By Marie-Therese Nanlong

Jos—DIFFERENT Christian, Muslim and women community groups in Plateau State have pledged commitment to ensuring that the fragile peace in the state is sustained and improved upon to allow meaningful development.

The women groups drawn from three local government areas of Jos North, Mangu and Wase cutting across the three Senatorial zones of the state gave the assurance at the weekend during a one day workshop funded by European Union, EU, with theme: “Promoting Women’s Engagement in Peace and Security in Northern Nigeria.”

They noted that having witnessed the negative effects of violence and insecurity in the state, it was pertinent to work with every stakeholder to ensure that permanent peace was returned to the state for the good of its citizens.

Welcoming the women to the event, Gender Technical Adviser, UN Women, Plateau State, Sewuese Surma, explained that the programme was designed to integrate gender dimension to peace building and conflict resolution processes.

She said the programme also sought to support various initiatives aimed at enhancing the effective implementation of the peace processes.

Also speaking, Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Alice Dimlong represented by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Sumaye Hamza, urged the women to be vigilant in their communities, observe events for early intervention and supervise their children and wards.

She stated that “issues of peace and security such as rape, child trafficking among others which affect women and girl children are happening not only in the State but the entire nation on daily basis” hence the need for the women to be involved in solving them.