by Christiana Gokyo, Jos
The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Plateau State, has organised a two days’ program to mark its One-year Anniversary in office.
Activities lined-up for the occasion include: a menstrual hygiene awareness campaign; the training of one hundred girls on menstrual health management, equipping them with knowledge to make informed decisions about their health and well-being.
In a goodwill message, the Vice President (VP) Zone D NAWOJ, Mrs Chizoba Ogbeche, charged members to amplify conversations on menstrual health, promote accurate information, and support initiatives that ensure access to affordable menstrual care for all.
As part of the anniversary activities, which took place on Thursday and Friday, the association also featured the unveiling and launching of the “NAWOJ New Wrapper” at CSDA Hall, by Crispan Junction, along Rayfield Road Jos.
“Together we can build a society where menstruation is understood, respected and managed with dignity. Menstrual health is not only a health issue but also a matter of human rights, gender equality, and social justice,” she said.
“We must, therefore, continue to work collectively to end ‘period poverty,’ break harmful taboos, and create an environment where no girl misses school, no woman is excluded from opportunities, and no one is ashamed because of menstruation,” she urged.
In the same vein, the Executive Director of the Women and Girl-Child Rescue and Development Initiative, who is also Chairperson of the Women, Peace and Security Network, Amb Bridget Dakyes, charged members to embrace entrepreneurship and sustainable development initiatives so as to help women and young girls in their communities.
Speaking earlier, the Chairperson of NAWOJ Plateau State Chapter, Grace Akwe Gotip, reaffirmed their commitment to members’ welfare and the empowerment of women and girls through a menstrual hygiene awareness campaign, capacity-building sessions, and the unveiling of its state uniform as part of activities marking one year of the current leadership.
With the theme, ‘Build Capacity, Sustain Value, Multiply Impact,’ she disclosed that the association has remained steadfast in prioritising the welfare and support of its members since assuming office by establishing a dedicated welfare committee.
Grace Gotip added that, “NAWOJ’s mandate goes beyond journalism to include advocacy for vulnerable groups and victims of Gender-Based Violence (GBV), positioning the association as a voice for the voiceless in society.”
She said the association organised a menstrual hygiene awareness campaign and trained one hundred girls on menstrual health management, equipping them with knowledge to make informed decisions about their health and well-being.
She equally expressed appreciation to the Plateau State Government, the Commissioners of Information and Communication, Women Affairs and Social Development, Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), the Bagos Foundation, and other supporting partners for their unwavering support for the success of the program.
Our correspondent reports that the training featured presentations by Longret Laurentian, Programme Manager with the Women and Girl-Child Development Initiative, who spoke on “Menstrual Cycles and Unusual Changes,” and Jemimah Libere, who delivered a lecture on “The Onset of Menstruation in Girls,” while on the second day of the event, was the unveiling and launching of NAWOJ New Wrapper.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Rt. Hon. Joyce Lohya Ramnap, said the choice to mark one year with menstrual hygiene training and uniform launch speaks volumes.
According to her, “You are not just journalists; you are advocates, educators, and protectors of dignity, through fearless reportage, advocacy, and awareness campaigns.”
The commissioner was represented by the Director of Research, Planning and Statistics, Hannatu Dushu, who further explained further that, NAWOJ has been at the forefront of fighting Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, amplifying the voices of the vulnerable when silence would have been easier.
She stressed that, “Under the leadership of Governor Mutfwang, his administration recognizes that the development of Plateau is incomplete without the full inclusion, protection, and empowerment of women. From the policy to practice, we are creating a Plateau where women journalists and women everywhere can work safely, speak boldly and lead confidently.”
Chairman of the NUJ Plateau State Council, Ayuku Pwaspo, also commended NAWOJ’s efforts in strengthening the voice of women journalists and fostering unity, professionalism, and ethical standards within the media profession.
She also encouraged NAWOJ to remain steadfast in the pursuit of the association’s objectives, and continue to shine the spotlight on critical issues affecting women and girls in the state, particularly sexual and gender-based violence, child trafficking, drug abuse, and the advocacy for greater participation of women in governance and leadership.
Highlight of the celebration was the unveiling of the official NAWOJ Plateau State uniform and the distribution of sanitary pads to one hundred girls at the NUJ State Secretariat and the Community and Social Development Agency (CSDA) in Jos.
The event underscored NAWOJ’s dedication to promoting women’s welfare, championing the rights of vulnerable groups, and investing in the health and empowerment of the girl-child across Plateau State.
The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Caroline Panglang Dafur, was epresented by Bwehali Maren of the Women and Girls Safe Space, Bokkos.