…holds road show, demands VAPP Court
Imo state, on Tuesday, November 26, 2024, joined the global community to commemorate the 2024 ‘16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence’, with a road show from Freedom Square through Government House Roundabout to the State Police Command, Owerri.
Participants, mostly from the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, National Human Rights Commission, Centre for the Right to Health and other Civil Society Organizations, displayed placards with several inscriptions such as ‘We say no to obnoxious widowhood practice’, ‘Unite to prevent violence against women and girls’, ‘Respect, not violence defines us’, Break the silence, speak up, stop the violence against women and girls’, ‘Equality for all, no room for abuse’, and many others, as they marched with music and dance, donning their orange and white T-shirts.
Speaking, Barr. Mrs Chioma Uzodimma, wife of the Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma advocated a special court, Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) court for quicker dispensation of justice and protection of women and girls against all forms of violence.
The Imo First Lady who was represented by the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Nkechi Ugwu hinted that men are also abused, but 95 percent of abused people are women, who are raped and killed almost on daily basis.
She appealed that gender based violence cases be filed under the VAPP law instead of the usual common law, that gives room to negotiation and delay in dispensation of justice.
Senior Legal Officer, National Human Rights Commission, Imo State, Barr Okoroji Ihunanya said women in the state were ready to take action against all forms of violence, in line with the theme; “UNITE TO END VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND GIRLS”.
She said all hands should be on deck to ensure the establishment of a VAPP agency and it’s Governing Board, as it will lead to the full implementation of the provisions of the VAPP law, hold perpetrators accountable and protect women and girls from violence.
Representative of the Executive Director, Centre for the Right to Health, Mrs. Collete Bennett, who spoke on behalf of other Civil Society Organizations appealed for equal treatment for the physically challenged persons, particularly access to public places, while calling on the Police to use VAPP Law in the prosecution of cases for speedy dispensation of justice.
Representative of the Imo State Commander of National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP, Mr. Emereole Eze identified synergy among law enforcement agencies as solution to the implementation of the VAPP law.
A Frontline Responder, Mrs. Majorie Ezihe called for more integration of civil society organizations in the activities of the Command and appealed that the police joins the call for a specialized court to try gender based violence cases.
A former member of the Imo State House of Assembly who represented Njaba Constituency, Hon. Uju Onwudiwe encouraged women to always speak up, while reiterating that the VAPP bill is for all genders as anyone can be violated.
She advised women to monitor their wards closely as perpetrators of violence are always within.
Responding, the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Aboki Danjuma said the Command arrests and prosecutes offenders without compromise and pledged the Command’s readiness to assist them with regards to abuse and violence against women and girls.
