The Senate on Tuesday, passed the Violence against Persons (Prohibition) Bill into law.

The bill among other things seeks to prohibit female circumcision or genital mutilation, forceful ejection from home and harmful widowhood practices.

The bill which was sponsored by the leader of the Senate, Victor Ndoma-Egba, equally makes illegal, abandonment of spouse, children and other dependents without sustenance, battery and harmful traditional practices.

The bill is intended to eliminate violence in private and public life and provide maximum protection and effective remedies for victims of violence, and punishment of the offenders.

The new legislation also prohibits economic abuse, forced isolation and separation from family and friends, substance attack, depriving persons of their freedom, incest, indecent exposure, and a host of other human indignities.

Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, while commending the senators for their prompt passage of the bill said that the action would provide adequate protection for the vulnerable in the society and punish those who take undue advantage of them.

“The primary responsibility of government is to protect lives and property and as a responsible arm of government, our primary responsibility is to enact laws that will not only protect our people, but also protect their property,” Ekeremadu said.