Press Release: Law Hub Opposes Proposed Repeal of VAPP Act

Before the enactment of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act, victims of gender-based violence in Nigeria particularly women and children, had limited options for legal redress, and offenders usually avoided accountability, leaving survivors without support, protection, or justice. Historically, domestic violence was considered a private family matter, with no clear legal provisions to protect victims’ rights. Victims of rape, domestic abuse, and harmful cultural practices such as early marriage and female genital mutilation (FGM) were often shamed into silence or stigmatised for seeking help and justice.

The VAPP Act was signed into law in 2015 by former President Goodluck Jonathan, establishing a legislative framework that criminalizes all types of violence against persons. This Act has been crucial in protecting victims and holding perpetrators accountable.

However, this Act risks being repealed as Senator Jibrin Isah of the All Progressives Congress (APC) representing Kogi East district sponsored a bill to repeal the VAPP Act which has passed the second reading in the Nigerian Senate.

Supporters of the bill claim that the present VAPP Act includes ambiguities, particularly in the definitions of major offences like rape, and that victim compensation mechanisms are unclear. Also, some argue that the Act contains redundant references to repealed laws, which may lead to challenges in enforcement.  Opponents claim that it will undermine the progress in human rights protection, especially for women and disadvantaged groups. They argue that instead of repealing the VAPP Act, amending it to address identified flaws would be a more effective approach.

In Kaduna State, which was one of the early adopters of the VAPP Act in 2018, this legislation has helped to streamline the categorisation of various forms of violence, including emotional and physical abuse, and introduced stricter penalties such as surgical castration for sexual offenders in Kaduna, making it an essential law in combating sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) (Abukakar, 2023).

Furthermore, the VAPP Act has led to the establishment of Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs) across various states, that provide essential forensic, medical, and psychological care to victims of domestic and sexual assault. Despite progress being made in many states, there are challenges in implementation such as limited funding for these shelters and support systems. The then Director-General of NAPTIP, Dr Fatima Waziri-Azi, had also urged for greater implementation of the VAPP Act across states to reduce the increasing rate of rape and other violent crimes against women and children. These highlight how important the Act is in protecting vulnerable groups and the need for the investment of additional resources rather than repealing the Act.​

Law Hub Development and Advocacy Centre (Law Hub) firmly believes that repealing the VAPP Act would be a significant setback in Nigeria’s efforts to combat gender-based violence and protect vulnerable persons. The Act remains the sole comprehensive legislation addressing violence against women and children and repealing it will negatively impact millions of Nigerians as well as undermine efforts towards justice for victims of violence. Rather than repeal the VAPP Act, efforts should be made to improve its implementation in states that are yet to assent to the Act such as Ekiti, Kano, and Taraba. The emphasis should be on broadening the Act’s scope and ensuring that law enforcement agencies, the judiciary, and communities are adequately equipped to carry out its provisions.

At Law Hub, we are committed to supporting the protection of women and children through advocacy, legal aid, and capacity-building initiatives. We believe in the power of the VAPP Act to help build a safer society in which violence is not tolerated and justice is accessible.

We urge lawmakers to reject all proposals to repeal the VAPP Act and instead work together with civil society organisations (CSOs) to strengthen it. Together, we can ensure that Nigeria continues to prioritise the safety, dignity, and rights of its citizens, especially women and children, who are disproportionately affected by violence.

Signed:
Law Hub Development and Advocacy Centre 
(Law Hub)