The Law Hub Development and Advocacy Centre (Law Hub) has strongly opposed a bill in the Nigerian Senate seeking to repeal the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act, a landmark legislation protecting victims of gender-based violence in Nigeria.
The bill, sponsored by Senator Jibrin Isah of the All Progressives Congress (APC) representing Kogi East district, has already passed its second reading in the Senate. However, Law Hub argues that repealing the Act would be a significant setback in Nigeria’s efforts to combat gender-based violence and protect vulnerable persons.
“The VAPP Act remains the sole comprehensive legislation addressing violence against women and children,” a programme officer for Law Hub, Pamela Udejimba, stated. “Repealing it will negatively impact millions of Nigerians and undermine efforts towards justice for victims of violence.”
The VAPP Act, signed into law in 2015 by former President Goodluck Jonathan, established a legislative framework that criminalises all types of violence against persons. Before its enactment, victims of gender-based violence in Nigeria, particularly women and children, had limited options for legal redress.
Law Hub emphasises the Act’s importance, citing its role in establishing Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs) across various states. These centres provide essential forensic, medical, and psychological care to victims of domestic and sexual assault.
The organisation also highlighted the Act’s impact in states like Kaduna, an early adopter in 2018. There, the legislation has helped streamline the categorisation of various forms of violence and introduced stricter penalties, including surgical castration for sexual offenders.
While supporters of the repeal claim the Act contains ambiguities and redundant references to repealed laws, Law Hub argues that amending the Act to address these issues would be more effective than repealing it entirely.
“Rather than repeal the VAPP Act, efforts should be made to improve its implementation in states that are yet to assent to the Act, such as Ekiti, Kano, and Taraba,” Ms Udejimba added.
The organization is calling on lawmakers to reject all proposals to repeal the VAPP Act and instead work together with civil society organisations to strengthen it. Law Hub remains committed to supporting the protection of women and children through advocacy, legal aid, and capacity-building initiatives.
As the controversy unfolds, the outcome of this legislative battle will have significant implications for the safety and rights of vulnerable groups in Nigeria, particularly women and children who are disproportionately affected by violence.
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