A non-governmental organisation, Alliances for Africa, AfA has inaugurated an 30-man committee tasked with the responsibility of tackling and ending violence against women and girls prevalence in Imo State.
The team, according to the group, is expected to ensure full enforcement and implementation of the existing Violence Against Persons Prohibition, VAPP law of 2021 in the state.
The members of the Committee were drawn from government ministers and agencies, Civil Society Organizations, CSOs, the media, Community-based Organizations, traditional and religious leaders among other key stakeholders in the state.
Speaking at the inauguration, held in Owerri on Wednesday, the AfA Executive Director, Ms. Iheoma Obibi said the formation of the team was part of the group’s determined effort towards addressing the menace in the state.
Obibi disclosed that the Committee was, “initially constituted on the 20th of March, 2020 with the sole aim of addressing gender-based violence through the enactment and passage of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Bill, VAPP, which eventually was signed into law on December 15th, 2021.”
She expressed worry that 23 months after the passage of the VAPP law in the state, the full enforcement and implementation of it has remained a concern and seemingly not realizable.
She said, “we have gathered to take a step further towards the realization of our common goal, which is ending violence against women and girls by pushing for the implementation of the VAPP law through the establishment of a committee that will operate as a monitoring, accountability and enforcement mechanism.
“The mandate is a technical one, I must say, because it entails a lot of strategic action, hence intentional and purpose-driven commitment.”
Also, AfA Programme Officer, Blessing Duru added that the Committee will also identify strategies for the implementation of the agreed core task.
The committee members including Barr. Ndidi Anike, immediate past FIDA Chairperson, Imo State, Mr. Ernest Ogbu, Commander, NAPTIP, Imo State and others plegded to work towards achieving the goals of ending the menace in the state.
They also canvassed for the establishment of an agency by the state government as empowered by the law for the achievement of the goals and objectives of the VAPP law.
