VAPP BILL: Kogi human rights agency partners group on policy execution

Story from Rabi’atu, Lokoja

The Director-General, Kogi State Public Defender and Citizen Right Commission, Abdullahi Zakari has declared readiness to partner with agencies that have a focus on human rights and abuse in society.

Zakari made this known during an advocacy visit led by the State Coordinator of Gender and Constitutional Reform Network (GECORN), Mrs Eunice Agbogun recently at his office.

According to him, domestic violence is becoming a gender bond, but prevailing more among women, hence the need to have an established law that fights against such crimes.

He reiterated that the VAPP bill by now should have been passed into law, stressing that he would use his good office to facilitate and track the progress from appropriate quarters.

While emphasizing the welfare of those who are victims of child abuse, rape and domestic violence, the DG disclosed that as soon as the VAPP is passed into law, his office will ensure to pursue and follow up on the need for the Sexual Assault Response Centers (SARCs) to be created to enable proper protection of the victims.

He however promises to use the intellectual and professional wealth of his office to promote, synergies and create a more formidable working environment for GECORN and Civil Society Organizations in the state.

In her response, the state coordinator of GECORN, who also doubles as the Executive Director of Challenged Parenthood Initiative (CPI), Mrs Eunice Agbogun thanked the PDCRC DG for the warm reception and the good work towards humanity.

She stresses that the office of the Public Defender is cardinal towards the actualization of the network goals and objectives while thanking the DG for the follow-up and contribution towards the VAPP bill campaign.

Ms Agbogun urged the DG to use his good office in helping GECORN in actualizing the demand on the Federal Government to declare March 8, a state of emergency on violence against women and girls.

Eunice further added that there is a need for support mechanisms to address sexual and gender-based violence in homes, internally displaced people, rural communities, urban areas, educational, health institutions, and workplaces.

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