As part of ways to end all forms of violence against persons, stakeholders and members of the civil society in the state have recommended stiffer penalties for offenders.
They dropped the hint while making their various submissions during the Public Hearing held on the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Bill 2019.
They opined that the penalties should be such that will serve as a deterrent to those who engage in any form of violence especially gender based violence.
In her presentation, Chairman, Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Ngozi Ordukwe expressed worry on the rate of gender based violence especially the rape of minors and inadequate legal framework to prosecute such offences in the state.
She lauded the bill which according to her is the only holistic instrument that succinctly addresses the issue of gender based violence.
“As a professional stakeholder in the justice sector of the state, we see an array of hope and we are strengthened by the proposed bill, she said.
The bill which is jointly sponsored by the leader of the state House of Assembly, Hon. Martin Amaewhule and the lawmaker representing Emohua state constituency Hon. Sam Ogeh, is expected to provide for a law that would eliminate violence in private and public life and provide maximum protection and effective remedies for Victims and punishment for offenders.
In his opening remarks, the chairman of the adhoc committee on VAPP, Hon Enemi George stressed the need for the bill which according to him is very important.
He observed that the issues pertaining to violence against persons are very topical and very very sensitive adding that the bill affects all citizens and residents of the state.
Describing the statistics of violence against persons in the country as alarming, Hon. Enemi expressed worry that spousal violence forms a good percentage of such violence.
“So it is very important for us to have this public hearing and let members of the public be part of this process, to bring to bare their contributions so that when the bill eventually comes to light it would be an all encompassing law with contributions from every sensitive stakeholder “,he said.
Representatives from the Nigeria Union of women journalists, Nigeria Medical Association, office of the State Attorney General and the ministry of women affairs were in attendance.
