Group tasks states on domestication of VAPP Act

A women group, the Nigerian Feminist Forum (NFF) has urged all states Houses of Assembly in the country to sign the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act 2015 into law without further delay.

In a statement issued by its Communication Officer, Angela Nkwo, in commemoration of the 2021 International Women’s Day (IWD), yesterday, it expressed concern over the worsening insecurity and gender-based violence, among other social vices in the country.

It also tasked governments at all levels to take concrete steps to ensure peace, security and the safety of life and property across the country, adding: “Violations against women and girls have reached unprecedented proportions.

“Six years after the VAPP Act came into force, only 20 states have domesticated VAPP, whilst 14 states are yet to domesticate it, citing religion, traditions and bias for the continued discrimination and violence against women and girls.”

The group charged state Assemblies yet to domesticate the VAPP Act to do so and save the nation from widowhood practices, female genital mutilation, sexual and gender-based violence and all forms of abuses.

“Even as we demand conscious efforts to address violence, no matter who is involved, we use the opportunity of IWD to call on the Federal Government and partners to adopt public policies that promote, protect, advance and enhance the rights of women and girls, to engender a more developed society, while ending violence against women and girls in Nigeria.”

It lamented that on daily basis, stories are told of women, their families and communities who become victims of organised banditry, kidnappings, sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), invasion of educational establishments, as well as intra and inter communal violence by kidnappers and armed herders.

“While the world celebrates the 2021 IWD, the NFF is concerned about the worsening state of internal security affecting several communities, women and girls in the country.

“We demand that all security agencies should ensure the safety from unscrupulous persons masquerading as bandits and armed herdsmen, from incessant kidnappings, especially of girls from schools,” the group added.