Group Urges Somalia Lawmakers To Push For VAAP Act

A group, Women’s Rights Advancement and Protection Alternative (WRAPA) Nigeria has implored female lawmakers from Somalia to persevere in their efforts to pass the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act in their country.

The secretary-general, WRAPA, Saudatu Mahdi, who made the call while addressing lawmakers during a courtesy visit in Abuja yesterday, shared insights into Nigeria’s story said, “It took Nigerian civil society organisations, government agencies, and development partners 14 years to get the violence against persons Prohibition Act as you call it.”

Highlighting the challenges faced in Nigeria prior to the enactment of the VAPP Act, Mahdi emphasised the need for persistence, stating, “We want to encourage you to say it is not easy because there are many things pushing back.”

She urged the lawmakers to empathize with those opposing women’s protection, emphasizing the importance of challenging societal norms.

Mahdi also informed the Somali lawmakers about WRAPA’s initiatives, including online learning hubs and economic empowerment programs for women and girls.

A senior advisor to Somalia speaker on Gender and Human Rights, Hanifa Habsabe, explained the decision to visit Nigeria, stating, “We thought we have a lot in common such as culture and religion.”

She commended Nigeria for the passage of the VAPP Act and expressed regret over Somalia’s five-year struggle without success, pledging, “We will not give up until we get it approved.”