By Chigozie Uzosike
In ensuring safe society and one free from gender-based violence, OGECHI & SAM IKEH FOUNDATION (OSAIF) has partnered critical stakeholders for the implementation of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) law in Imo State.
Speaking when the Executive Director of OSAIF, Ogechi Ikeh paid advocacy visit to the State Commander of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), commissioner for education Imo State and commandant Nigeria Security Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) respectively, she posited that since the passage of the VAPP law in Imo State by the State governor nothing has been done along the line of implementation adding that the law is not yet a living law because it's not being used by citizens who are being violated.
Ogechi Ikeh who's knowledgeable in development work noted that citizens are not fully aware that that the VAPP law has all it takes to protect them both men and female. She hinted that sustained awareness by all stakeholders needs to be done, especially in the communities about the provisions of the law.
Ikeh said that the essence of the advocacy visit was that the agencies are relevant in fighting all forms of violence in the society adding that the agencies will form part of the implementation committee that will see to the full operation of the VAPP law in the state. She revealed that in ensuring that the culture of silence prevalent around the law is dismantled, she said that there will be strategic actions, advocacy and awareness and sensitization to bring everyone on board. She regretted that violence against persons both in public and private places are lying unattended to in the courts noting that those cases can be dispensed with the VAPP law, stressing that it's about time the VAPP law is invoked for a safer society.
In their respective responses, the Commander of NDLEA, Abubakar. L. Wali, Commissioner for Education, Prof. Johncliff Nwadike and commandant of NSCDC, Imo State, Matthew Sunday Ovye, noted that the advocacy visit could not have come a better time than especially that the level of crime is becoming extremely high because there's no strict punishment for offenders adding that the NGO has come to make their work easy. They insisted that crime against humanity is evil and that the fight must be total and comprehensive. They all committed to be part of the committee for the implementation of VAPP law in the state.
They however urged OSAIF in partnership with Youth Alive Foundation (YAF) supported by Commonwealth to take the message to the communities while advising that women should not equally violate men by the way they talk and conduct themselves.
OSAIF provides assistance in the educational, social and economic and political development of all citizens especially interest groups-women/girls and youth including persons with disabilities (PWDs) through education, empowerment and equipping them through capacity building activities, training, information services, strategic advocacy, sensitization and conflict resolutions etc.
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