Former Speaker of Edo State House of Assembly (EDHA), Rt. Hon. Chief (Mrs.) Elizabeth Ativie has commended the state governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki for signing the Bill on Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law.
The Bill which was recently passed into law by the state house of assembly will address all forms of violence and protect vulnerable and weak members of the society.
Obaseki who signed the Bill into law on Tuesday at the Government House, Benin City, stated that the bill touches on fundamental practices among the people, assuring that he will ensure that the law is implemented to the letter.
Rt. Hon. Ativie who is the member representing Uhunwode constituency at the state house of assembly, was particularly happy that the bill which she initiated about six years ago, has eventually seen the light of the day:
She said the law is capable of reducing drastically, if not total stoppage to violence against women and the girl child in our society.
“The law will eliminate all forms of violence in private and public life. It will address most of the pressing issues in the society, particularly violence against women.
“The law prohibits violence against all persons and provides maximum protection and effective remedy for victims and punishment for offenders.
“The law stipulated two years jail term for wife beaters and life imprisonment for perpetrators of female genital mutilation. Men who derive joy in beating their wives and turning them into punching bags will now think twice or risk jail term.
“I’m so joyous and grateful to God that the bill which suffered series of setbacks, has now become law and will checkmate violence against persons, particularly women and the girl child who have been at the receiving end”, the lawmaker stated.
Rt. Hon. (Mrs.) Ativie was full of gratitude to her colleagues at the Edo State House of Assembly for their support and cooperation with her in making sure that the bill was passed into law.
She also commended Her Excellency, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki, members of the Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) and other Non-government Organizations (NGOs), for their purposeful and relentless struggle in making sure that the bill saw the light of the day.
About Author
