Orphaned, Vulnerable Children Asks Anambra State Government To Enforce VAPP Law

Anambra State Association of Orphaned and Vulnerable Children has called on the state government to actively enforce the Violence Against Persons Prohibition law, which it said is capable of providing needed succor to women and girls survivors of violence if implemented to the latter.

The group also called on the state government, through the legislature, to give priority to the bill on the domestication of HIV/AIDS Anti-Discrimination Act of 2014; in order to create safe society for all.

In a communique issued at the end of an event to mark the seventh day of the sixteen Day of Activism Against Gender Based Violence against women and girls, the group, which established the interrelationship of Gender Based Violence and HIV, said it is compelled to raise voices against pervasive issue of sexual and gender-based violence within Anambra communities.

The communique read by the Co-ordinator of Anambra State Association of Orphaned and Vulnerable Children, Mrs Onyeka Udegbunam, represented by the Secretary, Ugochi Freeman, called for continued support and enhancement of the NTASI Center, a sexual assault referral center domiciled in Enugwu-Ukwu General Hospital, which plays crucial role in providing timely and sensitive assistance to survivors of sexual assault.

The group also stated that the many actions and inactions of community leadership have greatly affected control of the spread of HIV/AIDS, especially stigma and discrimination, which had so much reversed the gains of the diverse HIV programmes and interventions.

In her remark, the Anambra State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Mrs Ify Obinabo, said the state government, through her ministry, is using Gender Based Violence integrated response to support the fight to end HIV/AIDS by 2030, adding that community-led responses are key to achieving the set goal.

Represented by her Administrative Secretary, Mr. Innocent Udeogu, the Women and Social Welfare Commissioner noted that the goal of ending HIV/AIDS by 2030 is crucial, and integrating Gender Based Violence into the response is critical because Gender Based Violence is a significant driver of the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

Participants at the event, including Pastor Osinachi Baruko; from Assemblies of God Church Awka District, and President of Anambra State Widows Association, Mrs Uju Izuakor, said they have been well-equipped to commence aggressive campaign to achieve the objective of ending HIV/AIDS.

Anambra State Co-ordinator, Violence Against Persons Prohibition Implementation Committee, Mrs Uju Onyendilefa, the Executive Director of Anambra State AIDS Control Agency, Mr. Johnbosco Ementa, represented by Mr. Ifeanyi Okedinachi, as well as Josephine Onah for Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption, RoLAC, Programme, among others attended and also delivered goodwill messages at the event.