Plateau State – In a bid to promote gender equality and increase women’s involvement in governance and decision-making, a one-day state-level consultative workshop on Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) Phase III was recently held in Plateau State. The workshop, organized by UN Women in partnership with the State Ministry for Women Affairs and Social Development, gathered stakeholders from diverse sectors at the Villa Grande Hotel and Resort in Jos.
The main objective of the workshop was to review and address gaps in the previous second-generation Plateau State action plan for Women, Peace, and Security. Participants engaged in productive discussions, reviewed, harmonized, developed, and adopted work plans for Phase 3 of the state action plan, focusing on strategies to enhance women’s representation and participation in peace processes and governance.
Mr. Zackaria Dambish, Director of Administration at the Ministry of Women Affairs, highlighted the significance of addressing the shortcomings in the existing action plan, which should have been reviewed in 2020. He urged attendees to recognize and amplify women’s roles in government and peace processes, emphasizing the need for effective strategies, especially given the recent change in government.
The workshop saw an inclusive and diverse gathering, with representatives from traditional rulers, government agencies, security forces, women mediators, media networks, civil society organizations, and academia. Mrs. Justna Guful, a member of the Ministry of Women Affairs, outlined the workshop’s objectives, which centered around enhancing the five pillars of the Women, Peace, and Security initiative.
Professor Chris Kwaja, Nigeria’s Consultant to UN-Women, emphasized the importance of altering the narrative surrounding women’s roles in decision-making. He advocated for a shift from solely supporting each other to actively engaging men in supporting women. Professor Kwaja highlighted the need for more women in leadership positions, such as the Federal Executive Council, national security council, and the Council of State, recognizing the vital role governance plays in conflict resolution and peacebuilding.
Additionally, Professor Kwaja drew attention to the disparity in appointing individuals not actively involved in women’s activities,particularly at the grassroots level, to oversee bills, policies, and positions concerning gender issues. He stressed the cost-effectiveness and necessity of prioritizing women in leadership and governance.
Representing UN-Women, Sese Isaiah introduced the UN Women Strategic 2015 program, aimed at strengthening women’s leadership in peace and security matters. The program also aims to foster gender-sensitive legislation, political participation, and mediation skills among women. The workshop’s focus was to develop the 3rd generation state action plan, aligning it with the program’s objectives.
In conclusion, Mr. Sunda Dougbin, Director of Planning, Research, and Documentation at the Ministry of Women Affairs, assured participants that all discussions and outcomes from the workshop would be promptly acted upon by the Ministry.
The participants identified key strategies to bolster women’s participation in governance and peacebuilding.
The workshop concluded on a positive note, with all participants fully committed to implementing the outlined strategies to promote women’s active participation in governance, peacebuilding, and decision-making processes in Plateau State. Through collaborative efforts and sustained commitment, lasting peace and progress are within reach, fostering a more inclusive and equitable society in the region.
