abuse.

Other sessions addressed structurally significant topics such as pension reforms, the concept of new masculinities, and women’s political participation, highlighting the impact of these factors on women’s rights and opportunities in various countries.

Panels on neurological orphan diseases and the legal situation of WebCam Models resonated strongly, emphasizing the need for support and advocacy for issues that are becoming increasingly common in this century. Topics related to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were also discussed, with a focus on women’s empowerment and its role in achieving gender equality as a fundamental human right across diverse cultures worldwide.

The convention concluded with a presentation of findings, achievements, and progress reports from each FIDA-affiliated country. The closing ceremony celebrated the election of Ezinwa Nwanyeze Okoroafor from Nigeria as the new President of FIDA International. She will lead the organization and represent FIDA at events worldwide for the next three years, guiding efforts to protect the rights of women and girls in the legal field.

Joining her, Beryinetd Grisales was appointed as Vice President for South America, tasked with strengthening FIDA’s presence and actions in this region. Additionally, Parliamentarian Carolina Ríos Villota of Colombia was reaffirmed as a key legislative representative, broadening FIDA’s reach in initiatives promoting equity and justice for women in Latin America.

With this leadership team, FIDA International reaffirms its commitment to defending women’s rights globally and continues to work toward a more equitable future.