Bauchi Govt. sensitises communities on VAPP law

VAPP

By Amina Ahmed

Bauchi, Dec. 10, 2022 (NAN) The Bauchi State Gonvernment on Saturday says it has sensitised community leaders and critical stakeholders on Violence Against Persons Prohibition ( VAPP) Law.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Gov. Bala Mohammed on Dec.9, assented to the VAPP Act passed by the State House of Assembly.

The exercise is being organised by the state Ministry of Women Affairs and Child Development in collaboration with the UN Women.

It is designed to expose community leaders, media practitioners and Civil Society Organisations (CSO) to VAPP Act, to promote gender equality and social inclusion in the state.

Mrs Easther Patrick, Gender Desk Officer in the ministry, said the exercise would also create awareness on the State Action Plan (SAP) on peace and security as well as mobilise stakeholders towards mainstreaming components of the United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) at the grassroots.

“The activity is to create awareness on gender equality law to end violence against women and girls using issue based interactions.

“The participants are expected to contribute towards creating enabling environment for implemetation of peace and security,” she said.

In a presentation, Amina Garuba, Executive Director, Ikra Foundation for Youth and Women Development, said the VAPP Act would ensure protection and secure environment for girls and women in the society.

Garuba said the VAPP Act comprises four sections including offence, protection, services providers and interpretation.

She said the Act proscribed death penalty for rape against minors, adding that other punishment included 14-year jail term and life imprisonment for offenders.

“For concealing act of rape, the law provides four-year jail term or a fine of N500,000. It also spelt out compensation for victims of SGBV in the state,” she said.

She called for more awareness creation activities to educate the people on the VAPP Act.

Also, Mrs Asma’u Yahaya, Executive Director, Women with Disability, Intergrity Development Initiave (WDIDI), called for production of audio and braille copies to educate people with special needs on the new law. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng) 

AE/RSA

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Edited by Rabiu Sani-Ali