The Nigerian House of Representatives through its Committee on Women Affairs on 2nd of November 2022 held a Public Hearing to discuss an amendment to the popular VAPP Act.
A Bill for an Act to amend Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act {HB 1804} sponsored by Rep. Adejoro Adeogun and co-sponsored by Rep. Sergius Ogun whose interest is on Image-based Sexual Abuse and Other Related Matters.
A Bill for an Act to amend Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act {HB 1804} sponsored by Rep. Adejoro Adeogun and co-sponsored by Rep. Sergius Ogun whose interest is on Image-based Sexual Abuse and Other Related Matters. It is instructive to note that the Adeogun’s Bill which seeks to protect the rights of widows against harmful and repressive practices and provide support for them scaled through second reading earlier in the year and has since been referred to the House Committee on Women Affairs for Hearing.
The Committee chaired by Rep. Adewunmi Oriyomi Onanuga drew representations from the Office of the Honourable Minister for Women Affairs, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) , National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) , International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Civil Society Legislative and Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Police Officers Wives Association (POWA), National Council for Women Societies (NCWS), Partnership for Advancement of Women and Economic Development (PAWED), Association of Women in Trade and Agriculture (AWITA), Women’s Rights Advancement and Protection Alternative (WRAPA), Rock of Ages Empowerment Foundation, Heir Women Hub including other notable foundations that advocate for support and protection of women and children's rights.
Rep. Adejoro Adeogun in his remarks highlighted the need to protect women and children from harmful cultural practices especially in the parts of the country where the Sharia laws are not operational.
He empathized with women who go through unimaginable throes after the death of their husbands in the name of cultural practices that are inimical to their wellness and happiness.
The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), a non-profit organization which seeks to promote, protect and preserve the rights of women and children through its representatives suggests that every 23rd of June which interestingly coincides with the birthday of Rep. Adejoro Adeogun be adopted as a National Day for Widows.
It is important to note that a just society that we all seek to promote will be impossible if women and children are chained to some practices that stand in the way of their rights as codified in the constitution.
Ondomind