IWD 2025: Plateau Gov’t, EU-IDEA Lead Efforts To Tackle GBV

The Plateau State Government, in collaboration with the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) under the EU-funded Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) Programme Phase II, has marked International Women’s Day (IWD) 2025 with a series of impactful activities aimed at promoting gender equality and combating sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), workplace discrimination, and child trafficking.

This year’s theme, “Accelerate Action,” brought together government officials, civil society organisations, religious and traditional leaders, and community members to discuss and reinforce policies that protect women, children, and other vulnerable groups.

The event began with a sensitisation walk through key locations in Jos, where participants carried placards and distributed Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials to highlight women’s rights and the importance of stronger protections against violence. The march aimed to mobilize public support for gender equality and encourage collective efforts to address gender-based issues.

Speaking during the walk, commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Caroline Dafur emphasised the need for a unified approach to eliminating SGBV and discrimination in Plateau State.

“Women and children remain some of the most vulnerable groups in our society. We must all work together to accelerate action, ensuring that they receive the protection and support they need,” she stated.

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Following the awareness walk, a stakeholder symposium was held to discuss critical issues affecting women’s rights, gender-based violence, and workplace discrimination.

The panel featured representatives from the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, the Gender and Equal Opportunities Commission, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Justice, and key civil society actors.

Discussions centered on: Strengthening institutional responses to SGBV, Enhancing policy reforms for gender equality, Expanding support systems for survivors, Increasing legal aid services, Raising public awareness about reporting mechanisms for abuse and violence.

A major takeaway from the symposium was the collective commitment from government agencies and civil society organizations to intensify efforts in addressing gender-based violence and improving access to justice for survivors.

Also, RoLAC State Coordinator, Pwankei Dala, reiterated International IDEA’s dedication to gender equality through policy advocacy, capacity building, and community engagement.

“International IDEA, through the RoLAC Programme, remains committed to ensuring that women and vulnerable groups have access to justice and protection against violence. The #AccelerateAction theme is a call for all stakeholders to take deliberate steps in addressing these pressing issues,” he said.