By Fatima Muraina
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Ondo State Agency Against Gender Based Violence (OSAA-GBV) in collaboration with the Westminster Foundation for Democracy ( WFD) yesterday launched the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law (VAPP) in Braille for better understanding and in ensuring that every person is carried along for better implementation of the law.
Persons with Disabilities PWD were also sensitized and presented copies of the Braille edition of VAPP law at the event.
In her keynote address, wife of the State Governor, Chief Betty Anyawu-Akeredolu said the law which was domesticated in the state in 2021 provided for protection and prevention of issues of violence against persons which equates 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 vulnerable groups like women, girls and the PWD and appreciated the stakeholders, whom she described as very important.
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 for their rights not to be 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 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.
The State Chairman, Joint National Association of Persons With Disability (JONAPWWD) Mr Abiodun Olusegun expressed his optimism that the event is an avenue to get the consent of the law to know their rights in all ramifications.
Director of Public Prosecution, Mr Rufus Olubodun urged OSAA-GBV and WFD to sustain the sensitization with a view to reducing violence against persons.
In his reaction, Chairman, Ondo State Deaf Association, Mr Olanrewaju Adigbo urged that the programme be taken to Special schools to catch them young, and reduce the legal fees for the PWD, which he said is on the high side.
Chairman, Nigeria Association of the Blind in Ondo state, Mr Oladele Nasitudeen took participant through an overview of the Ondo State Violence against Person Prohibition law in Braille version