A Non-Governmental Organisation, Stop Violence against Women in Politics (Stop-VAWIP), has lamented that the delay in the passage of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Bill into law by the state House of Assembly has increased the cases of gender-based violence in the state.

Addressing a press conference in Akure, the group’s Programme Manager in Ondo State, Mrs Oluwatobi Olaifa, said this had become worrisome.

According to Olaifa, “Ondo remains the only state in the South-west region that is yet to domesticate the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act (VAPP).

She said, “About 25 states have also passed the bill into law across the country., adding, “The quick passage of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Bill of Ondo State 2020 into law would reduce the increasing cases of gender-based violence in Ondo State.”

She called on the lawmakers in the Ondo State House of Assembly to expedite action on the domestication of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act (VAPP) bill before the Assembly.

She said, “The Violence Against Persons Prohibition Bill of Ondo State 2020 is a bill for a law to eliminate violence in private and public life, prohibit all forms of violence against persons, and provide for maximum and effective remedies for victims and punishment of offenders and other related matters in the State. “The bill was first read on the floor of the Assembly on l7th December 2020.

“Thereafter, an ad-hoc committee was set up under the leadership of Hon. Simeon Borokini to review the bill. The committee took steps to review the bill and organized a public hearing on March 8, 2021.

“Considering, the impact of this bill on the people of the State by reducing the rising trend of gender-based violence in the public and private sphere, it is important to put all hands on deck to ensure the passage of the bill into law.

“However, we want to call on the Ondo State House of Assembly to expedite action to pass the bill into law. As we await the passage of the VAPP bill of Ondo State, we wish to reiterate here that the provision of this bill frowns against all forms of gender-based violence, harmful traditional practices, discrimination against persons, and it provides maximum protection and effective remedies for victims and punishment of offenders; and other related matters.

“Furthermore, the bill aims to protect citizens from all forms of violence and harmful practices that endanger the lives and properties of citizens. It also upholds the dignity and rights of men and women equally.

“It is at this juncture that we urge every individual, NGO, CBOS, the legislature, judiciary, and the executive not to disperse or hinder the pursuit of justice and the advocacy for the fundamental rights of citizens or kick against measures that have the sole goal of protecting men and women from acts of violence and other harmful practices.”