Connected Development (CODE) has expressed satisfaction with the assent of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Bill to Law in Adamawa State, following its advocacy for girls’ education in the State.
The VAPP law prohibits “all forms of violence against persons in private and public life” and provides “maximum protection and effective remedies for victims and punishment of offenders.”
Recall that the organization has partnered with Malala Fund to combat child marriage and increase school enrollment especially for the girl-child in the state.
Since launching its girl-child education campaign in 2020, CODE has recorded sexual harassment, gender-based violence, infrastructural deficits, insecurity and cultural barriers as major factors demotivating and hindering young girls from enrolling into schools in Adamawa.
The law will go a long way in abating these barriers, said Adaora Okoye, CODE’s Communication Associate in a statement on Wednesday.
Last week, CODE met with key stakeholders including the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Professor Maxwell Gidado who represented the Executive Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri.
In his statement, Prof. Gidado averred that education in the state is free for all children from primary to tertiary level, adding that the State Governor was focused on education— which he emphasized, is listed second on the 11-point agenda of the current state administration.
Delegates from CODE led by the Chief Executive and Malala Fund Education Champion, Hamzat Lawal, also visited Kate Mamuno, Member of the Adamawa State House of Assembly representing Demsa constituency.
Commending her dedication to social development, Lawal acknowledged Mamuno for being a role model and a team player in advancing the rights of women and girls to education and a better life.
Notably, Mamuno, was instrumental to the domestication of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act in Adamawa, imprinting her commitment towards working to eradicate violence against women and children.
In her new role as CODE’s Ambassador, she looks to not only stopping violence against women and girls but also ensure they are well-educated and are empowered to thrive in the society to meet their full potentials.
The state government disclosed the domestication of the law yesterday while appreciating CODE’s “immense contributions” to the process.
Lawal, in his response, commented that “CODE is excited to continue to support and collaborate with the Government of Adamawa State for the advancement of girls rights and education”.
