A leading communication Organisation for social change, Equal Access International (EAI), has presented an action plan document that will promote women’s inclusion and participation in peacebuilding and conflict resolution in rural communities in Plateau State.
Presenting the document in Jos, Plateau State, the Country Director of Equal Access International, Dr. Maji Peters, said the public presentation of the local action plan on women’s peace and security was a result of the declarations by the United Nations Security Council Resolution of 1325.
Dr. Peters narrated that the resolution will create a framework to ensure that women’s chairs are not empty on the table of conversation, adding that the local action plan document will cover the three local government areas of Riyom, Barkin Ladi, and Jos South in Plateau State.
He further stated that the EAI Public Presentation of the local action plan document on the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 (UNSCR 1325) is to increase women’s inclusion and participation in peacebuilding and security to address issues that trigger violent attacks in the state.
Peters said the action plan document was replicated in Kaduna, Kano, Plateau, and Benue States, adding that in any state they went to, they would work with three local governments.
According to him, in each state they visited, they ensured that the people were integrated as they did their research as to what triggered violence in the areas involved.
The Country Director emphasized that it was a public document to ensure that women are involved in peace and security in the domain where they are and to ascertain the role women can play to ensure permanent peace and security.
He said that what they are doing is not an intervention policy but one that would ensure that women are involved and integrated in peace initiatives in any state they visit on the issue of security and peace.
“This is policy. If you are talking about policy, you need a document that they are in, so this is policy.” He explained that they made sure that women who were victims of violence and crises were integrated into society to start their normal lives.
In her goodwill messages, Special Adviser to the State Governor on Gender, Barrister Olivia Dazyam, lamented that when violence and crises occur, women and children are more affected, adding that any organization that wants to move forward must involve women.
Dazyam saw the intervention of the United Nations as another effort to change the existing narrative for the better.
Also, the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Plateau Council, Mrs. Ayuku Pwaspo, said women play a key role in promoting peace, and the action plan is a welcome decision.
The commissioner of police, Julius Okoro Alawari, Commander Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, and other dignitaries were represented and sent their goodwill messages.
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