Presents statewide gap analysis
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, (NAPTIP) has called for unified action to address issues of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) in Nigeria.
Director-General of the agency, Prof. Fatima Waziri-Azi, who spoke at the 2023 state level coordinating meeting tagged “Strengthening Government Approach and Commitment to Preventing and Responding to SGBV in Nigeria, yesterday, in Abuja, said that so far, 34 states have had their various versions of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act (VAPPA) adopted as law.
She said that while NAPTIP is responsible for implementing the Act in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), state governments are expected to adopt the Act and implement it as well so that its impact cascades to all strata of the society.
Waziri-Azi said: “In terms of implementing the VAPPA, NAPTIP is responsible for it because it has the enforcement and prosecutorial power and also have protective mandate towards target beneficiaries, that is survivors of sexual and gender-based violence.”
“One of the things we have done is to conduct a gap analysis on all the VAPP laws across the country.”
State subcommittee Chairperson for Gender-Based Survivors’ Welfare and Support as well as Executive Director, Heroin Women Foundation, OyinyeMamah, who spoke on the importance of the meeting and harmonising the next steps in implementing the VAPP law, said it is hoped that at the end of the meeting, coordinators would be able to present very feasible next steps to their state governments for immediate actions.
She said: “We are working towards harmonising the next steps for implementing the VAPP law and ensuring that gender-based violence is curbed.”
In her presentation on the lessons, challenges and opportunities of the Act, Technical Lead of European Union funded Rule Law and Anti-Corruption Centre, Dr. ToyosiGiwa, said the Act had expanded the definition of rape and provides for victims’ protection and compensation and also ensures victims’ dignity and protection of identity, among others.
“The VAPP Act complements what we also have in the administration of Criminal Justice Act and the VAPPA expanded the concept and definition of rape,” she said
The meeting brought together 22 state level coordinators of SGBV to address challenges and progress on implementation of the VAPPA.
