The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Pauline Tallen has indicated plans by the ministry to engage the 36 state Governors for implementation of the Violence Against Persons Acts (VAP). The Minister gave the indication at a one day consultative meeting on Covid-19 Related Sexual and Gender based violence organized by the Woman, Law and Development Initiative (WOLDI) Africa in Abuja. Represented by Victoria Lar, Mrs Tallen who noted that the engagement is responsible for implementation of the VAP act in 21 States said it has become necessary inview of the alarming cases of gender based violence, especially during the lockdown. She disclosed plans by the ministry to work with civil society organizations to further bring advocacy campaign against the act to the grassroot. Track up Meanwhile the founder and president of ( WOLDI) Africa, Hauwa Shekarau in her remarks said the one day consultative meeting was put in place to further advocate for women’s right as well as provide access to justice. Track up Concession among various speakers at the meeting attributed lack of coordination among key stakeholders and poor implementation of legal frameworks combined with entrenched gender discrimination norms as factors responsible for the rising trend of gender based violence in Nigeria.
