The Need to Review the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Vapp Law of Bayelsa State has been stressed as FIDA Bayelsa pays a solidarity visit to Wives of Bayelsa State Traditional Rulers council to harp on the dangers of the practice of female genital mutilation in the State.
This visit was in commemoration of the Celebration of the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation which is celebrated all over the world on the 6th of February every year.
The annual event is held to advocate for Zero tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation.
The Chairperson of The International Federation of Women Lawyers ( Nigeria) Bayelsa State Chapter , Dr Boma Tonye- Miebai who expressed worried duringthe sensitisation Visit to the Wives of Bayelsa State Traditional Rulers council noted that:
” The penalty for the offence of FGM is not stringent enough, how can it deter it’s commission”
She hereby calls on the Bayelsa State House of Assembly to consider the said ammendment as Zero tolerance for FGM can be achieved if the punishment is more stringent and stiffer.
The FIDA Bayelsa chair who also highlighted major findings on the
Investigation carried out by her team noted that the 2025 theme: “Stepping Up the Pace: Strengthening Alliances and Building Movements to End FGM.” brought together legal professionals, medical experts, and the wives of traditional rulers from across Bayelsa State to chat the way forward.
While the Female rights activists emphasized the dangers of FGM and its criminalization under Bayelsa State law. Legal experts, including Dr. Dise Goddy Harry, analyzed the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law, which prescribes a two-year imprisonment or two hundred thousand Naira ₦200,000 fine for offenders and a one-year imprisonment or one hundred thousand naira ₦100,000 fine for those who submit to the practice. A medical expert further highlighted the devastating physical and psychological consequences of FGM.
Discussions revealed that women often enforce this harmful tradition, unknowingly violating human rights. The Chairperson called on the Bayelsa State House of Assembly to amend existing laws, advocating for stricter penalties to reflect the severity of the crime.
The Queens committed to taking the #ZeroTolerance message to their domains and partnering with FIDA in the fight against Gender-Based Violence.
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