Taiwo Afolayan
Following a three-day capacity-building workshop held in Adamawa state in February 2021 by Stand To End Rape Initiative (STER) in collaboration with the EU-UN Spotlight Initiative to discuss the enactment of the VAPP (Violence Against Persons Prohibition) law in the state, the bill has now been signed into law by Adamawa state Governor, His Excellency Ahmadu Umaru Finitiri.
With the approval of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act at the federal level in 2015 by Nigeria’s then-president, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, the Adamawa State House of Assembly likewise adopted the bill for state enforcement. The VAPP Act eliminates violence in private and public life and all forms of violence against persons in the state.
During the capacity-building session, the Stand To End Rape Initiative engaged crucial stakeholders, including Honourable Kate Raymond Mamuno, who championed the measure in the House and stressed the need of passing the VAPP Bill. The Bill was passed in March 2021. In the same month, STER hosted a capacity-building workshop for state and non-state actors, community leaders, religious leaders, disability rights groups, women and youth-led groups, the Nigerian Police Force, Ministries of Justice and Health, media advocates, and other Civil Society Organizations on the implementation of the VAPP Law and strategies to employ to raise awareness among the grassroots.
STER also adopted a homegrown, sustainable approach to sensitise community members on the provisions of the Law, their rights and the urgency of implementing the VAPP Law in Adamawa state.
Oluwaseun Ayodeji Osowobi, Executive Director of STER, said that she is “indeed pleased with the action taken by the Adamawa State governor, His Excellency, Ahmadu Umaru Finitiri. The assent of the bill into law recognises sexual and gender-based violence as a criminal offence and gives hope and healing to survivors of sexual and gender-based violence. We implore all relevant stakeholders to enforce the law in ensuring the safety and wellbeing of people living in Adamawa State, most especially women and girls.”
Stand To End Rape Initiative is committed to bringing change and enforceable policies on sexual and gender-based violence, continually push for sensitising society on the importance of eliminating all forms of sexual abuse through our vast resources, prevention mechanisms and capacity building programs.
For further enquiries, please get in touch with STER at contactus@standtoendrape.org or +2348095967000.
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