Violence Against Persons Prohibition ACT: Stakeholders Meet, Disapprove Move By NASS To Repeal VAPP Act.

The decision by the National Assembly to repeal the Violence Against Persons Prohibition ACT  (VAPP)  and the effect it will have on the survivors and society, has brought  Civil Society Organisations, Religious Based Organisations and  Stakeholders together on a policy dialogue to deliberate on the issue.

At the policy dialogue meeting, stakeholders  appealed to the National Assembly to get Civil Society Organisations,  Partners,  Duty Bearers, involved in the discussion so as to make the act more robust instead of just repealing it.

The meeting held in abuja  by the Side-by-Side Movement for Gender Justice, in collaboration with the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development (Centre LSD), was supported by Christian Aid and Ford Foundation.

Stakeholders at the policy dialogue believe that if the VAPP Act is repealed, it would jeopardise the work of people advocating for gender justice, noting that despite the bill progressing through its second reading, many Nigerians remain unaware of its significance.

While disapproving of any repeal or amendment by the national Assembly without the contribution or involvement of civil society Organisations, stakeholders, at the meeting said such could be dangerous if the parliament embarks on such legislative exercise in Nigeria.

Speaking with the media, Mr Monday Osasah of the African Centre for Leadership Strategy Development, called for awareness

on the proposed annulment to the Act, as well as grassroot and community consultation.

He noted that VAPP Act is offering maximum protection to victims, facilitating effective mediation, and ensuring strict penalties to offenders.

This is as he lamented that despite the bill progressing through its second reading in the parliament, many Nigerians remain unaware of its significance.

According to him, We are appealing to the consciences of our friends at the National Assembly on the need for a VAPP law that will guide what we are doing and promote gender justice in Nigeria.

“The VAPP law is very fundamental because right from the time of COVID-19 to now, gender-based violence has been on the increase.

Osasah said the VAPP Act if repealed,would jeopardise the work of people advocating for gender justice.

“That is why we are using the opportunity of this policy dialogue to appeal to members of the National Assembly to have a rethink,” 

Expressing their opinions on the the issues stakeholders like Tope Fashola, Country Director of Christian Aid,  said that they believe that faith institutions, civil society organizations, and policymakers must work together to strengthen, rather than weaken, the legal framework protecting survivors.

Tope Fashola, stated that the policy roundtable presents an opportunity to analyze the proposed changes, highlight potential risks, and propose actionable recommendations to ensure that any amendments to the VAPP Act must reflect the best interests of those it seeks to protect.

,Mr. Benedict Chukwuma, Deputy Clerk House Committee on Women Affairs, while speaking  argued that the legislation was passed into law in 2015, saying, it was not properly implemented and section 2 should be amended where fine could be increased from N200,000 to N20 million.

 Benedict Chukwuma, added that the House recently held a public hearing and one of the issues raised was the need to amend Section 2 of the VAPP Act.

He stated that, “This is on female genital mutilation. We understand that these issues are very germane in our society.

“We are saying that in the House of Representatives, we do not think that anybody should be thinking about repealing the VAPP law,” 

Chukwuma also stated that there is a need for the Child Rights Act to be amended as many states of Nigeria have not domesticated the legislation, talk less of implementation, which is a major challenge generally.

Contributing, National Co-Chair of Side-by-Side Movement (Christian), Bishop Favour Okokon stated that they are working towards having a free society while calling on the public and private sectors to support the Act to improve and not repeal it.

In her submission, Barr. Precious Ozobulu, stated that the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act of 2015 is a law aimed at eliminating violence in private and public life, providing maximum protection and effective remedies for victims, and punishing offenders.

 “It prohibits acts such as Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), verbal, emotional, economic, and psychological abuses, harmful widowhood practices, and expands the definition of rape.” Ozubulu said

Simon Ugoudo Tov of Kindred Head, Makurdi condemned the attempted moves by Senator Isa Jubrin aimed at revoking the VAPP, hopeful that the National Assembly will rethink the whole legislative exercise.

It could be recalled that the VAPP Act was enacted as a result of many gender-based violence and human right abuses happening in Nigeria, including rape, maiming of spouse, forceful ejection from home, forced isolation, acid bath, killing, female genital mutilation.

 The VAPP Act Bill was passed into law by the Senate on May 5 2015,  and was adopted by 35 out of 36 states in Nigeria.

The appeal of the stakeholders is, "Let us build on this progress by amending and properly implementing the Act rather than repealing it,”

The policy dialogue had in attendance, Civil Society Organisations, Faith Based Organizations, Traditional Leaders, Policy Makers and stakeholders in the struggle.