Global Peace Development Sensitizes 200 Kaduna Residents On VAPP Law
By: Austine Emmanuel, Kaduna
http://www.newsportng.com.ng NGO, Global Peace Development, (GPD) with support from International Alert, (IA) has sensitized atleast two hundred Kaduna residents on requisite knowledge about the Violence Against Persons and Prohibition (VAPP) Law, domesticated in Kaduna state in 2018.
The program, is inline with the project,
“Promoting Stability, Access to Justice, Accountability and Prevention of SGBV” to tackle the prevalence of gender-based violence, harmful cultural practices, and the lack of accountability for perpetrators.
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.
Speaking at the One Day Sensitization Program, on the topic, “Sensitization and Awareness Raising on VAPP Law at LGA Level” the Executive Director, Global Peace Development, (GPD) Mr. Ebruke Esike said that the program is crucial to acknowledge on the complex and multidimensional root causes of conflict and violence in Nigeria, particularly the
devastating impact it has on women, girls, men, boys and vulnerable populations.
Esike stressed that despite the existence of the VAPP Law in Kaduna State and other parts of the country, many individuals remain unaware of their rights and the protections afforded to them under the law, adding that the event seeks to bridge that gap by increasing knowledge and capacity on the VAPP Law to ensure social justice for all.
“The prevalence of gender-based violence, harmful cultural practices, and the lack of accountability for perpetrators have continued to dehumanize individuals and
hinder access to justice.
“Despite the existence of the VAPP Law in Kaduna State and other parts of the
country, many individuals remain unaware of their rights and the protections afforded to them under this law. This event seeks to bridge that gap by increasing knowledge and capacity on the VAPP Law to ensure social justice for all.
“The commitment of critical stakeholders, including women, men, girls, boys, political leaders, religious leaders, justice and security agents, is vital in addressing inequality, human rights violations, SGBV, insecurity, and poverty. By working collaboratively and advocating for awareness education, we can stimulate support and ensure justice is served transparently.
“I am confident that the objectives of this event, which include increasing
knowledge on the VAPP Law and improving access to justice for vulnerable populations, will be achieved through our collective efforts. The outcomes and deliverables we aim for, such as enhanced capacity, increased access to justice, and improved response by formal justice and security systems, will contribute to a more just and equitable society.” He said.
Meanwhile, the resource person at the event and Vice Chairperson, International Federation For Women Lawyers, FiDA Kaduna Branch, Julie Ariahu assessed that the excitement of the participants to learning the subject of discourse was overwhelming.
Julie avered that the participants were taken through stocking, anything that causes fear, an act she said is rampant on social media where people stock others without their consent only to start using it against them at the end of the day
Ariahu , said “a lot of them of them will snap you and begin to threaten you to show it to the world except you pay certain amount. Because the individual involved is not aware of the VAPP Law they continue to pay the money. Under the VAPP LAW it’s an offence that should not be condoned and the awareness have been created. They should go to their grassroots to disseminate the information to keep them posted and the good message is properly checkmated.”
One of the participants, Joseph Sauri Garba, the Village Head Tudunwada Kudansa Maraban-rido, Kogunan Chikun Gbagyi Chiefdom, said “I am very happy to be opportune to be in this meeting. I have learned a lot in this workshop especially at the grassroots where we lead as traditional leaders where we are made to understand that we have a lot to do most especially concerning indecent dressing, domestic violence we the leaders need to stand up and sanitize the people and cushion the people on what shouldn’t be done in the society.
Alheri Waje, another participant from Civil Society Organization, said the new lessons learned is that it’s now open as an avenue where people now began to know their rights and begin to know how to defend themselves at home, in the community where they live and then in the society at large.
Waje disclosed that before now, the VAPP Law was not in existence and people were not informed not to talk of knowing how to defend themselves but now they can walk into any Law enforcement agency, Community leaders and report any violence melted against them for proper action
