A Non-Governmental/Human Rights Organisation, Center for Mmadu (C for M), has introduced a simplified version of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) law in Enugu.
The Executive Director of C for M, Mrs Uju Okeke, made the disclosure in Enugu on Friday while welcoming partners to the conference on promoting gender equality through utilisation of VAPP law of Enugu State.
The executive director hinted that C for M had simplified the law and also organised a stakeholders’ meeting to make it easy for anybody without legal background to understand the contents and expectations as ignorance of the law is not an excuse.
Okeke explained that Center for Mmadu is a registered non-governmental, human rights organisation that is determined that all Nigerians, particularly women, children, the aged and the disabled, were treated equally and accorded deserved right to dignity.
She emphasised that the essence was to contribute to the improvement of the quality of life of Nigerians and to enable them live fulfilling lives.
Okeke, also a legal practitioner, however, hinted that the theme of the conference was tropical because humans are relational beings and in these relationship, violence often occurs, adding that it had grievous effects on victims such as low self-esteem, suicidal bout, loss of productivity and death.
She said that the Enugu State Government, in April 2019, took a bold step in enacting the law but people do not know about it.
She applauded the funders, The May 18 Foundation, for simplifying the law in writing, pictorial, user-friendly and easy to understand version of VAPP Law Enugu state.
In an interview, the Chairperson League of Women Voters, Enugu State chapter, Mrs Nnenna Anozie, and one of the resource persons of the program, said that simplifying the law would enable everyone, irrespective of literacy level, to understand it.
Anozie said that the aim was to create awareness, promote better understanding of the provisions of the VAPP law in the state.
In a keynote address, a legal practitioner, Mr Amaka Ilodigwe, explained that the law punishes different forms of violence like physical, sexual, emotional, economic, domestic, culture, among others.
Ilodigwe pointed out that the simplified edition would serve its purpose when they use it to deter perpetrators, educate victims on what to do in case of violence and empower users to demand accountability from government.
She encouraged the judiciary arm of government to enhance speed delivery of justice when handling cases of violence to encourage victims to report more cases.
