The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has revealed that it has repositioned itself to implement the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act and by implication improve access to justice for women with disabilities.
This was disclosed by Lawanta Igolu, a representative of the DG of NAPTIP, while speaking at an event organized by the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption Programme (RoLAC) of the European Union in Nigeria to commemorate the International Women’s Day.
Speaking further, Igolu shared that a disability desk has been set up at NAPTIP and there is sign language interpreter to ensure that there is no communication barrier whenever any case is reported to NAPTIP.
“With the disability desk, we’re able to address every reports and concerns of WWDs and we’re able to ensure you access justice. All you need to do is to report to us, we are in charge of the VAPP Act and we will ensure that no woman with disability is denied access to justice,” Igolu added.
On his part, ACP Hamed Usman, from the Nigeria Police Force Gender Unit, shared that the unit has provided quality services to ensure that cases are addressed appropriately and that justice is served at all times.
He noted that though it is a work in progress, the Nigeria Police Force would continue to ensure that women with disabilities are not denied access to justice.
Themed, ‘Breaking the Bias: Addressing Disparities in Access to Justice for Women with Disabilities’, the hybrid conference was moderated by Grace Jerry, the Executive Director of the Inclusive Friends Association and featured stakeholders from the disability community and mainstream Civil Society Organizations and Ministries, Departments and Agencies of Government.
