National Council for Women Societies, NCWS, Imo State chapter has insisted that the domestication of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition law 2021 in the state does not contradict any existing laws in both the state and country.
In a world press conference held in Owerri, yesterday, NCWS alongside other affiliate groups, including Coalition of Civil Society Organisations, CSOs in the state, state this while reacting to a statement credited to one Dr. Philip Njemanze.
Njemanze, had in a recent published article opined that the VAPP law, "legalizes abortion, bans Holy Bible, ordains female priests, and crown women traditional rulers."
But NCWS said Njemanze's statement, "lack factual evidence and a gross misinterpretation of the provisions of the Imo State VAPP law."
In a statement release by the NCWS National Research Coordinator, Lady Ijeoma Nne Udensi, the group said contrary to Njemanze's statement, "the domestication of the VAPP Law as a state law in Imo State has provided the needed legal reprieve for women and girls in Imo State.
"Since the passage of this VAPP law, we have witnessed a coordinated synergy among state and non-state actors, who have established a multi stakeholder body overseeing the implementation of the law which has resulted in the Imo state VAPP law becoming a household name in the state.
"To add impetus to the implementation of this crucial legislation, her Excellency Barr Chioma Uzodinma, established the Deborah House, a Sexual assault referral centre (SARC) in Owerri."
She continued, "Among the gains of the VAPP law in the state is the end to the culture of silence. More people are reporting cases of SGBV and demanding justice. Women and girls have become aware of their fundamental human rights. Furthermore, it has awakened the consciousness of the media who have lent their voice in dismantling stereotypes and biases.
"There is visible and increased male support for the campaign to end violence against persons in the state. The synergy so far built by this collective engagement using the VAPP law has also improved survivor support and access to justice.
"It is on the basis of these gains that we the undersigned have called for this strategic engagement with key stakeholder and actors, in the state to speak with one voice and to set the records straight to ensure the dismantling of the political power being wielded by the Global Prolife Alliance through the chairman Dr Philip Njemanze, aimed at discrediting, the VAPP law, using the tool of cheap political blackmail."
"Abortion was never mentioned in the 2021 VAPP law. Abortion remains illegal in Nigeria, and the VAPP Law does not change override existing laws. We therefore call on well-meaning citizens of the State rely on accurate legal information rather than the misleading interpretations which only exists in the fictional imagination of the author." she added.
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Also, reacting, Barr. Dominic Ezerioha, member representing Oru-West State Constituency, Eze Jude Nwago, Chairman Owerri North Traditional Rulers, Barr. Ihunanyachukwu Okoroji, senior legal officer, National Human Rights Commission, Mr. Ogbu Ernest, Commander, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), CSP Winifred Ezeanyaka, Commander, Gender Unit, State Criminal Investigation Department, Imo State Police Command, Rt. Hon. Uju Onwudiwe, progenitor of the Imo VAPP law and former member for Njaba State Constituency Dr. Fatima Ijeoma Emetumah, Leader, Federation of Muslim Women Association in Nigeria, Imo State chapter, Mrs. Marjorie Ezihe, Convener, Onurube Frontline Collective, South East, among others described the law as timely, commendable as well as be embraced and supported to further guarantee the protection of individuals especially of the vulnerables from all forms of violence, such as domestic violence, sexual assault, rape, child abuse, and other related offences.
According to them, "VAPP law provides the legal frameworks to prevent, prohibit, and punish acts of violence and provide support and protection for victims. The law also stipulates punishment 1or perpetrators of violence against persons, which could be either male or female."
