By Pwanagba Agabus, Jos
The Women Wing Christian Association of Nigeria (WOWICAN) Plateau State Chapter, has been selected to collaborate with United Nation (UN) Women in the fight against Gender-Based Violence (GBV).
This was revealed by the WOWICAN’s Chairperson, Sarah Clement Dalut, at the association’s 8th annual convention held at ECWA Bishara 1 Tudun Wada, Jos the Plateau State Capital.
There has been an increasing rate of GBV in Plateau State, and recall that after an assessment of the 16 days of activism on elimination of violence against women and girls from 25 November – 10 December 2020), the Deputy Director, Public Affairs of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Plateau State, Veronica Abe, confirmed it
Abe who spoke during a solidarity march to sensitise people on gender-based violence, revealed that the commission and its partners have recorded 664 cases of gender-based violence in the state in 2020 alone.
According to her, 183 were domestic violence cases, while 133 were rape cases, adding that there were 38 disinheritance cases, 14 harmful widow practices, while child neglect/ abandonment, forceful marriages, trafficking, among others, have 195 recorded cases.
The deputy director further explained that many gender-based violence were not reported because of fear of stigmatization, reprisal and lack of confidence in the justice system, as well as ignorance of the law.
So, happy that Plateau State WOWICAN was selected to work with UN Women in the fight against GBV, the Chairperson expressed their determination to embark on the assignment with all seriousness in order to tackle the menace and halt its progression in the state.
She said the recognition and selection to work with the UN women is because of their active participation in women activities, including national WOWICAN, community empowerment programmes, peace initiatives, gender upliftment initiatives, working with women of other faith like the Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations in Nigeria (FOMWAN), among others.
“As a result of our active participation in National WOWICAN and other women activities, Plateau State was among the few states chosen to collaborate with UN Women to bring the fight against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) to the doorsteps of out women.
“We have started stepping down the training with Blocs like CPPN/PFN, CCN and TEKAN/ECWA who have been actively participating and stepping it down to their Blocs.
“We have been working with the Executive Governor of Plateau State, Caleb Mutfwang, who through the Hanourable Commissioner for Women Affairs Honourable Caroline Parlan Dafur and Barrister Olivia Dazyem. We have also been working with traditional rulers who have been working tirelessly to ensure that GBV reduce to the barest minimum Plateau and ensure gender equity.
“At the inception of this government, sixty women from the seventeen (17) Local Government were trained on GBV and we thank the Plateau State Micro Finance Development Agency (PLASMIDA) for their support. Also, we have been involved in Maternal Health and Child health with Medical Women Association of Nigeria (MWAN) Plateau State Chapter to bring advocacy on maternal and child heath,.
“When we came into office in 2024, we observed the precarious shortage of water in some communities within the state, so we put resources together and supplied water to communities who are in dare need of the commodity. We continued this year and we trust God to help us to continue,” she said.
The theme of the convention is “The Role of a Christian Woman in a time like this”, and some persons who have worked and supported WOWICAN in one way or another on their mandate were awarded at convention.
