Stand to End Rape Initiative (STER) implemented a three-day high-level capacity-building workshop on the successful implementation of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) law in Kebbi state, Northwestern Nigeria. Below is the summary of the training as well as the training manual for your perusal.
The training featured stakeholders from the Executive, Judiciary and Legislative arms of Government in Kebbi state. Traditional, religious, and civil society leaders among others were also in attendance. It was declared open by Ms Ayodeji Oluwaseun Osowbi, the Executive Director of STER who stressed the importance of implementing the VAPP law beyond its passage. She also implored participants to empathise with victims, and end the tradition of stigmatisation and alternative dispute resolution.
Remarks by the First Lady, Dr Zainab Shinkafi Bagudu
The First Lady of Kebbi State, Dr Zainab Shinkafi Bagudu, represented by Barrister Kudirat Shuaibu, GBV Technical Group Coordinator, briefed participants on the current state of SGBV in Kebbi State, challenges and the progress made in domesticating the VAPP Act in Kebbi State. Barrister Kudirat stated that Governor Bagudu and his wife had shown commitment and political will to end SGBV in Kebbi State. She said that the efforts of the Governor towards the eradication of SGBV started at the Senate in 2015 when the VAPP was passed; and this culminated in his sending a similar Bill to the House of Assembly which was passed and subsequently assented to.
She disclosed that the Law, among others, provides for compensation for victims and survivors of SGBV in addition to imprisonment for life for sexual offenders and putting their names on the sexual offenders register as provided by the Law. She describes the Law as revolutionary and all-inclusive as it seeks to provide a legal framework for the protection of all citizens, especially vulnerable ones such as women, girls, and persons with disability.
Sessions
The three-day training featured nine interactive technical sessions facilitated by human rights lawyer and academic, Dr Samuel Oguche.
Session 1: The Challenges of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in Nigeria
Session 2: Fundamentals of the Kebbi State VAPP Law, 2022
Session 3: Alternative Dispute Resolution and Travesty of Justice in SGBV Cases
Session 4: Service Provision to Survivors
Session 5: Advocacy Plan and Roles of Stakeholders in the Implementation of the Kebbi State VAPP Law, 2022
Session 6: Understanding Investigation and Prosecution of SGBV Cases
Session 7: Service Provision to Survivors
Session 8: Understanding Plea Bargain in the Prosecution of SGBV Cases
Download the training manual on the implementation of VAPP law in Kebbi state.