Jos, Plateau State – September 23, 2025
The Women for Positive Peace Building Initiative (WOPPI), in collaboration with SPRiNG and supported by the UK International Development (FCDO) and Nextier, has launched a new project aimed at strengthening women’s protection and leadership in Plateau State. The launch, held on Tuesday at Fox Hotel, brought together government officials, traditional rulers, civil society organizations, and community leaders.
Convener and founder of WOPPI, Mrs. Lantana Bako Abdullahi, described the initiative as a strategic intervention to amplify women’s voices in governance, peacebuilding, and development.
“We are here today to launch a project called Strengthening Women’s Protection and Leadership in Plateau State. This project is funded by the SPRiNG Programme and supported by FCDO. It will focus on three target LGAs – Jos South, Mangu, and Wase – where we intend to work closely with local leaders, government officials, and other critical stakeholders to ensure sustainability,” she said.
Lantana emphasized that women’s participation in governance and peace processes is not optional but essential. “We want to make sure that issues of women and girls are at the forefront of governance and development, with inclusion, budgeting, and policy commitment to women, peace, and security,” she added.
The project seeks to promote the effective implementation of the Plateau State 3rd Generation State Action Plan (SAP) on Women, Peace and Security (WPS), while also supporting the development of Local Action Plans (LAPs) in the three focus LGAs. Key activities include capacity building, stakeholder workshops, awareness campaigns, and grassroots consultations.
In her keynote address, Mrs. Kyenpia Mafuyai, Head of the Women’s Rights Commission, highlighted the disproportionate impact of conflict on women. She noted that sociocultural barriers have silenced women’s voices in decision-making, urging stronger measures for inclusion. “Conflict is gendered. Women and girls suffer differently, often through displacement, sexual violence, and economic marginalization. To rebuild communities, women must be involved in shaping solutions,” she said.
Dr. Emmanuel Ande, another keynote speaker, underscored the importance of not just women’s presence in leadership spaces, but also their influence. “Inclusion is not about presence alone, but about voice. We must go beyond tokenism and ensure that women lead as chairpersons, governors, and decision-makers, not just deputies,” he stated.
Representatives from SPRiNG, Nextier, and FCDO reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the project. SPRiNG’s representative, Mr. Sitdung Mujidang, noted that the program will run until March 2026 with the possibility of scaling up. Similarly, Mr. Bernard Basson of Nextier emphasized the significance of addressing structural barriers that limit women’s political and social participation.
The Emir of Wase, HRH Muhammad Sambo Haruna, who serves as chairman of WOPPI’s board of trustees, pledged the support of the traditional institution. He called on religious and community leaders to actively promote peace and inclusivity, stressing that “lasting change requires partnership between cultural and faith leaders.”
Plateau State has grappled with recurrent violence, land disputes, and insecurity, with women and girls bearing the brunt of these crises. The WOPPI project is expected to provide a coordinated response by building capacity, fostering dialogue, and ensuring gender-sensitive policies are effectively implemented across the state.