More Areas in VAPP Law Calls for Implementation, Founder, DO Foundation

Dise Goddy Harry, founder of Dise Ogbise Foundation, DO Foundation says there are more areas in the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law that calls for further implementation to reduce the incidences of violence in the society. In this interview, she shares her experience of the 2024 16 days of activism and her organization. Excerpts;

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16 days of activism against gender based violence. What’s your assessment of its impact in Bayelsa state?

For us at DO Foundation and the Bayelsa Coalition of Women-led Organisations, I will say that we did a lot to make it an impactful one in Bayelsa State. It was a collaboration of over ten women led organisations. We moved from community to community, and to the creeks.

With our Muslim sister partners, we created wide publicity through the media houses and even had a symbolic white on orange headgears which made a loud statement on our protest against gender based violence. The 16 days of activisms was wrapped up with a cocktail to celebrate human rights champions while the issues of gender based violence and human rights abuses and the way formed the main discussion during the cocktail.

How will this year’s theme fill in visible gaps in efforts to eliminate gender based violence in Bayelsa State?

This year’s theme is quite apt as all stakeholders have been called upon to unite and invest to prevent gender based violence . The issue of a united team working in synergy will help to drastically reduce cases of gender based violence in the society.

Also, if government, volunteers and other key stakeholders can deliberately invest on supporting cases and survivors of gender-based violence, it help other victims to speak out and shame the perpetrator. This, will also reduce the never increasing cases.

What’s your assessment on the role of government agencies in curbing gender based violence in Bayelsa

The bodies and offices in Government responsible for gender based violence matters have done well so far, but there’s more that needs to be done. The intervention strategies must change. The government should collaborate more with relevant non govermental organisations to reduce this menace. There should be openness when it comes to invitations, trainings and interventions.

From your work, why is there an increase in cases of domestic violence in the state?

Poverty, ignorance and loss of confidence in the system. Most times victims feel settling such cases with a spouse will make the perpetrator provide for them and the existing children of the marriage. ( poverty and hunger in the land).

Sometimes also, with the massive advocates we embark upon it is shocking to note that some women are still not aware that they can reach out to us and get free legal support. So with their ignorance they are forced to stay in abusive relationships.

Then for lack of trust in the system, some women are of the opinion that their influential husbands can influence security officers to frustrate their complaints and so they would rather stay quiet with the perpetrator.

The VAPP act was domesticated in Bayelsa State. How will you assess the implementation in the dispensation of justice?

The implementation in terms of prosecution has been top notch and government too was very proactive when it set up the Bayelsa State Gender Response Initiative Team, GRIT but there are more areas in the VAPP law that calls for further implementation.

Share some of your success stories in the fight against gender based violence since its inception?

The success stories are enormous. From winning several awards to international recognition to keeping our children safe through our speak up campaigns to the creation of more branches within and outside Nigeria and the appointment as chairman of GRIT for almost three years in Bayelsa State to securing convictions of pedophiles and perpetrators of gender based violence are some of the very few success stories.

Tell us about your organization and its work in Bayelsa.

The work of Dise Ogbise Foundation aka DO Foundation stands for justice, security and development for the vulnerable persons in the society. We have been in existence since 2017. With about five pioneer members, myself, Victor Oroyi, Dr Inebaraton Preye, Barr Juliet Asoh Koroye, and Barr Joan Ballard, DO Foundation now has membership of over two hundred members and volunteers in the State.

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