PIBCID, NWTF lament poor awareness on VAPP law in Kogi

The Participation Initiative for Behavioural Change in Development, PIBCID and Nigeria Women Trust Fund, NWTF, has lamented over the poor awareness on the Violence Against Person Prohibition law by Citizens of Kogi State.

Speaking at a capacity building training for critical stakeholders and the public on the Kogi State VAPP law, Executive Director of PIBCID Rachael Akande who identified funding as one of the challenges facing the implementation of the VAPP law in Kogi State noted that over 80 percent of the population has little or no knowledge of the law.

Our Kogi State Correspondent, reports that Akande, who disclosed that the capacity training was organized in collaboration with the Kogi State office of the Public Defender and Citizens Rights Commission, (PDCRC) averred that, the organization is recruiting stakeholders to champion the course of Gender Based Violence in the State.

She said "Alot of people are still not aware of the VAPP law. This law has been in existence since 2022. Alot of people in the various homes, offices, communities still face issues around Gender Based Violence and they dont know who to talk or report to. 

"They don't know the relevant institutions or organization that could help to champion the course of getting justice when they are abuse or their rights are violated. This is the essence of this capacity building. Like I said earlier, we have identifed stakeholders that will spread the news around and make people under what the VAPP law says for effective implementation in the State".

She described GBV cases as a serious issues that should not be handled with levity. "We should see it as our responsibility where ever we found ourselves. We should see issues around GBV to be very serious. We should not throw our faces off it thinking that is not my relatives, or it doesn't concern me.

"We are looking for more individuals that will champion the course of Gender Based Violence in Kogi State because it has become a serious issue as a result of it high previlence. We have identifed relevant stakeholders that is needed to be trained so that they can do a step down training. By so doing, we have alot of foot soldiers that will be fighting against GBV in Kogi State. 

" It is everybody responsibility and we should treat it urgently either in our neighborhood, offices, religious centres, communities and many more. When people see that there are alot of foot soldiers fighting GBV, it will be curb in Kogi State and Nigeria in general"she stated.

In his remarks, the Director General, Public Defender and Citizens Rights Commission, (PDCRC) explained that the agency has been embarking on aggressive campaign across the three Senatorial district on the VAPP law in Kogi State

"We are here to sensitize the public about the VAPP law. There are some offences that in our penal code especially rape attract 14 years imprisonment. But now under the VAPP law, it is life imprisonment. For the people of Kogi State to have knowledge of the VAPP law, we have visited the Obaro of Kabba, the Ohinohi of Ebira land, and the Attah of Igala to sensitize them and their Chiefs about the law. 

"We will continue and wont relent until Kogites are abreast of what is entailed in the VAPP law. Our intention is to go round all the 21 Local Government. We have written to them, but unfortunately no response up till now. We have started moving from one ministry to another to sensitize the people of the VAPP law. 

"We recently visited the ministry of information and we met the Commissioner for information Kingsley Fanwo who gave us a warm reception. He directed that every week, they should feature our activities in both the State own radio and newspaper so that people can get all the needed information concerning the VAPP law.

He opined that the agency has achievement much in the implementation of the VAPP law in Kogi State.

Continuing, he said "Many people have been arrested. Survivors who do not have a means to hire a lawyer, they approached us, and we went there. We have gotten judgement in so many court in Kogi State. People are now enjoying the VAPP law. People are coming out to speak on Gender Based Violence. All those that were not recognize before that as an offence, VAPP law has been able to make provision for it and we are there to carry it on".

While appraising the provision of the Kogi State VAPP law, 2022, the Deputy Director, PDCRC/ VAPP Coordinator Emmanuel Ibenu Esq. submitted that, " The coming into operation of this Law is timely and has helped us as a Commission to redirect several parties in marital union or relationship. 

"Through the day to day application of this Law several disintegrated, shattered and scattered families have been reunited. It is pivotal to state that there are bad people everywhere. The existence of a law is the reason for some people behaving as nice people all around.

" Several victims of domestic violence have been offered protection and intervention, we have the record. We have been able to creates awareness onthe privileges and the rights of victims. The Commission has also help in the restoration of hope and peace to families through the activities of VAPP law. Cases of abandonment and forceful isolation are on the decrease through the activities of VAPP. 

It could be recalled that the Violence against persons (prohibition) act (VAPP ACT) came into force on the 28th of May, 2015. 

It was Domesticated in Kogi State as Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law on the 22nd of June 2022. According to report, 

34 States domesticated the VAPP ACT as at Nov. 2022.

The main aim of the law Is to eliminate violence in both private and public life, prohibit all forms of violence against persons to provide maximum protection and effective remedies for victims and punishment of offenders and other related matters.

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