From our Bureau Chief, Benin
A review of the Edo State Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law, 2021 has begun by the State Government.
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The review becomes necessary, to strengthen protection for survivors and address emerging forms of violence, particularly technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV).
Daisy Osunde, the director of media in the State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, made this known in a press release circulated amongst journalists in Benin weekend.
The review process inaugurated at the John Odigie Oyegun Public Service Academy (JOOPSA), in the State Capital, held at a meeting of the Technical Working Group convened by the Edo State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development in collaboration with the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) Programme, it was said.
2nd (R), Perm Sec. Mrs. Joy Ihensekhien
Declaring the meeting open on behalf of the Commissioner, Hon. Eugenia Abdallah, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs. Joy Ihensekhien, said the review was necessary to ensure that the State’s legal framework remained responsive, to emerging realities and effectively protects vulnerable persons.
Continuing, it was stated; She noted that while the 2021 VAPP Law had been a significant milestone in preventing violence and improving survivors’ access to justice, new forms of abuse had emerged, including online harassment, cyberstalking, image-based abuse, sextortion and other technology-enabled violence.
Hon. Abdallah reportedly urged the Technical Working Group to adopt a survivor-centred, human-rights-based and inclusive approach with particular attention to children, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups.
As she expressed confidence that the review would produce a stronger, clearer and more responsive VAPP legal framework that reflects the realities of Edo State; and provides meaningful protection and remedies for survivors.
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Imonitie Omokhodion of RoLAC
Presented the ‘Overview of the Edo State VAPP Law, 2021: Key Issues and Priority Areas for Review.’
He was said to have identified gaps in the existing law, particularly its limited provisions on technology-facilitated abuse such as non-consensual sharing of intimate materials, doxing, online grooming, digital surveillance and AI-generated deepfakes.
Omokhodion was quoted to have also highlighted concerns over discrepancies in sentencing for rape and gang rape, provisions affecting minor offenders and the need to clarify marital consent.
He disclosed that RoLAC had supported the State in developing a zero draft of the reviewed VAPP Law, incorporating provisions from the recently launched Edo State Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence Policy, 2026, it was said.
A major highlight of the meeting, was the inauguration of the Technical Working Group, comprising representatives of Ministries, Departments and Agencies, the Judiciary, Legislature, security and law enforcement agencies.
Others include; religious and traditional institutions, development partners, civil society organisations, women and human rights groups, the press release stated.
