A Non Governmental Organisation (NGO), Christian Women for Excellence and Empowerment in Nigeria (CWEENS), has empowered 1,000 women and established girls clubs in eight schools in Plateau.
Mrs Comfort Zawaya, the Project Officer of CWEENS, who made this disclosure on Friday in Jos, identified the club as Girls Empowerment Mainstream (GEM).
Zawaya spoke at a meeting between the National Association of Peace, Gender Practitioners in Media, Plateau chapter, and security agencies.
According to Zawaya, the NGO is an implementing partner for the UN programme in Plateau with a focus: ‘Promoting Women’s Engagement in Peace and Security in Northern Nigeria’.
She said the organisation had empowered women through skills acquisition in Mangu and Riyom Local Government Areas of the state.
“The empowerment propelled them to establish cooperative societies to help set up their businesses and we have also trained 400 rural women in conflict management, leadership and public speaking skills.
“The training and establishment of the GEM club is to empower them participate effectively in peace building processes in their various communities,’’ she said.
Mr Katdaba Gobum, one of the patrons of the media association, tasked security agencies on access to information to ensure credible news reports in order to avoid dissemination of distorted and speculative news.
Also, Mrs Niri Goyit, the Plateau State Project Coordinator for Search for Common Ground, said the media was critical in promoting peaceful coexistence and resolution of conflicts.
Goyit said the organisation had a Hausa programme being transmitted by the state television and radio stations.
“We have a television programme called, “Za mu iya,’’ a programme that engages stakeholders, especially rural women to strengthen their capacities to prevent, address and respond to conflicts and violence,” she said.
NAN recalls that the media network was inaugurated three years ago by the UN to strengthen sensitisation on gender related issues and engagement of women in security and peace building processes.
Security agencies, that attended the meeting, promised to strengthen their relationships with the media
