Plateau State Deputy Governor, Mrs Josephine Piyo has pledged to partner with the Nigeria Association of Woman Journalists, NAWOJ towards fighting sexual and gender based violence among women and the girl-child in the state.
Piyo gave this indication when the Executive of NAWOJ led by their Chairman, Mrs Nene Dung paid her a courtesy call at the Old Government House, Rayfield in Jos recently.
She acknowledged their contribution to the society, particularly for being the voice of the downtrodden in the society.
Piyo described as worrisome, the number of rape cases and domestic violence being pursued by NAWOJ and assured the association that as the female Deputy Governor, she would collaborate with them to ensure the menace was reduced to the barest minimum. She noted that their success was a success to the womenfolk and the society at large.
The Deputy Governor who maintained that she would support their activities, however promised to assist them as much as she could.
She appreciated them for identifying with the government and called for their continued support in their task of providing governance to the citizens of the state.
Earlier, Plateau State Chairperson of NAWOJ, Mrs Nene Dung had informed the Deputy Governor that the association whose idea of establishment was birthed in the state 24 years ago, to play the role of informing and educating the public, has also delved into issues of sexual and gender based violence in the society.
She described as worrisome the rising cases of rape and domestic violence on the Plateau, noting that they have collaborated with the National Human Rights to seek for justice for those whose rights have been violated.
NAWOJ, she said, believes that now that a female is the Deputy Governor, she should add her voice to theirs by bringing to the fore issues affecting women and children in the state.
She expressed readiness to synergize with the government in different areas, however solicited for assistance with mobility to facilitate their activities as well as the National Delegate Conference coming up next month.
