PDCRC ADVOCATES ENHANCED SUPPORT,SYNERGY WITH KOGI WOMEN AFFAIRS MINISTRY.
In a bid to foster stronger collaborations and enhance the protection of vulnerable groups, the Public Defender and Citizens Rights Commission (PDCRC) led by its Director General, Barr. Idris Onogo Musa Esq., paid a significant sensitization visit to the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajia Fatimah Momoh.
The visit, was aimed at highlighting the services rendered by the PDCRC, particularly in relation to the Kogi State Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law, 2022 (VAPP), and addressing the challenges faced by the Commission.
The delegation from the PDCRC headed by the Director General, Barr. Idris Onogo Musa Esq., included key legal representatives such as Barr. Emmanuel Ibenu Esq., Head of Criminal Litigation, and Barr. Innocent Adama, the Protection Officer.
The Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hajia Fatimah Momoh, and her team, including Barr. Wilfred Esq. and the Permanent Secretary, Mallam Abraham Yaya, represented the Ministry.
The sensitization visit centered on the introduction and elaboration of PDCRC's services, the challenges encountered, and the importance of enhanced cooperation between the PDCRC and the Ministry. The PDCRC emphasized its role in implementing the VAPP Law, which includes the protection of women and children's rights, alternative dispute resolution, legal aid, and representation for the indigent and vulnerable in civil claims and other related services. The delegation also highlighted the need for a shelter home for victims of domestic violence and other forms of abuse, which would serve as a safe haven while their cases are being processed.
The meeting took place at the Office of the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development in Lokoja, the capital of Kogi State. The sensitization visit occurred recently, following the enactment of the Kogi State Violence Against Persons Prohibition(VAPP)Law, 2022.
The primary aim of the visit was to sensitize the Ministry on the services of the PDCRC, advocate for support in addressing logistical challenges, and underscore the importance of a shelter home for victims of abuse. The visit also sought to reinforce the commitment to protecting Human Rights in Kogi State, ensuring that the VAPP Law is effectively implemented and that victims receive the necessary support and legal representation.
During the meeting, the Director General of PDCRC, Barr. Idris Onogo Musa, gave an elaborate introduction to the Commission's services, emphasizing the implementation of the VAPP Law. He detailed how the law, which was officially enacted on June 22, 2022, addresses various forms of violence, including rape, physical injury, coercion, harmful widowhood practices, abandonment, and stalking. The DG also touched on the challenges faced by the PDCRC, such as inadequate logistics, transportation issues, and the lack of a shelter home for victims of domestic violence.
In his presentation, the Head of Criminal Litigation, Barr. Emmanuel Ibenu Esq., discussed the etymology of the VAPP Law, stressing its role in enforcing responsible behavior and commitment to protecting the rights of individuals. He enumerated the six key parts of the VAPP Law, including the citation, offences, jurisdiction of the court, powers and rules of service providers, regulatory bodies, and the interpretation of the law.
The Protection Officer, Barr. Innocent Adama, spoke on the protection order under the VAPP Law, highlighting its role in providing protective measures for victims. He provided examples of recent cases handled by the PDCRC, such as the detention of a man for spousal battery and the arrest of a woman who used a pressing iron on her daughter. He emphasized that a shelter home would have prevented further harm to these victims.
The Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hajia Fatimah Momoh, expressed understanding of the PDCRC's responsibilities and challenges. She reiterated the Ministry's commitment to providing logistical support and emphasized the need for public sensitization on the VAPP Law. Barr. Wilfred Esq., also highlighted cases of abuse handled by the Ministry, such as the molestation of a 17-year-old girl by her father and the burning of a child's buttocks by his father in the name of discipline, stressing the importance of distinguishing between disciplin and abuse.
The Permanent Secretary, Mallam Abraham Yaya, suggested incorporating the VAPP Law into the Law School Curriculum to ensure that future legal practitioners are well-versed in the law's provisions. The Director of Public Relations, Mr. Inah H., also emphasized the need for the PDCRC to update its data entries on the national documentation dashboards on gender-based violence to foster both national and international recognition.
The visit concluded with a strong call for synergy between the PDCRC and the Ministry of Women Affairs to ensure the effective implementation of the VAPP Law and the protection of Human Rights in Kogi State.
ChukwuPeace Chioma,
Information Officer,
PDCRC.
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