EU, UN advocate for the implementation of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition Act), (2015) by states in Nigeria.

UN Women Nigeria has advocated for the application of global norms for gender equality and women’s empowerment, to address the persistent gender inequalities women and girls face due to negative cultural and social norms that keep women in poverty. 

This was at the pinnacle of discussions at the Deliberation on the Violence against Persons (Prohibition)  ACT, 2015 “from domestication to implementation”, this deliberation was conducted as part of interventions under the joint EU-UN Spotlight Initiative and in line with UN Women’s leadership and convening role in Ending Violence Against Women (EVAW), this activity was also an integral part of activities to commemorate the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence campaign, and the mobilization of male community members, traditional and religious leaders to support gender equality, in Nigeria. 

In a welcome address from the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Mr Edward Kallon called on states across Nigeria to synergize efforts on the implementation of the Violence against Persons (Prohibition) Act, (2015).  

“Women and girls continue to be exposed to various forms of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and barriers in access to justice. We must use this opportunity to review the success of the implementation of the VAPP through strategic partnership, sensitization, and promotion of women leadership in decision making. We must also continue to build on the foundation of the transformation and realization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Nigeria and the 2030 target. Now more than ever we must ensure to always say no to violence against women and girls. Let’s stand together to ensure dignity and justice for women. He said. 

In remarks from the Country Representative of UN Women Nigeria Comfort Lamptey, she explained that there is a need for more efforts to address gender-related violence especially in the North-East part of Nigeria and other parts of the country which has been facing insecurity challenges. 

“As pertains to humanitarian action, UN Women supported efforts to respond to the humanitarian crisis in the North-East through targeted programming around livelihood support and early recovery for women and girls; a broader transition from humanitarian relief to longer-term recovery and development; GBV prevention and protection for conflict-affected women and girls; and the improvement of conflict-affected women’s access to justice. UN Women through Women, Peace and Security programmes worked to enhance women’s capacities to influence conflict prevention, conflict resolution and peacebuilding, as well as implemented interventions for increasing women’s effective participation in peace and security processes; moving towards gender-sensitive security sector institutions for gender-responsive operations; and improving public perceptions regarding the role of women in peace and security. 

In an interview with the First lady, Kebbi State Dr Zainab Shinkafi Bagudu, she noted that all the 36 states of Nigeria and the FCT, have been very active in addressing the issue of sexual and gender-based violence. 

In terms of awareness, in terms of creating more facilities, in terms of capacity building, passing the appropriate laws, we have seen an unprecedented increase in the activities that will help reduce the scourge of sexual and gender-based violence. So Kebbi, Edo, is not behind.  It’s just that we will contextualize all the various parts of the VAPP Act in Nigeria, what is right in Lagos may not necessarily be the same in Kebbi. Having said this sexual violence, gender-based violence is violence and should not in any way be conjured by any religion, culture or tradition. 

From 2019 till date, more states have domesticated the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act (5 in 2019 to 26 in November 2021). As part of a critical mass of gatekeepers, the Nigerian Governors’ Wives Forum and the Council of Traditional Leaders across Africa (COTLA) has proven to be a strategic partner in pushing for reforms on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG). Now, it is time for states in Nigeria to move beyond domestication to full implementation to ensure we eliminate violence in private and public life, prohibit all forms of violence against persons and provide maximum protection and effective remedies for victims and punishments of offenders.