Don’t repeal VAPP Act, religious leaders, others urge N/Assembly

Religious leaders and other stakeholders have urged the members of the National Assembly to drop the move to repeal the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act, saying, it would be dangerous if the parliament embarks on such legislative exercise in Nigeria. The leaders, under the Side-by-Side Movement for Gender Justice -Nigeria made the call on […]

Religious leaders and other stakeholders have urged the members of the National Assembly to drop the move to repeal the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act, saying, it would be dangerous if the parliament embarks on such legislative exercise in Nigeria.

The leaders, under the Side-by-Side Movement for Gender Justice -Nigeria made the call on Wednesday in Abuja at a Policy Dialogue on the Repeal of the VAPP Act, in collaboration with African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development (Centre LSD), Christian Aid and Ford Foundation.

They noted that despite the bill progressing through its second reading, many Nigerians remain unaware of its significance, especially on the wellbeing of Nigerian female folks.

Speaking at the event, Executive Director of the Centre LSD, Mr Monday Osasah called for grassroot and community consultation so that development would take place and awareness would be created on the proposed annulment to the Act.

“The move to rescind this Act is offering maximum protection to victims, facilitating effective mediation, and ensuring strict penalties to offenders, urging, despite the bill progressing through its second reading in the parliament, many Nigerians remain unaware of its significance.

“So if it is repealed, it jeopardises the work of people advocating for gender justice; that is why we are using the opportunity of this policy dialogue to really appeal to members of the National Assembly to have a rethink,” Osasah said.

The Country Director of Christian Aid, Mr Temitope Fashola, said that they believe that faith institutions, civil society organizations, and policymakers must work together to strengthen, rather than weaken, the legal framework protecting survivors.

He said that the policy roundtable presents an opportunity to analyze the proposed changes, highlight potential risks, and propose actionable recommendations to ensure that any amendments to the VAPP Act must reflect the best interests of those it seeks to protect.

The Deputy Clerk House of Representatives Committee on Women Affairs, Mr Benedict Chukwuma said the legislation was passed into law in 2015, and was not properly implemented, thus section 2 should be amended where fine could be increased from N200,000 to N20m.

He said that there is a need for the Child Rights Act to be amended as many states of Nigeria have not domesticated the legislation, let alone implement it, thus a major challenge generally.

The Co-Chairman, of Side-By-Side Movement (Islamic Side), Murtala Abdusalam, represented by Imam Aliyu Abdulhamid, reiterated the support of traditional and religious leaders to the fight against GBV in Nigeria.

The second Co-Chairman of Side-By-Side Movement (Christian Side), Bishop Favour Emmanuel, said the group was committed to promoting a society where everyone would live without fear of violence or discrimination.