Plateau Assembly declares support to promoting Women Peace, Security

The Plateau State House of Assembly has declared total legislative backing to any activity that would promote the wellbeing of women in the state.

Speaker of the 10th Assembly, Rt. Hon. Gabriel Dewan gave the assurance on Tuesday, while declaring open a 3 day retreat on “Legislative roles in the localization, implementation and oversight of the women peace and security agenda in Plateau State” at Crispan Hotel Jos.

The retreat which was put together by CLEEN Foundation in collaboration with UN Women, Norwegian Embassy, Plateau State Gender and Equal Opportunity Commission among others was aimed at drawing attention to legislative roles in promoting Women peace in the state.

Rt. Hon. Dewan declared to the organizers of the retreat that at any giving period of time that they need any legislative backing or legislative support, they should not hesitate to approach them. Adding that they are ready to accommodate everybody.

He commended the organizers and all the government appointees for their respective roles in supporting the governor to achieve his agenda.

” We are working with the God’s sent Governor, whom God has given to the people of Plateau. Because no government succeed if there is no cordial working relationship with the legislatures.

He emphasized that as an Assembly, they have resolved that the interest and the survival of the state supercedes their political parties or individual interest.

Earlier, the Executive Director of CLEEN Foundation, Dr. Gad Peter said the foundation with support from partners have engaged women from 4 local government through a project tagged “Strengthening capacity, advocacy and local engagements of women mediation platforms.”

He said the engagements have help shape the women in fundamental aspects of peace building, mediation skills, digital skills, communication and cyber security.

Dr. Gad said CLEEN Foundation believes that parliamentarians are better positioned to promote peace and pluralism in their roles as elected representatives of the people and can play a critical role in ensuring that rural women are properly addressed.

“As representatives, members of parliament through their law-making and oversight functions, can ensure that government Institutions promote peace, security and gender equality by guaranteeing that all laws in their intent and in their application promote and protect human rights, inclusive governance and accountability. “He added.

In a goodwill message, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs, Mr. Alexander Parlong who represented the Commissioner, appreciated the organizer and said as ministry in charge of women and children affairs, they are more concern with things that will improve the security and peace of women in the state.

He said in the course of their work they discovered some challenges faced by the women like Cultural norms, Gender Based Violence, which he believes the retreat will proffer solutions to some of the challenges.

The retreat brought together members of the Plateau State House of Assembly and Clerks of the House among other participants.