By Princess Simon (Bureau Chief North Central, in Minna)
Over 700 detainees with various degrees of offence have benefitted from legal assistance, courtesy of the Niger state Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security (SAP-WPS) organised by the Niger state Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development in collaboration with Partners West Africa Nigeria (PWAN).
At the official project close out ceremony and launch of the Niger state Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security (SAP-WPS) organised by the Niger state Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development in collaboration with Partners West Africa Nigeria (PWAN), the Executive Director, Rule of Law and Empowerment Initiative, Mrs. Kemi Okenyodo said, “As at today, detainees are rarely held beyond 48 hours without a court order, a testament to real behavioral change in our justice system”.
She said, "We have deployed 14 trained lawyers across seven police divisions in Minna. These lawyers have provided legal assistance to over 700 indigent detainees, ensuring that no one is held unlawfully.”
Speaking on the relevance of the launch of the Niger State Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security (SAP-WPS), Okenyodo further explained that the document drafted through extensive stakeholder engagement and validated by over 100 participants from across all 25 LGAs will now provide strategic framework for institutionalizing the WPS agenda across the state.
She said, “I stand before you today to reflect on a journey that began with a simple yet powerful vision: that the women of Niger state, be included in peace and security conversations, not only to be heard but should lead".
Whike reminding all that, change is inevitable, adding that, "Justice should not be a privilege for the few but a right accessible to all. That peace, to be sustainable, must be built from the ground up, by the communities who know its absence most intimately”.
The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajia Hadiza Idris Kuta, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Hajia Hadiza Shiru had earlier explained that the participation of women in decision-making, governance and political sector is key to even development and the state Governor has proven that by ensuring that Vice Chairpersons of the 25 LGAs.
After the development of the State Action Plan, the Ministry would ensure the implementation and set up a coordinating committee because, the document has become a policy document that drives activities within the state.”
Also in her remarks, the Lead, Gender Equality, Disability and Social inclusion for Strengthening Peace and Resilience in Nigeria (SPRiNG), Amina Akano Bello, said they work with government at all levels to strengthen local capacity to prevent and respond to sexual and gender-based violence, including conflict-related sexual violence.
She further explained that that have empowered communities, we have empowered women-led structures and traditional institutions to be able to identify and respond to human rights violations, including violence against women and girls.
“I have to emphasize that we ensure the full implementation of the Niger State Action Plan for the implementation of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on women's peace and security”. NNL.
