By Josiah Egbilika
In her effort to seek State Agencies commitment towards drafting a State Wide Framework for the implementation of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law in Rivers State, The Centre for Environment, Human Rights and Development on June 26, 2026 paid a consultative visit to Rivers State Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation.
The purpose of the visit was to seek for the ministry to drive the process that will lead to the production of a State Framework towards the implementation of the VAPP Law in the State.
The Project Lead, Mr. Josiah Egbilika while speaking during the visit praised the Ministry efforts and commitment to the fight against Gender Based Violence.
Mr. Egbilika stressed that the Ministry’s partnership with CEHRD and other agencies will strengthen collaborative efforts from the community to State institutions in a bid to reduce the violence against persons especially women and girls in Rivers State.
On her part, The Head of Human Rights and Governance, Centre for Environment, Human Rights and Development (CEHRD), Miss Queen Agba remarked that since the VAPP Law is domiciled with the Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, it will be a worthy effort for the Ministry to forefront the drafting and approval of the State Framework.
Miss Agba stated that such Framework will improve prevention and response towards addressing GBV in the Rivers State.
Responding, The Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Mrs. Lauretta Davies appreciated the Framework initiative from CEHRD, remarking that as a Ministry, it is their duty to ensure the implementation of the VAPP Law, thus, any effort aim to strengthen their work is a welcome idea.
On the issue of approval, The Permanent Secretary noted that it is within the Ministry’s jurisdiction to approve the framework since the law has already been passed and adopted.
She reiterated that the Framework serves as a Standard of Operation for the implementation of the VAPP Law in Rivers that, so the Ministry can approve.
The visit which had a successful outcome marked the end of CEHRD’s first series of consultative engagements with State Agencies.
Next step is to established a alliance, an advisory network that will drive the process leading to the drafting and approval of the State Framework for the implementation of VAPP Law in Rivers State.