A Non-governmental organisation, Life Spring Development Foundation (LSDF), has advocated continued investment in funding, institutional strengthening, public education, and survivor support services to realise Enugu State’s Violence Against Persons (VAAP) law.

The law was signed in 2019 by former Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi to eliminate violence and protect women, men, girls, boys, the elderly and persons with disabilities, as well as provide victims and survivors of violence with effective remedies and access to justice, among others.

At a three-day Policy Review and Validation Workshop on the VAPP law and STOP Policy Domestication for Enugu State, organised by the LSDF in collaboration with Enugu State Ministry of Health, the Foundation observed that despite the robust framework of the law, its implementation has faced several challenges as a result of delays in operations and limited funding for survivor services.

At the review were representatives of civil society, religious organisations, security, the ministries of children, gender and social development, health, and the judiciary, among others.

According to LSDF, inadequate public awareness, particularly in rural communities, insufficient shelters and specialised victim support services, capacity gaps among frontline responders, cultural norms, stigma, weak data management and monitoring systems were identified as hindrances to implementation.

LSDF’s Consultant, Eric Shu, stated that the review had become necessary to ensure the law works effectively in checking rising cases of inhuman activities in the state.

“We will do what we can to make the law work to reduce certain practices that the law is meant to correct in the state,” he stated.

MEANWHILE, in a major move to eradicate Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV), the African Women Lawyers Association (AWLAN), Enugu State Chapter, has demanded maximum enforcement of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law in Enugu State.

The AWLAN made the demand yesterday when the executive members of the association, led by the State Coordinator, Chidi Grace Obeke, paid a courtesy call to the Commissioner of Police, Enugu State Command, Mamman Bitrus Giwa, at the Command Headquarters in Enugu.

Accompanying the State Coordinator to the Enugu State Command was the Secretary of the AWLAN, Sylvia Abana, alongside other key executive members.

In her speech during the visit, Obeke commended the Police Commissioner’s giant strides in maintaining peace, security, and public safety across the state.