SGBV Justice Network Cluster Seeks Speedy Implementation Of ACJ & VAPP LAWS
The Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) Justice Network Cluster has called for timely, speedy and effective implementation of the Administration of Criminal Justice (ACJ) and Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Laws in Osun Bauchi, Benue, Enugu and Kaduna States.
The Cluster is made of Ikra Foundation for Women and Youth Development (IFWYD), Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), League of Women Voters, Nigeria (NILOWV), Community Advancement Initiative for Self-Reliance (CAI4SR), Agbani Farms Ltd as well as Legal Awareness for Nigerian Women (LANW) and anchored by Lawyers Alert (LA).
The call was made at the end of the best practice round table on ACJL and VAPPL implementation event held in Osogbo, Osun state on a project being implemented by SJN titled ‘Towards Consolidating Advocacy for Effective Justice Delivering for Survivors of SGBV’.
The Cluster noted that the prevalence in cases of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) in Nigeria and is working to curb incidents of SGBV as well as strengthen the implementation of VAPP and ACJ laws towards ensuring speedy justice delivery for survivors of SGBV in the project states.
Nigerian women aged 25-29 had experienced some form of physical violence since age 15, with the common acts of violence in Nigeria being sexual harassment, harmful traditional practices, and emotional, physical, psychological, and socio-economic violence.
The Executive Director of Community Advancement Initiative for Self-Reliance, Mrs. Eni Ayeni said the SJN Cluster is pushing for full implementation of the VAPP and ACJ Laws, with a view to seeing the laws being very effective in the five project states of Bauchi, Benue, Enugu, Kaduna, and Osun.
The SJN Cluster is emphasizing the need to have adequate funding of the Sexual Assault Referral Centers (SARCs) as well as the need for the Judiciary to designate some courts for the hearing of SGBV cases, in addition to setting aside some days for the courts to hear SGBV cases.
The Cluster believes that if the laws are fully implemented, it will lead to the acceleration of cases and speedy justice delivery for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence.
The goal of the project is to facilitate and consolidate the activation/implementation of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law (VAPPL) and the Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL) in Bauchi, Benue, Enugu, Kaduna, and Osun States.
Specifically, the project aims to achieve speedy justice service delivery and resolution of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) cases, which falls within Component 5 of SCALE, which focuses on Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV), and Child, Early, and Forced Marriage (CEFM) Sector Strengthening and Advocacy.
The Cluster calls for effective implementation of the VAPP Laws in Bauchi, Benue, Enugu, Kaduna, and Osun states through the activation and funding of one-stop Sexual Assault Referral Centers across target states as well as the designation of specific state agencies (courts) with the mandate of implementation of the VAPP as contained in Section 44 VAPP Act Section 44 VAPP Act).
Implementation of the ACJA in Bauchi, Benue, Enugu, Kaduna, Osun and FCT through the designation of Special Courts for the handling of SGBV cases, as well as the activation of monitoring framework for the implementation as envisaged under Sections 469 to 476 of the ACJA.
Based on the foregoing, the Cluster acknowledges the need for the setting up of special courts to try rape cases.
