The Women Without
Walls Initiative, a non-governmental organisation based in Jos, the
Plateau State capital has given the Plateau State government a peace
proposal to implement.
The co-ordinator of
the group, Esther Ibanga, explained that they are united with a vision
“to develop a non-violent, creative and inclusive approach for conflict
resolution and transformation in Nigeria, through women.”
“We note with deep
dismay that despite concerted efforts of the state authorities to curb
violence and bloodshed, the trend of killings have continued, with
women and children being the major casualties of this regime of
violence and wanton killing,” Mrs Ibanga said.
The coalition also
condemned emergent sociological patterns in Jos following the crisis
despite the apparent desire by the different groups to live together in
Plateau.
“Jos and its
environs have become largely, and increasingly polarised along
ethno-religious lines amidst a climate of fear and mutual suspicion,”
she said. “Voices of peace, forgiveness, tolerance, and love continue
to sound out above the under-currents of hatred, reprisals, and
instigating words and actions.” The group said it is working to ensure
that “all women on the Plateau work tirelessly as ambassadors of peace
in their respective homes, localities, faith and ethnic communities by
diffusing tension and assuaging wounds.”
Effective security operation
The women also said
that the state governor should ensure a fair and competent functioning
of ‘Operation Rainbow’, an emergent security formation, for effective
community and inter-border policing. They also called on security
agencies, especially the task force in the city, to carry out their
activities with fairness.
“The STF should
discharge its duties with the fear of Almighty God who created human
life and who has assigned the sacred responsibility to safeguard it,”
Mrs Ibanga said.
“We call on all segments of the society to co-operate with the
government and security forces to guarantee adequate security for all
in the common interest. We want the security agents to trace and arrest
instigators, sponsors, and perpetrators of violence in a manner that is
just, transparent, and commensurate with crimes committed.” She
concluded
