A new project aimed at boosting women’s empowerment, strengthening their protection and leadership in Plateau State has been launched.
The concept is to make women take their pride of place in peace initiative, policy and decision making.
The project is by Women for Positive Peace Building Initiative (WOPPI) and in collaboration with SPRiNG and supported by the UK International Development (FCDO) and Nextier, has launched
Speaking at the launch which was held in Jos the Plateau State capital, Convener and Founder of WOPPI, Lantana Bako Abdullahi, described the initiative as a strategic intervention to amplify women’s voices in governance, peacebuilding, and development.
“We are here today to launch a project called Strengthening Women’s Protection and Leadership in Plateau State. This project is funded by the SPRiNG Programme and supported by FCDO. It will focus on three target LGAs – Jos South, Mangu, and Wase – where we intend to work closely with local leaders, government officials, and other critical stakeholders to ensure sustainability,” she said.
According to Lantana, women’s participation in governance and peace processes is not optional but essential. “We want to make sure that issues of women and girls are at the forefront of governance and development, with inclusion, budgeting, and policy commitment to women, peace, and security.
Furthermore, the project seeks to promote the effective implementation of the Plateau State 3rd Generation State Action Plan (SAP) on Women, Peace and Security (WPS), while also supporting the development of Local Action Plans (LAPs) in the three focus LGAs. Key activities include capacity building, stakeholder workshops, awareness campaigns, and grassroots consultations.
In her remarks, the Head of the Women’s Rights Commission, Kyenpia Mafuyai, emphasized the disproportionate impact of conflict on women, stressing that socio-cultural barriers and related have silenced women’s voices in decision-making, under it requires strong measures to emancipate the women and put them in their proper pride of place.
She added that women/the girls child suffer a lot, during any conflict outbreak, and that some of the brunt the bear is displacement, sexual violence, and economic marginalization.
But whenever there is peace initiative towards tackling the conflict, she noted, and dialogue to rebuild destroyed communities as a result of conflict, women must be involved in the process as their key peace drivers.
The Emir of Wase, His Royal Highness, Muhammad Sambo Haruna, who serves as chairman of WOPPI’s board of trustees, pledged the support of the traditional institution.
He called on religious and community leaders to actively promote peace and inclusivity, pointing out that lasting change requires partnership between cultural and faith leaders.
On his part, Dr. Emmanuel Ande, explained that the importance of women’s inclusion is not about presence alone, but about voice and that all hands must be on deck stakeholders must go beyond tokenism to ensure that women not only lead in peace processes but should be seen as chairpersons local government councils, governors, heads of ministries and parastatals, decision-makers, amongst others.
Furthermore, SPRiNG’s representative, Sitdung Mujidang, noted that the programme will run until March 2026 with the possibility of up scaling it, while Bernard Basson of Nextier stressed the importance of addressing structural barriers that limit women’s political and social participation.
The event brought together government officials and functionaries, traditional rulers, civil society organizations, community leaders, among others.