As part of plans to strengthen women’s inclusion and community-led peacebuilding for enhanced access to justice, over 700 indigent detainees have benefited from legal assistance in Niger State.

Making this known 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”.

Accordingly, 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.”

While speaking on the relevance of the launch of the Niger State Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security (SAP-WPS), Okenyodo said: “The document, drafted through extensive stakeholder engagement and validated by over 100 participants from all 25 LGAs, now provides a strategic framework for institutionalising the WPS agenda across Niger State.”

“I stand before you today to reflect on a journey that began with a simple yet powerful vision: that the women of Niger State should be included in peace and security conversations, not only to be heard but to lead.

“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”.

Earlier, Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajia Hadiza Idris Kuta, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Hajia Hadiza Shiru, said the participation of women in decision-making, governance and the political sector is key, and the state governor has proven that in ensuring the 25 LGAs Vice Chairpersons are female.

She added that, 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.”

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 the government at all levels to strengthen local capacity to prevent and respond to sexual and gender-based violence, including conflict-related sexual violence.

Accordingly, she said, “We 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 emphasise 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”.