Plateau State Commissioner of Women Affairs and Social Development, Caroline Panglang Dafur has reaffirmed that the State Action Plan engagement represents a significant milestone in the collective commitment to advancing peace, security and inclusive governance in the state through meaningful participation of women.
Speaking through the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Barr. Rebeccah Shaseet, the commissioner stated that peace cannot be achieved without the active involvement, protection and leadership of women at all levels of decision making, adding that women are not merely victims of conflict but they are powerful agents of peace, reconciliation and community resilience.
According to her, Plateau State understands the importance of strengthening inclusive peace building mechanisms given its unique history and diversity.
She added that the development and implementation of the state action plan demonstrates the government’s resolve to translate global commitment into practical community-driven solutions and respond to local realities.
Shaseet explained that the workshop was critical because it would provide opportunities for stakeholders to review progress, assess challenges and ensure that the strategies remain responsive, measurable and impactful.
She urged all on strengthening coordination, improving the implementation mechanism towards ensuring that women and girls benefit from the action plan.
The State Coordinator, Women for Positive Peace Building Initiative (WOPPI), Lantana Bako stated that WOPPI and SPRING were supporting the State Government by constituting a committee which comprised relevant stakeholders from the state government, civil society, local leaders, the media, among others.
She said the committee had earlier been educated on the state action plan through a capacity building workshop and that it is working towards the implementation of the action plan across the five pillars which are protection, prevention, participation, relief and recovery.
The facilitator, Dr. Sesan Peter, from the Center for Conflict Management and Peace Studies, University of Jos, spoke on ” Conflict Drivers in Jos South, Mangu, and Wase”, anchoring the Local Action Plan on “strengthening women’s, protection and leadership in Plateau State” .
The high point of the event, which held at the Information Center, JD Gomwalk Secretariat Jos, was an interactive session among participants.
Credit: Christy Tamai Wassak
