The governor of Cross River State, Professor Ben Ayade has signed a Multi-Sectoral Costed Action Plan for Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law.
Governor Ayade signed this plan as a way of showing support for the campaign to end all forms of violence against humanity within the state.
Today, Cross River is known as the first State in Nigeria to have such an action plan targeted against perpetrators of violence and providing prompt care and protection for survivors.
Governor Ayade said, “violence against persons in any form is violence against humanity. I am happy you pointed out that government needs to take demonstrable action to show commitment. So, I am ready and willing at all times to demonstrate that commitment.”
Ayade further said, “By signing this Multi-Sectoral Costed Action Plan for Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law, I have breathed life into it.”
To his Special Adviser on Women Affairs, Professor Gertrude Njar, who presented the document for signing, the governor said, “I am very impressed. In the last programme that I provided funding, I saw sincerity, I saw transparency, I saw accountability. I must commend the Nigerian women. They are more sensitive, more committed and genuinely more hardworking. The loyalty you get from women is absolute.”
Gender oriented policies
Earlier, Njar commended the Cross River governor for his gender oriented policies and praised Dr. Linda Ayade for taking the driver’s seat in advocating for the women.
Njar said: “The Ministry of Women Affairs is doing so well. In the past weeks, in line with global best practices, it engaged in activities to end violence against women and girls or as you have always remarked, against humanity, because even the male gender also suffers violence.
“I am glad to inform you that Sexual Assault Referral Centers have been established and spread across the state. Dr. Linda Ayade herself has also shown great effort in the Governors’ Wives Forum and has attracted funding to establish more centre,” she said.
Also speaking, the United Nations Women Generation Equality and Programme Specialist and joint European Union – United Nations Spotlight Initiative, Tosin Akibu lauded the governor’s commitment to gender development.
She said, “The VAPP Law was signed in 2015 and domesticated by some states but Cross River is the first state in Nigeria to have a Multi-Sectoral Action plan.
“You have demonstrated the political will and need for accountability. Most importantly, the Multi-Sectoral Action Plan is indeed sectoral across ministries – the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Women Affairs, the Ministry of Social Development and the Ministry of Youths and Sports as well as the Ministry of Finance,” she stressed.
She also expressed appreciation to the wife of the governor, Dr. Linda Ayade and the Ministry of Women Affairs led by the Special Adviser, Professor for the commitment to gender equality and development.
Source: Voice of Nigeria