The Initiative for Girls Rights and Health Development (IGRHD) a grassroots non-governmental organisation situated in Ile-Ife, has applauded the Osun State Government passage into law the Violence Against Persons Act (VAPP).
The Violence Against Persons Bill was passed into law in 2015 under the President Goodluck Jonathan administration in a bid to eliminate and prohibit all forms of violence including physical, domestic and harmful traditional practices like Female Genital Mutilation.
The Osun State government passed the bill into law on August 12, after its third reading at the State House of Assembly.
The Executive Director and Founder of IGRHD, Ayodeji Bello-Awodoyin lauded the state for being the 26th state to domesticate the VAPP Act.
She said, “It was the beginning of hope as it made Female Genital Mutilation and all forms of violence punishable under the law. The VAPP Act provides a legislative and legal framework for the prevention of all forms of violence against vulnerable persons, especially girls and women.
“FGM is an age-long practice rooted in harmful traditions and myths, criminalising it and making it punishable under the law is a huge step in the right direction as the absence and ineffectiveness of laws remains enablers of Gender-Based Violence.”
Ayodeji, a survivor of FGM with a background in Sociology and a track record of consistent anti-FGM campaigns home and abroad says she is proud of Osun State and the efforts of the wife of Osun State governor, Mrs Kafayat Oyetola in combating the practice in the state; the ambassador to her NGO, Her Imperial Majesty Naomi Ogunwusi, and stakeholders who have been carrying out campaigns for social change in their communities.
While she appreciated everyone who has spent their resources to eliminate the practice of FGM especially international donors such as Soroptimist International, Wallace Global Fund and Global Media Campaign, UK where she currently serves as the country’s representative in Nigeria, she implored the authorities to ensure laws remain effective as her organisation continues to sensitise the public.
YOU SHOULD NOT MISS THESE HEADLINES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
Lagos Is Second Least Liveable City In The World For 2021
Lagos is the second least liveable city in the world for the year 2021. This is according to the most recent annual ranking put together by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU)…
CLAIM 1: A Twitter user claims UNICEF said any efforts to block children from accessing pornography might infringe their human rights.
VERDICT: MISLEADING!