A Picture depicting Nigerian Women

The Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act (VAPP Act) signed into law in 2015 by former President Goodluck Jonathan stands as a landmark legal framework aimed at prohibiting all forms of violence against individuals in both private and public spheres. This Act has been instrumental in providing protection to victims and ensuring that perpetrators are held accountable. However, this critical piece of legislation is now under threat as a bill to repeal the VAPP Act was quietly introduced in the Nigerian Senate by Senator Jibrin Isah of the All Progressives Congress (APC). This development has sparked alarm and resistance among various stakeholders, particularly advocates of women’s rights.

Senator Isah argued that repealing the VAPP Act is necessary to facilitate amendments that would address its perceived shortcomings. He contends that the Act in its current form, is not sufficiently comprehensive and requires substantial revisions to better serve its purpose. In response to this controversial bill, the Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC), in collaboration with civil society organizations, non-governmental organizations and the media convened a hybrid webinar on Thursday, 29 August 2024 tagged “VAPP Act Repeal Bill: Impact on Women’s Rights,” to counter the repeal effort by highlighting the importance of amending rather than discarding this essential law.

Nigerian Women in a Dialogue with Women Radio

Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, Founding Director of WARDC, stressed the need for a unified approach to amending the VAPP Act without repealing it. She pointed out that the VAPP Act is already operational in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and has been domesticated in all 36 states. Repealing the Act, she argued would undo the significant progress made in protecting women and other vulnerable groups from violence. Akiyode-Afolabi clarified that the repeal bill specifically targets the FCT and does not directly affect the domesticated versions of the VAPP Act in other states. However, she warned that any repeal could set a dangerous precedent and weaken the overall legal framework protecting women’s rights in Nigeria.

Dr. Kemi Da-Silva, Executive Director of the Women at Risk International Foundation (WARIF), reinforced the importance of preserving the VAPP Act. She highlighted that the Act has been a vital tool in protecting individuals, especially women, from violence since 2015. While acknowledging the need for improvements, Dr. Da-Silva cautioned that a complete repeal would severely undermine the Act’s effectiveness. She called on all stakeholders to defend the VAPP Act and to work towards amending it to address any gaps, rather than discarding it altogether.

Hassana Maina, Lead at the Anti-Sexual Violence Lead Support Initiative (ASVIOL), expressed concern over the lack of transparency surrounding the repeal bill. She emphasized the importance of open dialogue and strategic planning to protect the rights and safety of women noting that while amendments might be necessary, changes should be made with caution to ensure that the protections currently provided by the VAPP Act are not compromised.

Dorothy Njemanze, Executive Director of the Dorothy Njemanze Foundation, raised alarm over the increasing incidents of violence against women. She warned that repealing the VAPP Act could jeopardize ongoing court cases and weaken protections in public spaces. Njemanze argued that there is no justification for repealing a law that has been pivotal in safeguarding the rights of women across Nigeria.

The webinar strongly underscored the critical need to preserve and strengthen the VAPP Act rather than repeal it. Women advocates emphasized that the Act should be amended to enhance its effectiveness in protecting women from violence. They also highlighted the collective responsibility of all Nigerians to defend the rights and protections enshrined in the VAPP Act.

Owolabi Oreoluwa Kikelomo
Women Radio 91.7
news@wfm917.com