IMO: GOV UZODINMA TO SIGN VAPP BILL SOON – FIRST LADY

Barr. Chioma Uzodinma, wife of Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State, has revealed that the governor will soon sign the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) 2021 Bill into law.

She stated this in Owerri, the state capital, during the occasion marking this year’s 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence campaign.

Represented at the occasion by the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Chief Nkechi Ugwu, she said Gender-based violence can take the form of physical, sexual, psychological or economic, or harmful practices such as child marriage among others.

The governor’s wife said, “this is a time to reflect on how gender-based violence is affecting our society and what we can do to end it.”

Barrister Uzodinma explained that the law would protect all especially the girl child and women against all forms of violence.

Also speaking Hon. Uju Onwudiwe, member representing Njaba State Constituency in the Imo State House of Assembly, expressed optimism that the governor would soon assent to the VAPP bill.

She explained that although VAPP was for everyone, it is more particular about violence against the girl-child, adding that so many things were inherent in the bill.

Earlier, a rape survivor and author, Ishiaku Ada Fatima; Imo State Chairman of the International Federation of Women Lawyers FIDA, Chioma Iwueze; and Chair Person of the National Association Women of Journalists, NAWOJ, Imo State Chapter, Dr Dorothy Nnaji; respectively discussed the various ways through which the menace can be curbed in society.

Also the female student leaders in Imo State from the different institutions led by Comr. Ezugwu Christiana, were present to grace the occasion and make positive contributions.