In their commitment to achieve sustainable peace in Plateau State and ensure that Women are empowered and supported to contribute meaningfully to conflict resolution and peace building, the Plateau Peace Building Agency (PPBA) in partnership with GIZ organized a two-day conference meant to prepare women with requisite capacity in conflict resolution, peace building and other key decision making.

The conference which held at Crest Hotel Jos from Thursday 22nd to Friday 23rd April, 2022 brought together women from various communities, religious and ethnic groups had as its theme “enhancing Women Participation in Conflict Resolution, Peace Building and Decision Making at the Grassroot Level”

In his remarks, the Director General of the Plateau Peace Building Agency (PPBA) who was represented by the Director of Administration, Mr. Timothy Gayi hinted that the conference was strategic and aimed at mainstreaming Women in all peace building activities, on issues that concerns peace and security and seeing means of empowering them through capacity building so they can be able to contribute meaningfully to the society as well as seeking ways in which they can be empowered economically, socially and politically.
He disclosed that women are needed in every aspect of peace building as their critical roles cannot be ignored.

According to him, when women are well informed and possesses certain level of economic power and also involved in political activities they can contribute better to peace building activities.
He appreciated the German government through the GIZ for the support given to the Agency’s Peace Core Project which he said is yielding positive results considering the successes recorded.

He said the United Nations Resolution 1325 which was adopted unanimously by the UN Security Council on 31 October 2000. The resolution reaffirms the important role of women in the prevention and resolution of conflicts, peace negotiations, peace-building, peacekeeping, humanitarian response and in post-conflict reconstruction and stresses the importance of their equal participation and full involvement in all efforts for the maintenance and promotion of peace and security.
He said Plateau State saw the need for Women involvement in decision making by enacting the gender law to create a balance for greater engagement of Women to solve conflict issues.

He concluded by saying research has shown that involving Women in peaceful activities tend to yield better result.

Mrs Monica Buenkwap while giving an overview of the event hinted that with the critical roles played by Women and their limited roles in key activities, the engagement is to discuss better ways to improve the involvement of women in decision making, governance process and peace building.

Other activities at the conference were discussions on conflict stage and handling styles in the grassroots, the role of women in conflict prevention, effective communication in conflict, involvement of women in peace building process, exploring the role of grassroots women in early warning and early response, leadership in peace building and experience sharing sessions.

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Plateau Peace Building, GIZ Organizes Conference to Equip Women on Conflict Prevention & Peace Building