Nigeria – Violence Against Persons Prohibition Bill Becomes Law

Nigeria – Violence Against Persons Prohibition Bill Becomes Law

25 May 2015 – President Goodluck Jonathan, this afternoon, passed the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) bill into law. The new law  prohibits female circumcision or genital mutilation, forceful ejection from home and harmful widowhood practices. It prohibits abandonment of spouse, children and other dependents without sustenance, battery and harmful traditional practices.

This is after the Senate had on May 5 2015, passed the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act 2015 into law.

Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, confirmed the development.

The VAPP provides a legislative and legal framework for the prevention of all forms of violence against vulnerable persons, especially women and girls. This is a happy ending for a 14 year advocacy and passed through the three regimes of the National Assembly.

The law also prohibits economic abuse, forced isolation and separation from family and friends, substance attack, depriving persons of their liberty, incest, indecent exposure, among others. It also intends to eliminate violence in private and public life and provide maximum protection and effective remedies for victims of violence, and punishment of offenders.