NAWOJ on Saturday, 5th October, had its Congress and Stakeholders engagement on Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act (VAPP), with the theme “*From Bystanders to Allies*, Empowering Nigerian Men and Boys to Uphold the VAPP Act.
The event, which saw artisans, young boys, women, and men being enlightened on the VAPP Act, was aimed at promoting awareness and advocacy.
The Community Relations Officer, Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA), Mrs. Odumbo Adetoun, said:
It is an offense to have forceful penetration on someone without consent.
She sought collaboration with journalists on advocating against domestic violence and advised attendees to report verified cases to the Women Affairs office or call via the toll-free number on their flier.
Mrs. Aderonke Akinola Akinwole, a Social and Behavioural Change Specialist, spoke on: The Role of Boys and Men in Utilizing the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act.
The Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act (VAPP), enacted in 2015, is a Nigerian law that seeks to eliminate all forms of violence against persons, both in public and private places. Lagos State happens to be one of the thirty-four states to have fully domesticated and implemented the Act, with the enactment of the Lagos State Sexual and Domestic Violence Law, passed and implemented in September 2021.
She identified two factors responsible for targeting men and boys as stakeholders: Nature and Nurture.
The product of one’s environment influences how one’s behavior is formed, shaped, and sustained, including social conditioning, cultural norms, and gender stereotypes.
Aderonke Akinola Akinwole advocated for:
– Boys and men to advocate for gender-inclusive policies and programs at all levels
– Being a voice and model
– Reporting violence
– Saying and doing
– Engaging in gender-inclusive practices
– Mastering the act of managing self-emotions
As she noted, Boys and men should speak out against violence and call out perpetrators.”
Strengthen the community system to identify, respond, resolve, and report cases of violence.
Promote positive parenting that models raising boys intentionally.
Identify anti-violence stalwarts in the community and build their capacities to champion community-led innovative anti-violence campaigns.
She concluded by saying, One person can never make a village; it takes a combination of people, structures, networks, systems, and layers of interaction to build a village. You are part of that village; your action and inaction contribute to promoting or ending violence.
Lawyer Olajide Abiodun spoke from the angle of:
Bystanders to Allies in Empowering Nigerian Men and Boys to Uphold the VAPP Act.
The Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act (VAPP) provides comprehensive protection for victims and prescribed stringent penalties for offenders.
Women have always been at the forefront of advocating for the VAPP Act; it is crucial to involve boys and men in this mission to amplify its objectives and ensure a violence-free society.
Men and boys play a pivotal role in the fight against gender-based violence. By shifting from bystanders to active allies, men and boys can challenge and change societal norms that perpetuate violence.
Engaging men in discussions about the VAPP Act can foster a deeper understanding of its importance.
The VAPP Act addresses various forms of violence, including physical, sexual, psychological, and economic violence.
It redefines rape to include non-consensual penetration of any part of the body, recognizes male victims of rape, and criminalizes harmful traditional practices.
He capped the stakeholders’ engagement by referring to The Protection Against Domestic Violence Law, which came into effect on 18th May 2027, designed to provide protection for anyone in a domestic relationship and prevent domestic violence where there is a threat.
