The Women Wing Christian Association of Nigeria (WOWICAN) Plateau State Chapter, has celebrated their selection to work with United Nation (UN) Women in the fight against Gender-Based Violence (GBV).
The selection was made known at the weekend by the WOWICAN’s Chairperson, Sarah Clement Dalut, at the association’s 8th annual convention held at ECWA Bishara 1 Tudun Wada, Jos the Plateau State capital.
She said they have also partnered with the government and many agencies, as well as traditional rulers in the state to tackle the rate of GBV in Plateau State.
The Chairperson, Dalut, expressed their readiness to embark on the assignment with all sense of duty in order to tackle the GBV menace in the state.
According to her, the recognition and selection to work with the UN women is because of their active participation in women activities, including national WOWICAN, community empowerment programmes, peace initiatives, gender upliftment initiatives, working with women of other faith like the Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations in Nigeria (FOMWAN), among others.
“As Christian women on the Plateau, we look up to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12.31). We engage in prayer which is our primary role, we meet as Christian women every week on line and physically every first Friday of the month where we pray for ourselves, families, church, state and nation and as a result of our persistence in prayer, God has faithfully led and sustained us
“As a result of our active participation in National WOWICAN, Plateau State was among the few states chosen to collaborate with UN Women to bring the fight against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) to the doorsteps of our women. We have started stepping down the training with Blocs like CPFN/PFN, CCN and TEKAN ECWA participating and stepping down to their Blocs.
“On this note, we want to most sincerely appreciate the Executive Governor of Plateau State, His Excellency, Barrister Calep Mutfwang who through the Honourable Commissioner for Women Affairs Honourable Caroline Parlan Dufur and Barrister Olivia Dazyem, Traditional Rulers who have been working tirelessly to ensure that GBV reduce to the barest minimum on the Plateau.
“At the inception of this government, sixty women from the seventeen (17) Local Governments were trained, thanks to the benevolence of Honourable Bonkam Ali Wuyep, (Direction General Para State Micro Finance Development. Agency (PLASMIDA.
“We are also involved in Maternal Health and Child health with Medical Women Association of Nigeria (MWAN) Paese State Chapter to bring advocacy on maternal and child health. We sincerely appreciate Dr. Nana Awaya Emeribe for considering WOWICAN as champions.
“When we came into office in 2024, we observed the precarious shortage of water in some communities within the state, so we put resources together and supplied water to communities who are in dare need of water. We continued this year and we trust God to help us to continue or better still we pray that the government of Plateau State will look into the plight of the people and provide portable water for the communities.
“May I use this opportunity to appreciate His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Plates State. Barrister Caleb Mutfwang, and his dear wife for assisting our women, most especially widows and vulnerable through various interventions,” she said.
The theme of the convention the convention is “The Role of a Christian Woman in a time like this”, and Dalut stressed that this theme reminds them that as Christian women, there are called to be beacons of hope, light, salt and love in a world full of uncertainty, and that through inspiring messages, practical workshops and meaningful connection, they will explore biblical perspectives on women’s roles in the Church, family, community and the nation at large.
Highlight of the convention was presentation of awards to some persons who have worked and supported WOWICAN in one way or another on their mandate, as well as their services to humanity generally.
The award recipients are Her Excellency, Barr. Helen Mutfwang (wife of the governor, Surv, Prof. Gertrude Nnanjar Njar, Hon. Yari Kumchi, Rt. Hon Isa Madaki, Hon. Mrs, Caroline Dafur, Dn. Dr. & Mrs. Michael Odeyale, Rev. Dr. Ephraim Gongden and Grace Gardens of Hope Initiative.
Others are Rev. Dr. Steven Dangana, Amb. Rhoda Godwill Jahota, Rev. Dr. Dunka Gomwalk, Dame Rosalyn Atta, Mrs. Janet Satmak, Mercy Mathew, Hon. Samuel Dala Umaru, Beatrice Mohammed, Hon. Bonkam Ali Wuyep and Martha Abok