. Kwara Speaker pledges to pass Violence against Persons Prohibition, VAPP, Act
Representatives of Actionaids Nigeria recently met with Community Based Organizations, CBOs, across the three Senatorial districts of Kwara state, which are involved in the Women’s Voice and Leadership Nigeria Project, WVL.
The WVL project, sponsored by Global Affairs Canada with support from Actionaids Nigeria is a five year project, focused towards women economic empowerment, women inclusiveness in politics as well as eradication of sexual and gender based violence.
The stakeholders meeting, which held at the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Ilorin, deliberated on observations, challenges and way forward as well as discussion on areas of collaboration by thematic areas as the project proceeds.
The event also witnessed the presentation of memoranda of understanding, to the CBOs.
Women’s Rights Program Manager, Actionaids Nigeria, Nkechi Ilochi-Omekedo, and WVL Project Coordinator, North, Actionaids Nigeria, Niri Goyit, were on ground to speak more about the project, listen to the CBOs and enlighten them further.
They both commended kwara state government, represented by the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, for taking the lead in issues affecting women and expressed satisfaction with the pace of the WVL project.
The Chief Executive Officer, Global Hope for Women and Children foundation, Glohwoc, Mrs Christy Abayomi, whose NGO oversees the project in the state, briefed the stakeholders on the selection process for the CBOs, noting that it was based purely on merit. She also spoke on the progress made so far.
The stakeholders meeting had in attendance, Representatives from the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Ministry of Enterprise, House of Assembly, Primary Health Care, FIDA, Nigerian Police, National Orientation Agency, National Human Rights among others.
Earlier, the Speaker, Kwara State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Danladi-Salihu, assured that the lawmaking body will soon join the league of states that has passed the Violence against Persons Prohibition, VAPP, Act, once the house resumes legislative activities.
The Speaker gave the assurance when he received the country representatives of Actionaids Nigeria and their state representative, Glohwoc, who visited him to stress the importance of the bill and know how far it has gone.
Danladi-Salihu, who noted that work was halted on the VAPP bill due to the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, assured that a public hearing will be held on the bill once the house resumes legislative activities.
While thanking Actionaids and Glowhoc for the job done to better the lives of the female folks in Kwara, the Speaker restated the determination of the state assembly to always support women-friendly efforts.
Danladi-Yakubu asked the NGOs to continue to liase with the ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, to come up with other legal areas that will benefit the women.
Actionaids Program Manager, Women Rights Program, Nkechi Ilochi-Omekedo, scored Kwara state high in the advancement of human rights with women issues at the center.
While highlighting some of the accomplishments of actionaids effort in Kwara, she commended the government for their cooperation and assured of their continued support.
The Chief Executive Officer, Glowhoc, Mrs Chritianah Oluwole-Abayomi, who was commended by all the stakeholders for the unparalleled work her NGO is doing to advance the course of women in Kwara and beyond, said Glowhoc will continue to ensure that Kwara and Nigeria meets up with the UN vision for the girl-child and women.
Also present was the Project coordinator North, Women’s Voice and Leadership Nigeria project, Niri Goyit, Chairman, House Committee on Women Affairs, Abdulkareem Paku, Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Abosede Aremu as well as Permanent Secretary and Directors from the ministry.
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