Daniel Dauda, Jos
Nigerian women were demanding for more inclusion in governance as they claimed being 50% of the country’s population.
They believed Nigeria, despite being a giant of Africa endowed with human and natural resources but unfortunately women are yet to be given their rightful place in all facets of the society.
This was a point of discussion at the opening of a two-day Women’s summit 2024 focusing on women, peace and freedom of Religion and Belief (FORB) in Nigeria, held at Novel suit Hotel, Rayfield, Jos.
Anchoring on the Theme: Empowering voices and advancing women within faith and society”, challenged Women to rise up and break the culture of silence and marginalization, and continue demanding for more inclusion in areas like political, economic, social and cultural sectors.
Habila Mohamed Kudu, Project Officer, Development Initiative of West Africa (DIWA), acknowledged the summit is organized to showcase what the women are doing and encourage them to do more.
“This summit is part of DIWA’s initiatives under the Joint Initiative for Strategic Religious Action (JISRA) project. It aims to create a platform for women to discuss and advance freedom of religion or belief, as well as peacebuilding, particularly as they affect women.
“We are joined today by stakeholders from diverse organizations, government representatives, security actors, and, most importantly, women advocates. These include activists, leaders of various platforms, associations, businesses, and organizations.
“The summit focuses on fostering discussions around hope, peacebuilding, and creating awareness about women’s rights and their inclusion across all sectors of society. In essence, this summit seeks to amplify women’s voices on issues of inclusion, gender equality, and the promotion of peaceful coexistence in our communities”, Kudu added.
Director of planning, research, and statistics Plateau State ministry of women affairs and social development, Sunday Dongbim, revealed the ministry is committed to inclusiveness, especially in combating gender-based violence (GBV), empowering women, and creating awareness across communities.
Dongbim, who represented his commissioner, Carolina Piangwual said Governor Caleb Mutfwang prioritize gender inclusion as he appointed women in strategic positions.
According to him, “this year alone, the ministry defended a budget of ₦1.3 billion for gender-related activities, with numerous programs aimed at empowering women. For the 2025 fiscal year, a budget of ₦2.5 billion has already been defended before the Ministry of Budget and Planning.
“Furthermore, we have trained and empowered 285 women through the Widows College in Mangu and conducted sensitization and awareness campaigns across all 17 local government areas of the state. These efforts have received recognition beyond Plateau State.”
However, the keynote speaker and president national council of women societies Plateau State, Mrs.Celina Ali charged Governments to strengthen legal frameworks to protect women from discrimination and violence, particularly in relation to their religious beliefs.
“Sustainable peace cannot be achieved without the active and equal participation of women in promoting tolerance, dialogue, and understanding across religious divides. Together, let us commit to building a society where every woman, regardless of her faith, can live freely, safely, and with dignity, contributing to a flourishing peace for all”, she concluded.
Daily Champion reports, that the JISRA five years (2021 to 2025) project intervention is being executed by DIWA.