Gloria Diri lends voice for the domestication of VAPP Act in Bayelsa as group presents drafted copy
The wife of the Bayelsa State Governor, Mrs Gloria Diri, has lent her voice to the call on the Bayelsa State House of Assembly to Domesticate the Violence Against Person’s Prohibition Act (VAAP).
Mrs Diri who decried the increasing reported cases of Gender Based Violence advocated for stiffer punishment for the perpetrators to serve as deterrent to others..
She made the call while receiving in audience members of Gender Response lnitiative Team(GRIT) in her office on Tuesday.
She expressed her readiness to collaborate with the group to fight all forms of GBV..particularly rape and defilement.
“I call on the Speaker and all members of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly to do everything possible to domesticate the (VAAP) Act to as it will enable speedy persecution of perpetrators of violence against women and girl-child..
“I want to commend the proactiveness of the Gender Response lnitiative Team, this is just the beginning of a formidable team that will fight for this cause”
“I urge you all not to relent in your driving force, for together we shall fight and conquer by God’s grace, this rape surge that has become so rampant in our society today”
The speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Hon. Abraham Ingobere who was represented by Hon. Ebiuwo koku-obiya, chief whip and member representing Yenagoa constituency 2, commended Her Excellency Mrs Gloria Diri for her doggedness in advancing the cause of women and children in the state.
The speaker assured the group of the willingness of the House to domesticate the VAAP Act in no distance time, adding that the Act has already passed its first reading and public hearing would soon be held.
In their separate remarks Coordinator of the GRIT and chairperson of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) Maria Olodi-Osumah and Mrs Dise Ogbise the president Dise Ogbise foundation, revealed that the up surge in Gender Based Violence in the state is really disturbing which has necessitated the Positive Pressure Protest to the House of Assembly.
They note with concern that in spite of the fact that the VAAP Act was passed into law by the National Assembly since 2015, the state was yet to domesticate it calling on the Assembly to follow suit.
High point of the Peaceful Protest was the presentation of a copy of VAPP Act, Gender Response Initiative team T-shirt and stickers to the First Lady of Bayelsa State.
