Enacting the VAPP Bill in Imo State

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Influencing Laws To Stand for Humanity

Byline: Written by activists from Whisper To Humanity – a youth-led feminist organization 

Intro: Ensuring the right Laws in a Patriarchal society, is beyond words a fight for freedom


In 2015, the Nigerian national assembly passed the Violence Against Person's Prohibition Bill to protect the lives of her citizens from violence in both public and private places. 

The Violence Against Person's Prohibition Bill that is popular in Nigeria as the VAPP Bill, have since then struggled to be recognized, accepted and enacted in individual states across the nation. 

It has become a huge task for Civil Society Organizations, Activists, and concerned citizens to draw the attention of lawmakers in various states to the VAPP Bill. This task failed in many situations and states as traditions, religions, and cultural values seemed to outshine the need to champion the law. 

Many have failed to understand the need for the bill to be passed into law, while others have reformed the document to suit the desires of their state. 

Imo state, an Eastern state in Nigeria,  had seen the introduction of this bill in 2011, like many others, the act was buried with controversies from religion and tradition. 

The Violence Against Person's Prohibition (VAPP) Bill was reintroduced in the Imo state house of Assembly by Honorable Uju Onwudiwe in 2020. 

This raised uproars as Patriarchal, homophobic and pro life voices across the state began to link the Bill to national controversial topics like the gay rights, pro abortion rights, and the Inequality of sexes. 

These topics come with high sentiments across Nigeria and in a highly religious and traditional state as Imo state, they were enough to bury the Bill.

Amongst numerous efforts and activities to enlighten and emphasize the fundamentals of basic human rights, Whisper To Humanity engaged, Imo State House of Assembly representatives and Civil Society Organizations in the state to restrategize for the smooth reading and Enacting of the VAPP Bill in Imo State

This meeting was held virtually on the 1st of December 2020 after a deep review of the bill, to make it stronger, acceptable and  strategic.

Whisper hosted this strategic meeting for 2hours with the host of the Bill, United Nations Girls Initiative, Alliance Of Africa, Teenage Network, ISCEVAWG (Child Protector Organization), ActionAid and Members of Whisper To Humanity. 

The Bill was scrutinized, according to needs and concerns raised by individuals and Organizations present while listening to the demands and needs of the state to have more capacity building and knowledge sharing as regards violence and abuse. 

To further add voice to the Bill, representatives from Whisper to Humanity traveled miles on the 7th of December 2020 to join the Public hearing of the Bill in the state. 

This hearing brought hundreds of humans from all walks of life to make demands and protect their views in the Bill. 

Through this hearing, Whisper To Humanity emphasized the need to prioritize prohibition against violence in school spaces and marriages, while applauding the content of the bill and all efforts to enact it.

Below is the link to a video of Whisper To Humanity’s contribution at the Public hearing of the Bill in Imo State, Nigeria. 

https://youtu.be/X_F3Db1Irk4

With these huge steps taken, Whisper to Humanity is raising awareness on the need to pass the VAPP Bill into law. 

We are also reaching further to other platforms and Non-profit Organizations in Nigeria and across the world, to support in raising the awareness of lawmakers as well as building the capacity of Civil Societies and individuals in the state. 

This appears a huge achievement as there are high hopes to pass the bill to law, and we will not stop until laws in Nigeria ensure that women are protected in both public and private spaces.


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