From Paul Orude, Bauchi
Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State on Tuesday launched the state action plan on women, peace and security.
The action plan was initiated by the UN Women, Norwegian embassy and International alert to address violence against women in the state.
It was recently validated by the state Ministry of Women Affairs and all recognised women groups in the state and forwarded to the state government for implementation.
While launching the action plan, Governor Mohammed lamented that women were being abused, raped and molested as some societal norms hinder their socio-economic and political development.
He said his administration is considerate of women noting that it has appointed them to head several agencies and ministries.
According to him, the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) law recently passed into law by the Bauchi State House of Assembly will also be domesticated and implemented soon in the state to tackle human rights violation.
‘Women are very reliable, defendable and trustworthy. I have seen that in my wife. I want to assure women that we are always there for you,’ he said.
Also speaking, the Country Representative of UN Women, Mrs Comfort Lamptey, explained that 12 states in Nigeria have so far drafted action plans on women peace and security saying UN women and their partners are committed to improving the plights of women in the nation.
She appealed to their male counterparts to provide an enabling environment for women to develop and harness their potentials.
