From Everest Ezihe, Owerri
Worried by the increasing rate of violence against women, especially people living with disabilities, the Executive Director, Center for the Right to Health, Dr. Stella Iwuagwu, has advised Imo State Government (IMSG) on the immediate need to establish Violence Against Persons (Prohibition), VAPP agency with governing board so as to address issues bordering on violence against humanity in the State.
Iwuagwu who was represented by Mrs. Collete Bennett, gave the advise while speaking on behalf of the Civil Society Organizations and Imo State Committee for Ending Violence Against Women and Girl Child during their courtesy visit to Imo State Commissioner of Police as part of the activities marking the global 16 days of Activism.
She lamented that the VAPP laws, which have been enacted for over 3 years ago in the State is yet to be implemented due to non establishment of VAPP agency with secretariat and governing board, so as to enhance implementations and prosecution of the related cases, insisting that non existence of the agency in the State and implementation of the laws have become a bane in strangulating most of their cases while prosecuting suspects.
The Executive Director canvassed on the need for police to file their cases under the VAPP laws so that the issue of striking out most of the relevant cases due to the perceived inability of the victims and prosecutors to prove their cases in accordance with the VAPP laws will be a thing of the past.
She also pointed out that sexual abuse and harassment had become so rampant in Imo State, and women living with disabilities are not exempted even as they are equally publicly assaulted and discriminated against.
Hon.Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs. Nkechi Ugwu who represented Barr. Chioma Uzodimma, the wife of Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma applauded Alhaji Aboki Danjuma, the State Commissioner of Police for their efforts towards ending violence against women and girl child in the State.
Ugwu lamented the high level of insecurities women and girls in the State are being subjected to by antisocial men and called for their protections and prosecution of perpetrators with the VAPP law.
She also lamented over the high level of insecurities women and girls in the State are subjected to by antisocial men and called for their protections and the prosecution of perpetrators with the VAPP law.
Adding her voice, Hon. Uju Onwudiwe, immediate past member of Imo State House of Assembly that represented Njaba State Constituency enjoined the participants on the need to say something and do something whenever there’s a bad thing in the society as a strategic means of curbing inimical acts while thanking them for believing in the VAPP Law and saying no to rape and all forms forms of violence.
Onwudiwe who further observed that VAPP law is not only for women and girls but for both gender, also noted that men are equally abused and violated, even as she insisted that the law is for everybody and stands in defense of humanity.
Senior Legal Officer, National Human Rights Commission, Imo State, Barr Ihunanya Okoroji called for collaborative effort to ensure that the VAPP law is implemented and enforced.
Okoroji also faulted the non establishment of VAPP agency and its governing board so as to ensure the enforcement of the State VAPP laws.
She further canvassed the need for the earliest establishment of VAPP Agency with a secretariat to avert further frustration of their cases against perpetrators, so as to equally eradicate violence against women and girl child.
Responding, Alhaji Aboki Danjuma, the State Commissioner of Police reiterated that one of the fundamental duties of Police is to arrest and prosecute suspects, reporting that the State Command under his watch has never compromised on violence against women, girl child and people living with disabilities, especially as it concerns rape, child trafficking and abuse, sexual harassment and domestic violence among other anti social vices.
Danjuma advised them on the need to report any officer or formation of the Command that compromised or mishandled any matter associated with women and girl chi6.
Recall that the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) (also known as VAPP Act) is a law enacted by the National Assembly and domesticated in Imo State by the state assembly with the aim to “eliminate violence in private and public life, prohibit all forms of violence against persons and to provide maximum protection and effective remedies for victims and punishment of offenders; and for related matters.
The VAPP Act was enacted as a result of many gender-based violence and human right abuse happening in Nigeria, including rape, maiming of spouse, forceful ejection from home, forced isolation, acid bath, and killing.
