Minister of Women Affairs and Youth Development, Hajia Zainab Maina, yesterday, told the National Assembly to expedite action on the passage of bill to stop impunity and cases of abuse and defilement of young males by trusted adults.
Already, the Senate President, David Mark, has urged the National Assembly Committees working on the bills on violence against persons to expedite actions on them, saying that the bills would go a long way in addressing ills in the society.
The Minister of Women Affairs and the Senate President spoke in Abuja at a public hearing organised by Joint Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters and Committee on Drugs, Narcotics and Financial Crimes.
The committees are working on the Alternative Dispute Regulatory Commission Establishment Bill; Violence Against Peoples Prohibition Bill; Mutual Assistance Criminal Matters Bill and Proceeds of Crime Bill.
According to the minister, the Violence Against Persons Prohibition, VAPP, Bill “will stop impunity on the part of perpetrators of violence,” adding that, “cases of abuse and defilement of young males by trusted adults is expected to be addressed by this bill.
“Cases of administration of acid bath on partners in a fit of jealousy will decrease to the barest minimum because the punishment recommended by the bill is enough to serve as a deterrent.”
She further explained that the bill encourages mutual resolution of marital conflicts by spouses without resorting to forceful eviction by either of the parties.
Maina said: “The non-passage of the Violence Against Persons Bill has negatively impacted these vulnerable groups and has led to increased cases of gender-based violence being reported in the media.
“We want the Senate leadership to ensure that the “Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Bill be finally passed by this distinguished Assembly to ensure the safety of our babies, women, girls and young boys, especially domestic servants, the elderly and persons with disability everywhere in Nigeria.”
The minister also canvassed that cases of violence against women should be handled effectively while perpetrators must be promptly punished to serve as deterrent to offenders.
Bills will address ills in the society—Mark
The Senate President Mark, represented by Senator Ita Enang, said the bills will go a long way in addressing ills in the society and reiterate the respect for rule of law in the socio economic development of the nation.
Mark said: “It goes without saying that in any democratic setting where the rule of law is respected, investors will have the confidence to invest in that economy. In the same vein, it also has the capacity to boost the image of the country in the eyes of the international community.
“On our part, we are poised to enact legislations that will stand the test of time. Hardly a second passes without a case of violence against persons being witnessed on our streets or recorded in Police stations.”
Already, the Senate President, David Mark, has urged the National Assembly Committees working on the bills on violence against persons to expedite actions on them, saying that the bills would go a long way in addressing ills in the society.
The Minister of Women Affairs and the Senate President spoke in Abuja at a public hearing organised by Joint Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters and Committee on Drugs, Narcotics and Financial Crimes.
The committees are working on the Alternative Dispute Regulatory Commission Establishment Bill; Violence Against Peoples Prohibition Bill; Mutual Assistance Criminal Matters Bill and Proceeds of Crime Bill.
According to the minister, the Violence Against Persons Prohibition, VAPP, Bill “will stop impunity on the part of perpetrators of violence,” adding that, “cases of abuse and defilement of young males by trusted adults is expected to be addressed by this bill.
“Cases of administration of acid bath on partners in a fit of jealousy will decrease to the barest minimum because the punishment recommended by the bill is enough to serve as a deterrent.”
She further explained that the bill encourages mutual resolution of marital conflicts by spouses without resorting to forceful eviction by either of the parties.
Maina said: “The non-passage of the Violence Against Persons Bill has negatively impacted these vulnerable groups and has led to increased cases of gender-based violence being reported in the media.
“We want the Senate leadership to ensure that the “Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Bill be finally passed by this distinguished Assembly to ensure the safety of our babies, women, girls and young boys, especially domestic servants, the elderly and persons with disability everywhere in Nigeria.”
The minister also canvassed that cases of violence against women should be handled effectively while perpetrators must be promptly punished to serve as deterrent to offenders.
Bills will address ills in the society—Mark
The Senate President Mark, represented by Senator Ita Enang, said the bills will go a long way in addressing ills in the society and reiterate the respect for rule of law in the socio economic development of the nation.
Mark said: “It goes without saying that in any democratic setting where the rule of law is respected, investors will have the confidence to invest in that economy. In the same vein, it also has the capacity to boost the image of the country in the eyes of the international community.
“On our part, we are poised to enact legislations that will stand the test of time. Hardly a second passes without a case of violence against persons being witnessed on our streets or recorded in Police stations.”
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