Abstract
Domestic violence remains a pervasive issue in Nigeria, with devastating and often irreversible consequences for its victims. Despite Nigeria's ratification of numerous international treaties, such as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), the Maputo Protocol, and other human rights instruments, the country long lacked a dedicated legislative framework to address domestic violence effectively. Women seeking justice had to rely on the Criminal Code and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which proved inadequate in addressing the complexities of domestic abuse.After persistent advocacy by feminist movements and a protracted legislative process, the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act 2015 (the VAPP Act) was enacted. However, despite this legislative milestone, domestic violence continues unabated, raising questions about the Act's effectiveness in protecting vulnerable individuals and holding perpetrators accountable. This thesis critically evaluates the robustness of the VAPP Act in addressing domestic violence, using a doctrinal analysis with international frameworks such the Istanbul Convention. It further investigates the practical application of the Act's provisions by examining the experiences of domestic violence case workers in Nigeria. Through a combination of doctrinal and empirical research, this thesis assesses the extent to which the VAPP Act has fulfilled its intended purpose and provides recommendations for enhancing its implementation to better protect victims of domestic violence.
| Date of Award | 2 Jul 2025 |
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| Original language | English |
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| Supervisor | Panos Kapotas (Supervisor), Emily Walsh (Supervisor) & James Hand (Supervisor) |