By; ALEX UANGBAOJE, Kaduna
As part of activities to commemorate the 2022 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, Women’s Rights Advancement and Protection Alternative (WRAPA), on Wednesday, took the campaign for an effective implementation of the Kaduna State Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law and the passage of the Gender Equal Opportunities (GEO) Bill in Kaduna State, to Chikun Chiefdom.
Addressing Council of Chiefs, religious leaders and women at the Esu Chikun’s Palace, Barrister Bukola Ajao, Coordinator of WRAPA’s Legal and Social Empowerment Programme on Women’s Rights in Kaduna and Plateau State, being funded by Africa Women Development Fund (AWDF), explained the importance of VAPP law to the audience.
According to her, the town hall meeting with the traditional leader, his council of chiefs, religious leaders and women in the community is meant to demand the implementation of innovative strategies or action plans committed to by the leaders of faith and culture for the effective implementation of the of the VAPP law and the passage of the GEO Bill in Kaduna State.
She said WRAPA, is also working to establish a community-based movement of survivors and women’s rights defenders; Women of Resilience (WoR), in Kaduna State
Bukola added that under the project, WRAPA is establishing the number of women and girls who have access to support services such as legal aid, medical assistance, financial assistance, shelter, and other assistance. To validate the number of women’s rights organizations whose capabilities have been built on their rights and existing support services.
She therefore, called for the support and cooperation of the chiefdom to work with WRAPA, in demanding the prevention of, and accountability for, Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) and the effective implementation of the VAPP.
Responding, the Palace Secretary, Sunday Garba Makama, commended the WRAPA team for coming to share such important message with his people, saying “this visit is timely and the message is clear, we will play our part.
“We used to have cases of SGBV in our communities, but we don’t usually know exactly where to report them for people to get justice but with this awareness, we now know exactly what to do.” He added.
The theme for the 2022 day of activism is “Unite! Activism to end violence against women and girls:” This year’s theme calls for global actions to increase awareness, galvanize advocacy crons, and share knowledge and innovations on ending violence against women and girls.
