Malala Fund and Partners Urge Nigerian Senate to Protect the VAPP Act

Maryam Aminu

Malala Fund and its partners have issued a strong appeal to the Nigerian Senate to reject any attempts to repeal the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act.

The VAPP Act, enacted in 2015, is widely recognized as a landmark legal framework that provides critical protections against gender-based violence (GBV), ensuring the safety, empowerment, and education of women and girls across Nigeria.

The Act criminalizes various forms of abuse, including domestic violence, rape, female genital mutilation, and child marriage.

Human rights groups warn that a repeal of the VAPP Act would severely undermine progress made in protecting Nigerian women and girls, potentially leading to increased school dropout rates and less safe learning environments.

“Repealing the VAPP Act would not only set back efforts to protect Nigerian women and girls from violence but also jeopardize their right to education,” said Nabila Aguele, Chief Executive of Malala Fund Nigeria.

“When girls feel safe, they are more likely to attend school and realize their full potential. This is not the time to reverse gains in gender equality; instead, we urge the Senate to amend and strengthen the Act rather than repeal it.”

Malala Fund and its partners acknowledge that there may be a need to revise certain sections of the VAPP Act to enhance its clarity and inclusiveness, but they advocate for targeted amendments instead of a complete repeal.

“While adding new provisions, such as those addressing attempted rape and defilement, is a positive step, repealing the entire Act could have disastrous consequences,” cautioned Bukky Shonibare, Executive Director of Invictus Africa.

“The VAPP Act, which took years of advocacy to pass, has been adopted by 35 out of Nigeria’s 36 states. Rather than undoing this achievement, we should focus on amending and properly implementing the Act.”

Advocacy groups are also calling for improved implementation of the VAPP Act to better protect and support survivors of GBV.

“Robust legal protections against gender-based violence are crucial to ensuring that girls can access, stay in, and complete their education,” added Toyin Chukwudozie, Executive Director of Education as a Vaccine.

“Repealing the VAPP Act threatens to undermine this fundamental right for all girls across the nation, especially in states where the Act is already in force. It is both unnecessary and a betrayal of those who fought for its passage.”

Malala Fund and its partners remain steadfast in their commitment to ensuring 12 years of free, quality education for every Nigerian child.

The VAPP Act is a critical part of this mission, and the coalition will continue to advocate for its preservation and effective enforcement.

The coalition urges the Senate to reject the proposed repeal of the VAPP Act and amend the Act to provide clearer and more inclusive protections for all, particularly women and girls.

The statement was signed by Hamzat Lawal of Connected Development (CODE), Rotimi Olawale of YouthhubAfrica, Frances Okeke of Sustainable Collective Advocacy for Africa Development Initiative.

Others include Benjamin John of Unique Care and Support Foundation (CASFOD), Hassana Shuaibu of ACE Charity Sani Muhammad, Bridge Connect Africa Initiative, Pamela Okoroigwe, The Inclusion Project (TIP)

Also Abubakar Muazu, Center for Advocacy, Transparency, and Accountability Initiative (CATAI), Gideon Olanrewaju, AREAi,Toyin Chukwudozie, Education as a Vaccine, Sola Fagorusi, Onelife Initiatiive and Bukky Shonibare Invictus Africa