Ondo State Agency Against Gender Based Violence (OSAA-GBV) in collaboration with the Westminster Foundation for Democracy( WFD) has launched the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law (VAPP) in Braille for better understanding and in ensuring that every person is carried along for good implementation of the law.
Launching the VAPP-Law in Braille today Thursday March 16, 2023 in Akure, the Ondo state capital, Person’s with Disabilities PWDs, were also sensitized and presented copies of the Braille edition.
In her keynote address, wife of the State Governor, Mrs Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu said the law which was domesticated in the state in 2021, was provided to protect and prevent issues of violence against persons which equates to both men and women as well as to punish the offenders of violence against anybody.
Anyawu-Akeredolu who was represented at the event by Mrs Ngozi Okoro, appreciated the organisers for bringing on board the vulnerable groups like women, girls and the PWDs appreciated the stakeholders for their participation and support.
She disclosed that the state will be going round the 18 local government areas to sensitize stakeholders, pointing particularly to the PWDs as she urged them to get informed and understand the law so that they can speak up and ensure that their rights are not violated upon.
In his goodwill message, the Country representative of Westminster Foundation for Democracy( WFD), Mr Adebowale Olorunmola, stated that the foundation is partnering the OSAA-GBV to support the effective implementation of the VAPP law to ensure that every single individual regardless of their status in the society is not violated especially the minors and the PWDs.
The foundation, he said, is an organisation founded over 30years ago to support Parliament Civil Society Organisations and credibility of electorial processes.
” We believe that we need to have a VAPP law in Braille form so that the visually impaired can understand the law so that we can all understand the content of the law”, he said.
Also, the Chairman, Ondo State Agency for the Welfare of Persons with Disabilities, Princess Folasade Arise, in her remarks, described the VAPP with Disabilities as providing maximum protection for victims and punishment of the offenders.
She advised people to desist from the evil act especially on PWDs because it will not be taken lightly with the offenders.
While applauding the organisers for the programme which she said will enable them prepare themselves ahead, she noted that the agency’s mandate since inception is to see to the welfare of the PWDs.
The State Chairman, Joint National Association of Persons With disability (JONAPWD), Mr Abiodun Olusegun, also expressed his optimism that the event is an avenue to get the consent of the law to know their rights in all ramifications.
In addition, the Director of Public Prosecution , Barrister Rufus Olubodun, urged OSAA-GBV and WFD to keep the sensitization going with a view to reducing violence against persons.
Reacting, Chairman, Ondo state Deaf Association, Mr Olanrewaju Adigbo urged that the programme be taken to special schools to catch them young, to reduce the legal fees for the PWDs, which he said is on the high side, enlightening the public more on treatment and protection of disability, pointing particularly to members of the NURTW, officers and private companies and making available copies of presentations for the deaf to read because the speakers are too fast for the interpreters.
The PRO of Nigeria Association of the Blind, in Ondo state, Mr Oladele Nasirudeen took participants through an Overview of the Ondo state Violence Against Person(Prohibition) law in Braille version while the Executive Director, Disability Awareness and Development Initiative, Mr Opeolu Stephen Akimola presented the state VAPP law and the protection of persons with Disabilities for effective inclusion.
Earlier, in a welcome remarks, the Executive Secretary of OSAA-GBV Barr. (Mrs) Bolanle Afolabi, stated that the VAPP Law is a very important document that everyone must be involved in ensuring the implementation which should not exclude any sector of the society.
“WFD assisted OSAA-GBV in sponsoring the sensitization programme for people with disabilities to be informed about the VAPP Law.
We know that the content of the law will help us in achieving the purpose for which it was enacted,” she stated.
Highlight of the occasion included formal presentation of Braille version of the VAPP law to participants by both Mr Adebowale Olorunmola and Barrister Bolanle Afolabi.