By: Paul Naomi,
The Plateau State Government, may soon become the first to pass the Gender and Equal Opportunities Commission, arising from the GEO Bill passed into Law recently.
The State Government through its Commissioner for Special Duties and Inter-Governmental, and Non-Governmental Organizations, Hon Werr Irmiya, made this disclosure, at a One-Day workshop on ”Engagement Meetings with Key State Actors for the Effective Implementation of the GEO Law and the VAPP Act, under the project of Legal and Social empowerment Program on Women’s Rights in Kaduna and Plateau States.” organized by WRAPA and sponsored by African Women Development Fund (AWDF) , held today, the 17th of December, 2021, at City Lodge Hotel, Jos, Plateau State.
In his remarks during the training, the Commissioner assured the Women’s Rights Advancement and Protection Alternative (WRAPA) that, the establishment of a Gender Commission, is in no distant time.
”The Government of Plateau State is committed to establishing a Gender Commission in no distant time and will ensure that, 90% appointment of this Commission will be given to women because, women are the key for the survival of any nation”, The Commissioner stated.
He also added that, ”The Government will also ensure the participation of women not just in governance, but also in every strata of life.
Mrs. Oluwayemisi Nathaniel, the Senior Executive Officer, Program and Project of WRAPA in her presentation at the workshop, described the Plateau State Government, as a Government that is taking the bull by the horn when it comes to the issue(s) surrounding Gender Equality, by passing the GEO Bill into Law.
”We want to thank the Plateau State Government for being the first in taking the GEO Laws and ensuring that it does not remain stagnant”, She stated.
She also charged the participants in the workshop on the need to step down the issue(s) to the grass roots, in order to create awareness of the agenda, as well as, ensure the participation of local communities in the State.
” In spite of the Laws, women are being violated, we must not get tired of advocacy, the men will come around, and together we can win”! She added.
In an on the spot interview with journalist at the venue the Senior Executive disclosed that, one of the major challenges facing WRAPA is the issue of Funding, and stating that, ”The challenge of most human right advocate or Civil Society Organizations (CSO) is majorly funding. Should funding stop, we cannot jump into a vehicle or plane and say, we are coming to Plateau to come and implement or assist the community or the State CSOs to have a voice in the implementation of every Law.
Other participants at the workshop include: Mrs. Jummai, Mr. Valentine Adese (CEO Reality Newsline), Kanenq Rwang-Pam (ED: KRP FEMA), Representatives from CSOs, Media, Ministry of Justice, Legislators and the State Ministry of Women Affairs.
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