Implementation of VAPP Law reduces gender based violence in Edo--- deputy speaker

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Hon Maria Edeko, Deputy Speaker, Edo State House of Assembly

By Editor

June 2, 2024

The Deputy Speaker of Edo State House of Assembly, Hon Maria Edeko said there has been  a reduction of gender based violence following the passage and implementation of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition.(VAPP) Law in the state.

Dailymonitorngr reports that the Peoples Democratic Party's (PDP) lawmaker representing Esan North- East II,  in the House, said the bill was passed into Law on  June 17, 2021 when she was a civil commissioner in the state.

The lawmaker disclosed this while delivering a keynote address at the  Benson Idahosa University (BIU) Law Students' Association dinner which climaxed the Law Week activities in Benin, the Edo capital. 

The deputy speaker, who was represented by her Special Adviser, Barrister Tom Usigbe, noted that as  a former commissioner, she worked tirelessly to ensure the passage of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition.(VAPP) Law in the State.

She noted that the bill was  assented to on August 5, 2021 by His Excellency, the Governor of Edo State, Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki,  

She added that, the law has become a great milestone achieved in history of the State in particular and the country in general.

According to her, I personally worked tirelessly to ensure that the law was passed by the 7th Assembly.

"The law seeks to protect individuals from violence, coercion and harmful practices, champions equal rights, equity  and the elimination of all forms of abuse.

"The law covers rape, sexual harassment, intimidation coercive behaviour, emotional abuse psychological abuse and economic abuse.

"It may interest you to know that some of my colleagues in BIU worked with me on this law",she said. 

Edeko, however, promised to sponsor more people oriented laws that would directly impact on the lives of Edo people as a member of the state  8th assembly. 

She also promised, as a  state legislator  to  do more by ensuring that laws that impacts directly on the citizens and aimed at engendering the needed social change in the society are made.

The deputy speaker, however, appealed for a collaborative and cooperative efforts of all and sundry  to achieve a sane, order and egalitarian society where no man is oppressed and where truth and justice reigns.

She advised  the young law students and the youth to stay out of drugs stressing that, the menace of drug abuse was ravaging the society. 

"Focus on your education because the future is in your hands. Abide by rule of law and t is my sincere hope that Nigeria like many other nations  will get it right some day",she added.