Senate Should Reconsider Repealing VAPP Act

In May 2020, Vera Omozuwa, a 22-year-old microbiology student at the University of Benin went to her local church to study in what she thought was a safe environment. Tragically, she was brutally raped and later died from her injuries. The Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act of 2015, provides the legal framework to prosecute perpetrators of such heinous crimes and provide some measure of justice for victims like Vera.

Despite the protections offered by the VAPP Act, the Senate is currently considering a repeal of this critical legislation. The proposed repeal, which has already passed its second hearing, if successful would strip away the very protections that countless victims like Vera have relied upon, returning Nigeria to a time when such brutalities were met with silence and impunity.

The VAPP Act is Nigeria’s most comprehensive law to date for tackling gender-based violence, offering a broad range of protections that previous legal frameworks failed to provide. It extends the definition of rape, recognises non-physical forms of abuse, and criminalises a wide range of harmful practices, including female genital mutilation, forced marriages, and spousal battery.

Importantly, the Act also provides for victim compensation, protective measures, and public access to a sex offenders’ register. This law is a lifeline for countless Nigerians, particularly women and children, who face the harsh realities of domestic and sexual violence.

Senator Jibrin Isah’s argument for repealing the VAPP Act is rooted in concerns over the adequacy of compensation provisions and the economic implications of the fines and penalties prescribed by the law.

While these concerns are valid, amending the VAPP Act, rather than repealing it, is the right path because it allows for the preservation and enhancement of its current protections against gender-based violence. The Act already addresses a broad range of abuses, including physical violence and harmful traditional practices, but could be further strengthened by improving enforcement mechanisms, increasing penalties, and expanding support services for victims.

This approach not only ensures continued protection for vulnerable individuals but also aligns Nigeria with international best practices, demonstrating a commitment to upholding human rights and combating gender-based violence effectively.