Mrs Caroline Dafur, Commissioner Of Women Affairs Plateau State leading other women is advocating for women inclusion in all structures of government in Nigeria
The Commissioner of women affairs was Speaking while addressing a group of Plateau women mediators after 2km walk rally organised by CLEEN Foundation at the Joseph Gomwalk State Secretariat Jos.
Krestnews reports that the walk rally which started from the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ Press centre, was part of awareness activities in commemoration of the International Women’s Day, 2024.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Alex Anlong, said women play vital roles in the development of country, hence their relevance in all ramifications of decision making, because they are the bed rock of the country..
“We all know that without women, there is no nation,no community and no state. I want to put it on record that violence against women and the girl Child should stop”,.she declared.
Mrs Dafur further declared, ”My belief is for us to bring to bear our successes,our failure and our way forward to enable us achieve our desires”
The Commissioner commanded women for taking their time to come out for the advocacy walk to sensitize and create awareness to both private organisation and the government in the country on the need for women inclusion in government.
Leader of the Plateau Women Mediation Platforms, Grace Gora, while speaking on the Theme: “INVESTING IN WOMEN TO ACCELERATE PROGRESS” said
“we embark on a journey of reflection, celebration, and action; together, we stand as a formidable force for change, united in our resolve to create a more just and equitable world for all”.
While commiserating with families and relatives of the school children that were recently abducted in Kaduna State.
She said CLEEN FOUNDATION strongly condemns this incident and called on security agencies to act with every form of response to rescue these innocent children from the den of these dare devils.
“We also show solidarity to the women in Borno who were taken from the IDP Camps as well as school children in Sokoto”.
According to her, hence, a testament to the reasons women should be invested in, to change the template of our public safety and security” Gora added.
She said this year’s International Women’s Day theme which is “Invest in Women, Accelerate Progress,” encapsulates the essence of their collective mission.
Gora further noted that, this serves as a powerful reminder of the transformative impact that investment in women’s empowerment can have on the trajectory of the communities and the nation as a whole.
The Women mediators leader explained that, “Today, as we honor and celebrate the invaluable contributions of women to every facet of human endeavor, let us not forget the countless barriers they have had to overcome, the systemic inequalities they continue to face, and the resilience and strength they demonstrate in the face of adversity.
This is a call to Action but celebration alone is not enough, We call on Government in Kaduna to translate policies into practice, make every policies and legal frameworks gender sensitive and responsive”
It is incumbent upon each and every women to translate words into action, commitments into tangible change and we must seize this moment as an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to gender equality, to amplify the voices of women, and to dismantle the structures of oppression that holds them back”.
She Observed that, investing in women is not just the right thing to do, but the smart thing to do, by empowering women, by providing them with the resources, opportunities, and support they need to thrive, they will unlock their full potential as agents of change, innovation, and progress”
As we march forward today, let us do so with a renewed sense of purpose, with a steadfast determination to build a future where every woman and girl can live free from fear, discrimination, and violence” Gora added.
Also speaking at the venue, the First female Plateau State NUJ Chairman Ayuku Pwaspo, called on government at all levels to invest in women who are farmers to ensure more higher level of productivity of their business so that at the end, women will increase tremendously.
Pwaspo noted that, the world knows that women have the capacity to do all things, and whatever they desire to do,even at their little conner, hence the need to ensure that the right of women is tremendously improved.
On her part, Chairperson of Nigeria Association of women Journalists, Plateau State Council, and Director gender commission, Nene Dung, charged “Women to always speak out on issues that concerns women, speak out on Gender Base violence and they must continue to help their girls and support each other,that is the greatest thing we need so that we can move forward together
Krestnews reports that the women mediators were drawn from four local government areas of the state namely: Mangu, Wase, Riyom and Jos North as well as women in peace and security, and other women organisations were secured during the Walk by members of JNI corps, live band music to entertain their movement
The mediators carried placards with inscriptions which reads; ” No woman should be left behind”,”
Equal opportunities for all””Breaking barriers,building bridges, gender equality ” Equality for women is progress for all” “Equal pay for equal work time for action not just words.”