Lawrence Nwimo, Awka
Human rights activists and partners from the civil society organisations have intensified calls for the establishment of Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) law commission to oversee the protection of rights of women and other vulnerable groups in the state.
They made the call on Tuesday during a mega rally organised by the National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, in collaboration with the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption, RoLAC, and other partners to commemorate the International Day for Human Rights.
Flagging off the rally, Coordinator of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Anambra, Barrister Obinna Maduforo, expressed concerns over the rising cases of sexual gender-based violence in the state.
According to him, “Today is significant because we are commemorating the fight against human rights violations. As a Commission, our mandate has remained to promote, protect and enforce human rights.
“In Anambra, we have observed an upsurge specifically in sexual gender based violence. Right now, we have a case of a 10 year old girl whose father had started abusing right from the time she was four. Time will not allow me to start reeling out some of the horrific things that are happening in Anambra and a lot of people do not know that they can cry out for help.
“Today, powered by the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption, RoLAC, and other agencies, we have come out to let people know that they have a right to speak out. We also use this opportunity to sound out a note of warning to perpetrators and violators that they shouldn’t be caught napping because they would rot in jail.”
RoLAC programme coordinator in Anambra, Josephine Onah, remarked that the need for the VAPP commission had been echoed even during a recent state-wide conference to fight the scourge of sexual gender-based violence in the state.
She said: “Gender-based violence is a human rights issue and rights violation which is why we have created the link to talk about it and see what we can do to eradicate it.
“Last week, we had a statewide conference and people including traditional rulers, state and nonstate actors featured. They came in their numbers and found the need for all to unite against the scourge of GBV.
“One of the key resolutions of the conference is the need to establish a Violence Against Persons Prohibition law commission in the state like in the other climes. That is what we envision for a state like Anambra. The commission would be dedicated to churning out activities, decisions and driving things that matter to rights violations particularly against women.”
“We are happy today that we came out in that same spirit to go around Awka city on a rally to say no to GBV. We are happy that so many people are beginning to understand our message and to seek our support.”
On the theme of the celebration, “Reducing Inequality and Advancing Human Rights,” Onah stressed the need to eradicate power imbalance particularly as it affects women, and the vulnerable groups in the state.
She also commended service providers that have been supporting the fight against sexual gender-based violence and encouraged them to do more to eradicate it.
Lending her voice, coordinator of Violence Against Persons Prohibition law Committee in the State, Mrs Loveth Onyendilefu, said despite the passage of the VAPP law in the state, the law has not been effectively implemented due to the absence of a dedicated commission to oversee its implementation.
She said the VAPP commission would ensure that perpetrators of GBV are brought to justice, and that victims receive adequate support and protection from the government.
