A Non-Governmental Organisation, Participation Initiative for Behavioral Change in Development (PIBCID) and the Nigerian Women’s Trust Fund have called on women and vulnerable persons in Kogi State whose rights are violated to always speak out.
The groups made the call on Thursday during a capacity building training on Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law for women in Felele area of Lokoja local government area of the state.
Speaking on the implications of the law, the programme officer of PIBCID, Jimoh Olarewaju, said the training was to expose the women to their rights, what to do and where to complain when their rights are violated in line with the VAPP Law.
He said, “The VAPP law is very clear on rights violation and what to do when such rights are violated. There are offences and corresponding consequences.
The penalties range from imprisonment to fines of various sums when convicted.
“We have exposed them to this law and their rights. They are now aware of their rights and also know when these rights are being violated,” he said.
He added that the law was enacted by the National Assembly and assented to by the president, adding that it was also domesticated in Kogi State.
In their submissions, the director general, Kogi State Office of the Public Defender and Citizens’ Rights Commission, Bar. Musa Onogo Idris Esq. and Bar. Ameh Friday Esq. the senior legal officer/DG’s legal assistant, facilitators of the programme, educated the women on their rights and the steps to take when rights are violated.
They advised women to always take steps to seek redress when their rights are violated, adding that the Kogi State Office of the Public Defender and Citizens’ Rights Commission was set up to address such issues, and they are always available to offer free legal services in such cases. Speaking during the Capacity Building Training exercise, Mrs. Abdulkadiri Hajara, Mrs. Hajia Ramitu Muhammed Ndako and Memunat Morito, all praised the groups for the training.
