Why VAPP is not discouraging sexual, gender-based violence – Chief Magistrate

A Chief Magistrate in Osun State, Mrs Olufunke Oyeniyi, has lamented the increase in cases of sexual and gender-based violence despite the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act, which imposes stricter punishments on convicted abusers and violators.

Oyeniyi made this known at a three-day workshop on the Implementation of the VAPP Law and the Role of the Judiciary, organised by Value Female Network Africa in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund in Osogbo, the state capital.

Legal practitioners, law enforcement agents, and officials from the Osun State Ministries of Justice, Health, and Women, Children, and Social Welfare attended the training to learn how to effectively deploy the VAPP Law in securing justice for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV).

The Chief Magistrate stressed the need for relevant authorities and stakeholders to study the VAPP Law thoroughly to ensure its effective implementation. She assured that proper enforcement of the law, including the prosecution and conviction of offenders, would deter potential abusers.

She expressed concern over worsening violence and abuse of women and girls in Osun, attributing the persistence of the problem to the culture of silence among survivors.

Oyeniyi urged stakeholders, particularly lawyers, to undergo training and retraining on the VAPP Law, saying that it is a critical tool for addressing SGBV cases in the state.

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She also noted that many women remain in abusive marriages due to a lack of economic empowerment.

Speaking on gender-based violence in Osun, the Head of the Department of Public Health at Fountain University, Osogbo, Mrs Kafayat Adegbore, disclosed that children and women are the most violated and abused members of society. She called on security agencies to respond promptly to reported cases.

Mrs. Aduke Obelawo, a prominent advocate against Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), stressed the need to prosecute offenders of FGM to deter others.

After the training, participants, including lawyers from the Nigerian Bar Association in Osun, pledged to adopt a survivor-centred approach in adjudicating SGBV cases.

In his remarks, Samuel Abimbade, Nigeria’s Focal Person for the Inter-African Committees on Harmful Practices Affecting Women and Children, stressed that awareness and understanding of the VAPP Law would significantly improve the delivery of justice to survivors and deter potential violators.

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Abimbade, who is also the Head of Programmes for Value Female Network Africa, noted the low number of SGBV cases tried under the VAPP Law. He underscored the importance of training lawyers, security operatives, and other stakeholders on the law’s application.

He stated that the organization distributed copies of the VAPP Law to participants for free, adding: “The workshop aimed to enhance the enforcement of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law (VAPP Law). The VAPP Law has been implemented in Osun State since 2021, but not enough cases have been prosecuted under it.

“We believe the training has helped legal practitioners and law enforcement agencies understand the need for and process of prosecuting SGBV cases, ensuring a smooth and effective process from initiation to conclusion.”

Abimbade further stated: “The law must move beyond being a policy or legal document to becoming a practical tool. That’s why we distributed free copies of the VAPP Law to lawyers and law enforcement officers, many of whom didn’t have access to it.
“We want to enhance their capacity to protect women, girls, and all humans in general. Lawyers should actively prosecute SGBV cases, ensuring that the process is seamless and justice is served.”