Plateau State has inaugurated its first State Technical Working Committee on Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) and Conflict-Related Sexual Violence (CRSV), in a move aimed at strengthening institutional coordination, improving survivor support and enhancing efforts to prevent and respond to sexual violence across the state.
The inauguration brings together relevant government institutions, security agencies, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to promote a more coordinated approach to addressing SGBV and CRSV, particularly in a state where the effects of conflict and insecurity have heightened the need for effective protection and survivor-centred response mechanisms.
The initiative was facilitated through a collaborative effort involving the Plateau State Gender and Equal Opportunities Commission (PLASGOC), Women for Positive Peacebuilding Initiative (WOPPI), Nigeria SPRING and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).
The establishment of the committee recognises that preventing sexual and gender-based violence and ensuring appropriate responses to reported cases require more than the efforts of individual institutions. It demands sustained collaboration, clearly defined responsibilities, effective referral systems and accountability among the agencies and organisations mandated to protect affected persons.
Through the committee, stakeholders are expected to strengthen coordination between relevant institutions, improve information-sharing practices and support the development of more effective mechanisms for responding to cases of sexual and gender-based violence and conflict-related sexual violence.
A key priority is the promotion of survivor-centred approaches that place the safety, dignity, privacy and well-being of survivors at the heart of every intervention. This includes ensuring that survivors can access appropriate medical care, psychosocial support, legal assistance, protection services and other forms of assistance through safe and coordinated referral pathways.
The emphasis on confidentiality and responsible information management is particularly important in addressing SGBV and CRSV, as survivors may face stigma, discrimination, intimidation or further harm when their identities and personal information are not adequately protected.
Beyond responding to reported incidents, the committee also provides a platform for strengthening preventive measures, identifying institutional gaps and encouraging a more consistent approach to addressing the underlying factors that contribute to sexual and gender-based violence.
The involvement of government institutions and civil society organisations is expected to facilitate better collaboration between service providers, improve the identification of response gaps and promote a shared understanding of the responsibilities of different actors in supporting survivors.
For Plateau State, the inauguration marks an important step towards building a more structured response framework in which institutions can work together rather than operate in isolation. Its effectiveness, however, will depend on sustained engagement, clear terms of reference, regular coordination, adequate resources and the consistent implementation of agreed actions.
The committee’s inauguration also underscores the importance of ensuring that survivors of sexual violence, including those affected by conflict, can seek assistance without fear of exposure, discrimination or secondary victimisation.
With the inauguration of the State Technical Working Committee, stakeholders have established a platform for advancing a more coordinated, accountable and survivor-centred response to SGBV and CRSV in Plateau State.
The next phase will require translating the inauguration into practical action through stronger institutional collaboration, accessible support services, responsible data management and sustained commitment to protecting the rights and dignity of survivors.
