by Christiana Gokyo, Jos
Plateau State Women Peace Mentors and Women Mediators Forum have recently been trained by CLEEN Foundation in Jos, assisted with funding from UN Women and with support from Norwegian Embassy.
It was a one-day event, held at Forgiveness Garden in Jos, Plateau State, to commemorate the global ‘16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.’
The 2024 theme: ‘Towards 30 Years of Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action: UNITE TO END VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND GIRLS,’ underscores the ongoing struggle as part of the activities to eliminate violence against women and girls.
Speaking earlier to newsmen, State Coordinator of the National Human Rights Commission, Jos. Plateau State, Veronica Abe, said, “The commission is overwhelmed by the volume of cases. This year alone, we received over 1,000 reports of human rights violations, with 83% of them related to sexual and gender-based violence.”
“This particular event has been organized by the Women Mediators Network. This year’s celebration is fantastic because it aligns with the theme, ‘Beijing+30: Unite to Eliminate Violence Against Women and Girls.’ What makes it remarkable is how various civil society organizations have come together, forming a united front to fight against violence, instead of working in isolation,” she explained.
The State Coordinator emphasized that, “Violence against women and girls is a cankerworm deeply embedded in our social fabric. It is also underreported due to stigmatization. Even when violations are reported, many cases are withdrawn, allowing perpetrators to escape justice. This must stop.”
While urging governments to hold perpetrators accountable and establish the necessary institutions and infrastructure, she added that, “We need Sexual Assault Referral Centers (SARC), which act as one-stop facilities providing counseling, medical, and legal support to victims.
“It’s critical to have safe homes where victims can be rehabilitated before reintegrating into society, as many perpetrators are family members or neighbors,” she noted.
Veronica Abe advised the people that, “when they see something, they should say something,” and urged parents to report violations and not hide them out of fear of stigma. Rape, for instance, is a criminal offense and must be treated as such. Perpetrators must be held accountable to deter others.
She further explained that, “Campaigns like this raise awareness by highlighting the nature of these violations, informing the public about where to report them, and showcasing relevant stakeholders, who can help. Institutions like the National Human Rights Commission provide remedies for violations, and their services are entirely free and straightforward.”
Also, Elder Mrs. Justina-Mike Ngwobia (Co-Chair), said, she is so excited to say that their work has brought them to this point, where her community in Plateau State inaugurated her as one of the chiefs.
According to her, “This is significant because, historically, women were not given a seat at the table. Women were only meant to be seen and not heard. But, today, the narrative is changing.
“Now, we have women in leadership and, by God’s grace, I have the privilege of being one of them. I am proud to introduce myself as Elder Chief Justina-Mike Ngwobia,” she stated.
“As the lead woman mentor for Plateau State in this project, which we execute in collaboration with UN Women and with support from the Norwegian Embassy, I represent efforts driven by organizations like the CLEEN Foundation, together with various CSOs, the media network, and the HeForShe network. We are committed to amplifying the voices of women and girls in our communities.”
Elder Chief Ngwobia added that, “This commitment aligns with the global commemoration of the ‘16 Days of Activism,’ a campaign to end gender-based violence.
“My message is clear: there are no longer excuses. We can no longer tolerate gender-based violence in our communities. Everyone – men, women, and children – must unite to address this menace,” she urged.
“I am particularly pleased that, the HeForShe campaign involves men, who are ready to advocate alongside with us. Fighting among ourselves and violating one another only hinders our progress. True development happens when men and women collaborate and sit at the table together,” she stated.
She urged government to enact gender-friendly policies that encourage inclusivity, saying, “Policies should not favor one gender at the expense of the other. For instance, in political spaces in Nigeria, the inclusion of women has significantly diminished. What can we do to reverse this?
“I’m inspired by countries like Namibia, which recently inaugurated a female president. This is the kind of progress we need to see. If we are not yet talking about the presidency, what about vice presidents, deputy governors, or representatives in the National Assembly? For instance, with over 100 members in the National Assembly, having 35 women should not be a stretch.
Chief Ngwobia further stated that, “The diverse needs of women and men must be represented. Without women at the table, key discussions that affect half of the population will be ignored.”
The Lead Woman noted that, “In Plateau State, we are fortunate to have a deputy governor, the head of the Plateau Peace Building Agency, and the chair of the Gender Commission – all women.
“These appointments show progress, and we commend Governor Caleb Mutfwang for his inclusivity. However, like Oliver Twist, we want more – more women as councilors, lawmakers, and leaders in local governments.
She observed that “The efforts of CSOs and advocacy groups are beginning to bear fruit on the Plateau. Voices are being heard, and progress is being made. Yet, gender-based violence remains a global social construct rooted in outdated cultural norms and flawed socialization processes. These factors have impeded development for far too long.
“Achieving global development requires the inclusion of women, who make up 50 percent of the population. When women are left behind, progress stagnates. It is critical to ensure that women are given equal opportunities to contribute to development and decision-making,” she said.
She appreciated UN Women for creating platforms that empower women in Plateau State, across Nigeria and beyond, and also appreciated CLEEN Foundation for spearheading this program and driving meaningful change, saying, “Together, we can dismantle the barriers and build a world where men and women thrive equally.”
Also, Gad Peter, a Development Worker and Gender Expert, said, he was at the event to join his voice in saying, “No Excuses” as part of the ‘16 Days of Activism,’ adding, “and to encourage my mothers, sisters, and aunties to work together towards a better future – for women, for the country, and for humanity. My aim is to ensure we create a life that is better for everyone, but particularly for women,” he said.
According to him, “When you look around, you see numerous barriers against women – at home, in schools, in their social lives, at workplaces, and in politics. So, we’re saying there are no excuses; all of us need to act to ensure we build a safer, better society.
“We aspire to a time when every girl grows into a young woman, becomes a mother or grandmother, and is not discriminated against because of her gender or background,” he stated.
“It’s true that such cases exist with men, but they are far fewer compared, to violations against women. Studies show that, in cases of domestic violence, nine out of ten involve women as victims, while one might involve men. Women are more vulnerable due to fewer survival skills or instincts, compared to men.
“Addressing violations against women naturally creates a ripple effect – it reduces violations overall, including those against men. That’s why the focus tends to be on women, even though no form of violation should be overlooked,” Gad Peter explained.
He urged the government to invest in tackling these issues, saying, “Traditional rulers, Religious leaders, and all stakeholders must join the conversation. Together, we can create safer communities and a safer world. We must ensure women are protected from all forms of violation at every level,” he noted.