The Chairperson of the Plateau State Gender and Equal Opportunities Commission, Barr. Olivia Dazyam, has emphasized the importance of inclusive stakeholder participation in shaping effective frameworks to address gender-related issues and promote justice across the state.
Dazyam, who is also the Special Adviser to the Executive Governor on Gender and was represented by the Director of public Complains and Mediation, Dorcas Bawa, made this known during a critical stakeholders’ meeting on the review and validation of the Commission’s draft Standard Operating Manual (SOP), Mediation Protocol, and Guidelines. The meeting was held at the Community Social Development Agency (CSDA) Hall along Rayfield Road in Jos.
She described the engagement as a strategic and participatory process aimed at developing practical, culturally relevant, and impactful operational tools for the Commission.
According to her, the Commission’s mandate is to promote and protect the rights of all persons—particularly women, children, and vulnerable groups—while ensuring fairness, equity, and justice in Plateau State.
“These draft documents are not final products but working tools that require your critical input, insights, and experiences,” she stated, noting that stakeholder contributions would help identify gaps, strengthen accountability, and align the frameworks with national and international best practices.
Dazyam stressed that the documents—including the SOP, Mediation Protocol, and Guidelines—are designed to guide the Commission’s daily operations, dispute resolution processes, and overall service delivery, adding that sustainability and collaboration remain key to their success.
Nene Dung, the Commission’s Director of Media and Investigations, provided further insight into the draft documents, highlighting the structure and operational framework of the Commission.
She explained that the Plateau State Gender and Equal Opportunities Commission operates through key departments working collaboratively under the leadership of the Director General to effectively deliver its mandate.
Dung noted that the Commission was established under Section 3 of the Plateau State Gender and Equal Opportunities Law of 2015, enacted during the administration of former Governor Jonah David Jang.
She added that the Standard Operating Manual clearly outlines the roles and responsibilities of core departments, ensuring coordinated implementation of policies and interventions.
Stakeholders at the meeting commended the initiative while offering recommendations to strengthen the proposed frameworks.
Executive Director of the Integrated Community Development Initiative, Fatima Suleiman, described the SOP as the backbone of the Commission, stressing the need for a strong governance structure, including the establishment of a governing council.
She highlighted the importance of integrating social workers into gender-based violence response systems, developing comprehensive communication strategies, and establishing formal partnerships with shelters and other service providers.
Suleiman also emphasized the need for proper data management, monitoring mechanisms, and inter-agency collaboration involving ministries, civil society organizations, and community stakeholders.
Similarly, Prince Charles Dickson of the Tattaaunawa Roundtable Initiative noted that the stakeholder-driven approach would help eliminate gaps commonly found in policy documents developed without adequate consultation.
He described the process as commendable, adding that the frameworks would evolve into policy statements, implementation plans, and organizational protocols that would guide both internal operations and external engagements.
Dickson further underscored the importance of mediation protocols in addressing disputes in Plateau State, given its diverse cultural landscape and complex conflict dynamics.
In her remarks, Ambassador Bridget Dakyes, State Coordinator for the Women, Peace and Security Network,, stressed the need for alignment between the Commission’s operational manuals and existing organizational policies such as safeguarding, gender, and child protection policies.
She called for improved documentation, structured feedback mechanisms, and formalized partnerships with shelters to ensure accountability in handling cases involving vulnerable individuals.
Dakyes also highlighted the importance of written correspondence and proper record-keeping, noting that documentation is essential for tracking cases, ensuring transparency, and supporting justice processes.
Also speaking, Amb. Vivien Abara, State Coordinator of the Network Against Child Trafficking, Abuse and Labour, described the initiative as a collective effort, stressing that stakeholders must work together to safeguard vulnerable populations and strengthen response systems.
She raised concerns about gaps in the draft documents, particularly in addressing the needs of persons with disabilities (PWDs), recounting field experiences where trafficked victims with speech and hearing impairments were difficult to assist due to communication barriers.
Abara called for the establishment of dedicated inclusion units within the Commission, accessible facilities, and improved shelter protocols that cater to persons with disabilities, noting that such groups remain among the most vulnerable and often unheard.
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to refining the draft documents to ensure they are practical, inclusive, and responsive to the realities on the ground.
Participants agreed that sustained collaboration, data-driven interventions, and continuous review would be essential to achieving the Commission’s goal of delivering quality services and promoting a just, equitable, and inclusive society in Plateau State.
