Female Inmates and returned citizens (`FIRC) is a cooperative society and non-government in Nigeria. It started three years ago (2021) with a group of female ex-inmates in Nigeria. The organization was born out of the passion of female returned (ex-inmates) who want to change their ugly experiences while incarcerated and improve the general welfare of all female inmates and returned citizens in Nigeria’s custodial centers. FIRC `is committed to partnership with other NGOs and CSOs for correctional reforms.

Vision
An inclusive and safe platform for all female inmates and returned citizens to be empowered, reformed, and re-integrated into societies above all odds of discrimination and stigmatization.

Mission
To create an inclusive and safe space for all female inmates and returned citizens to have a voice to tell their stories and can change their ugly past through advocacy, empowerment, rehabilitation, re-integration, and general welfare of their members in Nigeria.

Thematic areas
Training and workshops: we use training/workshops as instruments to empower our members on different issues ranging from knowledge on human rights standards on the treatment of female inmates (prisoners), mainstreaming gender sensitiveness in correctional management, skills on the production of reusable sanitary pads, cloths, liquid soaps etc. FIRC has trained over 80 female ex-inmates to produce reusable sanitary pads across three custodial centers – Niger, Lagos, and Enugu. Voice funded the project with technical support from CAPIO.

The main objective of this project is to enhance access to self-reliance opportunities and health rehabilitation for incarcerated women and girls in Nigeria. The project aims at consolidating on the gains of our previous project that empowered over sixty (60) female ex-inmates and incarcerated women and girls in Suleja Custodial Center in the production of sanitary pads. Our members in other Nigerian states (Lagos, Enugu, and the plateau) who were unable to access the workshop center in Abuja due to distance and a lack of resources will now have the opportunity to become self-sufficient by learning new skills such as sanitary pad production, bead making, shoe making, and bag making. The beauty of this clever approach is that the training will be provided free of charge by our members who have been trained to instruct others. Our members in other states can be included to maximize their potential in the spirit of “Leave No One Behind.”

Skilled and confident women and girls who are self-sufficient in managing their immediate needs are one of the project’s expected outcomes. By amplifying the voices of incarcerated women and girls, as well as female ex-inmates, the project will mobilize and unify their voices to promote the change they want to see. Furthermore, the project would boost female inmates’ access to sanitary pads and encourage healthy behavior.

The project’s long-term goal is to significantly contribute to achieving Sustainable Development Goals 1, 2, 3, 5, and 8. Specifically, the project aims to strengthen the rehabilitation and re-integration processes of incarcerated women and girls through enhancing access to skills acquisition opportunities and healthy prison experience. More women and girls in the custodial centre will have access to sanitary pads. This will reduce sexual and reproductive health problems caused by poor sanitary practices. Through the Voice Empowerment Grant, incarcerated women and girls who were once excluded, suffered stigmatization, and exploited while in custody have been given a voice to achieve self-reliance.