ADVOCACY FOR THE ADOPTION OF THE VAPP ACT AND ITS EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION – THE VOICE PROJECT
The project titled, Advocacy for the adoption of the VAPP Act, 2015 in Rivers State, its effective implementation in Abuja and Lagos State under the Voice Influencing Grant commenced in September, 2017 and aims at promoting the adoption of the VAPP Act in Rivers state, popularizing its provisions in Abuja and Lagos State for effective implementation. The project is supervised by OXFAM Nigeria
Under the project, FIDA Nigeria hosted a National Stakeholder’s Workshop in Abuja to create more awareness on the need for the effective implementation of the VAPP Act 2015.
The stakeholders Workshop ended with a communiqué with an eight-point recommendation;
a. The issue of poor funding especially the budgetary allocation of the National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons and Other related matters (NAPTIP) which is the body responsible by the provision of the Act for the monitoring the punishment of offenders of this Law.
b. The need for the provision of shelters at every major town of a State for survivors of violent acts.
c. The need for increased sensitization of citizens on the innovative provisions of the Act by collaborative efforts of all stakeholders.
d. The amendment of the VAPP Act to address the lacuna highlighted above.
e. The need for all States House of Assembly of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to adopt the VAPP Act.
f. The need for orientation to change the mindset of citizens especially as it relates to the culture of silence and stigmatization of survivors and victims.
g. Provision of adequate infrastructure for all sectors involved in the implementation of the Act.
h. The need for proper enlightenment and sensitization of the NIGERIA Police force to effectively carry out their roles as provided by the Act.
GENDER BASED VIOLENCE INFORMATION MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (GBVIMS) PROJECT
Efforts to keep accurate statistics on gender-based violence in Nigeria; FIDA Nigeria collaborated with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and other stakeholders on the development and implementation of Information Management System.
The sole aim of the GBVIMS is to harmonize data collection by GBV service providers in the humanitarian and project settings and provide a simple system for service providers to collect, store and analyze data, and to enable safe and ethical sharing of reported GVB incident data.
The project involved the National Secretariat, FIDA (Nigeria) Borno and Adamawa State Branch.
ACCESS TO JUSTICE FOR CONFLICT-INDUCED DISPLACED POPULATION
This project targeted over sixty thousand internally displaced persons (IDPs) with the aim of providing legal information and assistance to ensure that the target beneficiaries enjoy the gains of justice system.
The project was funded by International Organization on Migration in Borno State while the activities include;
- Provision of legal representation/assistance to survivors/victims of VAWG
- Establishment of Stakeholders referral pathway for victims of GBV
- Advocacy visit to traditional rulers and persons of influence in host communities of IDP camps and authorities of the IDP camps
CHALLENGING IMPUNITY THROUGH GENDER PROTECTION AND EMPOWERMENT PROJECT
The Nigeria Stability and Reconciliation Programme funded the Challenging Impunity through Gender Protection and Empowerment implemented in Yobe state from March 2016 to March 2017 with various activities which in include
- Establishment and Capacity building of Stakeholder’s Monitoring Forum Referral Pathway
- Sensitization and Advocacy on end to VAWG and encourage women inclusion in the peace-building process/institutions
- Provision of legal representation/assistance to survivors/victims of violence.
- Provision of Legal representation/assistance to survivors/victims of VAW
SENSITIZATION OUTREACH ON VAPP ACT 2015
With support from IPAS Nigeria supported the Legislative Advocacy Coalition on Violence against Women (LACVAW) through FIDA Nigeria to conduct a sensitization outreach to Bwari Area Council, Abuja on the provisions of the VAPP Act, 2015 in December 2015.
While in June 2016, IPAS Nigeria supported FIDA Nigeria for a sensitization outreach to Jabi Junior Secondary School, Life Camp, Abuja on the provisions of the VAPP Act, 2015.
The project involves drama presentation by the drama club on issues of child sexual abuse, how children can seek help if violated based on the provisions of the VAPP Act, 2015 and the CRA, 2013.
STOP-VAWIE
The Stop Violence against Women in Election popularly called Stop-VAWIE project was in implemented in Bayelsa, Edo, Kogi and Ondo States. The project was designed to collate data on female victims of elections in public and private spaces.
With support from National Democratic Institute, NDI project was launched nationally in September 2015 and activities held from then till November, 2017.
PROMOTING AND PROTECTING THE RIGHTS OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN
The Australian Embassy supported a projection on Promoting and Protecting the Rights of Women and Children through the Violence against Persons (Prohibition) Act, 2015 (VAPP Act).
The project was implemented in Abuja, Ekiti and Lagos States from February, 2016 till December, 2016.
The project centered on two cardinal areas which includes
- Societal awareness on the provisions of the VAPP Act/Law through radio discussions and airing of jingles developed to popularize the provisions of the GBV Law in Ekiti and prohibition of Domestic Violence Law in Lagos State.
- Free Legal Representation for 45 indigent women and children within the ambit of the laws
ACCESS TO JUSTICE FOR INDIGENT WOMEN
FIDA Nigeria embarked on a project supported by Social Development Fund of the French Embassy across five states including FCT. The project activities were sensitization rally, media campaign on access to justice programme, development of IEC and training of paralegals.
The project provided free legal service to about 120 women in the focal states.