A coalition of women-focused civil society organisations recently hosted a webinar on proposed repeal of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Bill 2024, demanding amendments to the existing law instead, ENE OSHABA reports.
The Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act 2024, first passed in 2015, has been a critical tool in addressing gender-based violence in Nigeria.
It covers a wide range of offenses including domestic violence, sexual abuse, and harmful traditional practices. Its proposed repeal has raised alarm among women’s rights groups who fear that discarding the Act could reverse the progress made in protecting vulnerable populations, particularly women and girls.
A coalition of women-focused civil society organisations including the Women Advocate Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC), The Center for Human Rights, Womanifesto, Women At Risk Foundation (WARIF), Anti-Sexual Violence Lead (ASVIOL) Support Initiative, Dorothy Njemanze Foundation (DNF), Tech Her, among others recently hosted a webinar on proposed repeal. The webinar provided a platform for a robust discussion on the importance of the Act and the potential consequences of its repeal.
Participants noted that the Act was not just a legal document but a symbol of progress and commitment to protecting the rights and safety of all Nigerians.
It represents years of advocacy and collaboration among various stakeholders, including civil society organisations, government agencies, and international partners. For many, the Act is more than just law, it is a lifeline for those affected by violence.
Threat of repeal
The repeal of the VAPP Act has been proposed by Senator Ibrahim Isah, who argued that the current law has substantial drafting challenges and failed to meet contemporary societal standards. However, many Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) contest this view, asserting that the proposal for the repeal was unjustified and would negate years of progress.
Dr. Akiyode-Afolabi questioned the motivations behind the repeal, suggesting that it could be driven by misconceptions about the Act or a lack of understanding of its significance.
“Even when the law was passed, there were criticisms, but those are not reasons to throw away years of progress,” she argued.
“The question is whether the issues raised are substantial enough to negate the intention of the entire Bill,” she added.
She called for a more nuanced approach that would address specific concerns without compromising the overall integrity of the law.
Case for amendment
Acting Executive Director of WARDC, Emmanuella Azu, opened the session with a reminder of the arduous journey to the passage of the original VAPP Bill.
“We all understand the journey towards ensuring the passage of the VAPP Bill in Nigeria. It was a long and tortuous journey, and finally, we got the Bill. We are thankful that we have a tool that we can use to ensure that all forms of violence against women and girls are eradicated in Nigeria,” she stated.
Azu, however, emphasized the collective disappointment of the women groups over the proposed repeal and stressed the need for a review rather than a repeal.
She noted that repealing the Act would not only erase the progress made but also send a disheartening message to survivors of violence and those who work tirelessly to support them.
Also adding voice, Founder of WARIF, Dr. Kemi DaSilva, underscored the importance of focusing on specific areas for improvement within the VAPP Act.
“There are indeed many aspects of our VAPP Act that could be amended,” she said. “But there is a fundamental difference between the use of the word repeal and amend. We don’t need a repeal; what is really needed is a moral amendment,” she said.
Dr. DaSilva stressed that the repeal would undermine the progress made in combating gender-based violence, urging a more targeted approach to enhancing the Act. She pointed out that the VAPP Act has already been instrumental in providing legal recourse for survivors and ensuring that perpetrators are held accountable. Repealing the Act, she argued, would strip away these critical protections and leave a void in the legal system.
Motives behind proposed repeal
Executive Director of Challenge Parenthood Initiative in Kogi state, Eunice Abimbola-Agbogu, questioned the motivations behind the secretive handling of the first and second readings of the repeal bill.
She highlighted the risk of a repeal cascading down to states that have domesticated the Act, emphasizing the need to focus on amendments.
“We need to be vigilant about the implications of this repeal at all levels,” she urged.
Abimbola-Agbogu also called for greater engagement with lawmakers to ensure that they understand the importance of the VAPP Act and the potential consequences of its repeal.
Impact of Act
Speaking on the impact of the Act, Director of the Center for Human Rights and Convener of Womanifesto, Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, provided a detailed overview of the impact and the risks associated with its repeal.
“The VAPP law took almost 13 years to pass. It’s a legal framework born out of a genuine desire to address acts of violence against women and fill gaps in existing legislation,” she noted.
Akiyode-Afolabi outlined the Act’s role in defining offenses, setting penalties, and delineating the responsibilities of various stakeholders in the justice system. She stressed the importance of the VAPP Act in creating a comprehensive legal framework that addresses all forms of violence, including emotional, psychological, and economic abuse, which were previously not adequately covered by Nigerian law.
Unique provisions
Dr. Akiyode-Afolabi also highlighted the innovative provisions of the VAPP Act, including protections for victims’ identities and the issuance of protective orders. These measures have brought significant innovation to the legal landscape regarding gender-based violence.
The Act also introduced compensation mechanisms for survivors, which she described as a groundbreaking aspect of the law, setting a precedent for recognizing and addressing the financial impacts of violence.
She acknowledged that while the Act has some flaws, such as minor drafting errors and inadequate fines, these issues could be rectified through amendments rather than a wholesale repeal.
“We have seen the Act bring about real change, and while no law is perfect, the right approach is to amend and strengthen it, not to dismantle it entirely,” she argued.
Success story
Panelists highlighted the successes of the VAPP Act, noting its adoption by 34 out of Nigeria’s 36 states, which demonstrates its broad acceptance and effectiveness. They argued that repealing the Act would not only reverse these gains but also send a dangerous signal regarding the country’s commitment to protecting women’s rights.
“The VAPP Act has provided a critical legal backbone for gender-based violence response in Nigeria,” Dr. DaSilva stated. “Its repeal would be a step backward, and we cannot afford to lose the ground we have gained.”
Speakers noted that the Act has empowered law enforcement agencies, the judiciary, and civil society organizations to work together more effectively in responding to cases of violence. The legal clarity provided by the Act has also helped in raising public awareness and changing societal attitudes towards gender-based violence.
Importance for workplace policies
Gender Desk Officer for the Federal Ministry of Labor and Employment, Daniel Ayodeji, underscored the importance of maintaining the VAPP Act, particularly in relation to workplace policies.
He noted that the Ministry had recently developed and validated the National Workplace Gender Policy, which references the VAPP Act as a foundational document.
“You cannot amend a law that has been repealed. That law should still be in existence; then you can amend it,” Ayodeji argued, advocating for the preservation of the Act as a basis for further improvements.
Ayodeji highlighted how the VAPP Act has influenced workplace regulations, promoting safer and more equitable environments for women.
He warned that repealing the Act could undermine these efforts and make it more difficult to protect workers from harassment and abuse.
Concerns over state-level implications
Anti-Sexual Violence Lead at the ASVIOL Support Initiative, Hassana Maina, expressed concern about the potential ripple effect of the repeal across Nigerian states. “Some of the states have already domesticated the VAPP Act, but there is fear that if the federal law is repealed, it could influence these states to follow suit,” she warned.
Maina noted that the domestication of the VAPP Act in various states has been a significant achievement, and its repeal could undermine these efforts.
Maina criticised the secretive manner in which the repeal process has been handled, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability in legislative proceedings, calling for a more open and inclusive dialogue on the future of the VAPP Act.
“This kind of secrecy breeds distrust and raises questions about the true intentions behind the repeal,” she said.
Engaging lawmakers
Another participant, simply identified as Goroso, raised the issue of engaging directly with Senator Ibrahim Isah, who introduced the repeal bill. She emphasized the need for both institutional and individual efforts to educate the Senator on the significance of the VAPP Act.
“We may be dealing with a novice. Sometimes you suspect people, but they may be novices. They don’t understand what it is,” she warned.
Goroso called for a concerted effort to provide lawmakers with accurate information and evidence of the Act’s positive impact.
Impact on survivors
Speaking from a person perspective the Executive Director of the Dorothy Njemanze Foundation, Dorothy Njemanze, emphasizing the importance of amplifying data on the benefits of the VAPP Act for survivors of violence.
“I am a survivor of violence. I deal with survivors of violence. And the thought of a repeal of such an act sounds like a threat to our lives,” Njemanze stated.
She called for more programs and educational materials to be made available to the grassroots to underscore the importance of the VAPP Act and hold lawmakers accountable.
Njemanze shared stories of survivors who have found justice and solace under the provisions of the VAPP Act, arguing that repealing the law would silence the voices of countless women who have fought against their abusers.
“The VAPP Act is not just a piece of legislation; it’s a shield for survivors, offering hope and a path to healing. Taking that away would be a betrayal to every survivor who has trusted in the system to protect them,” she asserted.
Danger of silent repeal
Gender Activist and former Country Director, ActionAid Nigeria, Ene Obi, highlighted the dangers of the silent progression of the repeal bill through two readings in the Senate.
“This is unbelievable. Silently! Something that they worked on for how many years? Nearly 15 years before the Act was passed,” Obi queried.
She urged constituents from Kogi East to speak with their representatives about the implications of the repeal.
She stressed the progress made in addressing gender-based violence and the necessity of protecting these gains, cautioning against a return to outdated legal frameworks.
Obi pointed out the strategic need for active community mobilisation and lobbying efforts to ensure that the voices of those who would be most affected by the repeal are heard.
“We cannot afford to be silent while our rights are stripped away. This repeal is not just a legal issue; it’s a human rights crisis that demands our full attention and action,” she emphasized.
Unified advocacy, action
Hafsatu Abdullahi proposed that civil society organisations prioritise advocacy for amendments rather than a repeal stating “We need to unite our voices, from the grassroots to the international level, to ensure that the message is clear: the VAPP Act must stand.”
Simialrly, another participant, Kadiri Oluwaseyi from Lagos questioned the motive behind the repeal and called for a united front in opposing it. “Our women have always borne the brunt. We call for an amendment and not a repeal,” he asserted, urging collective action to protect the VAPP Act.
The participants agreed that collaboration and solidarity among organisations, activists, and the public are crucial in preventing the repeal.
The importance of using all available platforms, including social media, community meetings, and formal lobbying, to raise awareness and influence public opinion was also highlighted and discussed.
Commitment to continued advocacy
The webinar concluded with a commitment from the coalition to engage Senator Isah and other relevant stakeholders in further discussions to address the concerns raised and push for amendments that will strengthen the VAPP Act.
Dr. Akiyode-Afolabi succinctly captured the coalition’s resolve: “We must protect the progress we have made and continue to push for laws that truly serve and protect all Nigerians, especially the most vulnerable among us.”
She emphasized the need for continuous engagement with lawmakers, the judiciary, and the public to ensure that the VAPP Act is not only preserved but also enhanced. “Our fight does not end with this webinar; it is just the beginning of a renewed effort to safeguard the rights of women and girls across Nigeria,” Akiyode-Afolabi concluded.
Path Forward
The coalition of CSOs emphasized the need for ongoing advocacy, public awareness, and collaboration to ensure that the rights of women and girls are protected in Nigeria. They called on lawmakers to reject the repeal and support efforts to amend and fortify the VAPP Act.
As discussions around the VAPP Repeal Bill 2024 continue, the message from the CSOs is clear: the fight against gender-based violence in Nigeria cannot be compromised, and the progress made must be safeguarded for future generations.
Dr. Kemi DaSilva summed up the collective sentiment stataing: “We are not just fighting for a law; we are fighting for our lives, our dignity, and our future. The VAPP Act represents a beacon of hope for millions of women and girls across Nigeria. We will not stand by and watch that hope be extinguished.”
The VAPP Act remains a cornerstone of Nigeria’s commitment to addressing and preventing gender-based violence. The coalition’s unified stand against its repeal sends a powerful message that the rights and protections afforded to women and girls are non-negotiable.
As the battle against the proposed repeal continues, the coalition urges all Nigerians to join the cause, stand against injustice, and work towards a safer, more equitable society for all.
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