System strengthening, especially at the Local Level is key for effective implementation of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 in Plateau State.
The Development of National, State and Local Action Plans that aligns with this Resolution, which seeks to put the issue of Women, Peace and Security in Nigeria is gathering momentum across 3 Local Government Areas of Plateau State.
This initiative came to fruition as Jos South Local Government Area takes the lead in unveiling its Local Action Plan LAP on Women, Peace and Security (2026-2030).
Spearheaded by the Women for Positive Peacebuilding Initiative (WOPPI) in partnership with the Strengthening Peace and Resilience in Nigeria Programme (SPRiNG), with support from the United Kingdom Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (UK FCDO), the LAP is aimed at promoting inclusive peacebuilding at the grassroots.
The well attended event, held at the Jos South LGA Secretariat in Bukuru, according to WOPPI Executive Director, Lantana Abdullahi, the document provides a framework for tracking progress, reporting outcomes, and strengthening women’s participation in peace and security efforts within the local government.
Abdullahi emphasized that the plan aligns with both the Plateau State and national action plans on Women, Peace and Security, adding that it reflects a grassroots-driven approach to ensuring inclusivity across cultural, religious, and social divides.
Representatives of the British High Commission in Abuja, Nina Mason, and that of SPRiNG, Priscilla Anku, said the initiative aims to domesticate national and state policies at the grassroots level, stressing that the initiative is part of broader global efforts to advance women’s role in governance and peacebuilding.
The keynote Speaker, who is also the Chairperson of the Plateau State Gender and Equal Opportunities Commission, Olivia Dazyam,said sustainable peace and development cannot be achieved without women’s participation, adding that the Local Action Plan outlines key pillars such as protection of women’s rights, emergency response mechanisms, and collaboration between government departments and community stakeholders.
Chairman of Jos South Local Government Area, represented by the Deputy Chairman of the Council, Kachollom Micheal, lauded the initiative, underscoring the fact that the LAP will assist in engaging rural women in peace and security activities and assured of the support of the local government to the actualization of activities as contained in the newly launched document.
The event featured the inauguration of the Local Implementation Group (LIG) which is expected to provide leadership, coordination, monitoring and accountability in executing of the action plan across Jos South.
The Jos South LAP (2026–2030) is designed to strengthen women’s participation in peacebuilding, governance, and conflict resolution, while ensuring that policies on gender inclusion translate into tangible outcomes at the community level.
