Group urges Borno assembly to pass Violence against Persons Bill

The Women-Led Civil Society Organization has urged the Borno State House of Assembly to pass the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act.

The Chairperson of the groups, Mrs Ladi Clark, told a press conference in Maiduguri, the state capital, that they needed proactive measures to protect girls and boys.

Clark, who was represented by Ann Darman Bukar, said that gender equality was very important in the society and passage of the VAP Act would promote the rights of both women and men.

“The bill will support protection of male and female coming out of conflict in Borno State.

“We therefore call on the House of Assembly to continue to push for the passage of this law, we believe the law will support the reduction of violence at home and in communities.

“A major actor in ensuring change in the situation of women is the legislative arm of government. The continued absence of strong laws to protect men, boys, women and girls against violence is responsible for the violence they suffered before and after the insurgency in the state.

“The VAP bill aims to prohibit all forms of violence against persons in private and public life, and provides for maximum protection and effective remedies for victims and punishment of offenders.

“The bill if passed by the House provides protections against offenses that affect women disproportionately, including a prohibition of female genital mutilation; forced isolation; emotional, verbal and psychological abuse; harmful widowhood practices; and spousal battery, among others,” Clark urged.

The group also called on the state governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum, to give assent to the bill once it is passed.

It said aside Borno and Gombe, other states in the North East have passed the bill into law.