The Plateau State Gender and Equal Opportunities Commission said it has stopped the planned trafficking of 106 persons and has returned 46 others, reuniting them with their families in the past two years.
The Commission also said it has handled 15 cases of child molestation, 5 cases of sale of children, stopped 25 cases of child labour, one case of surrogacy, 155 cases of abandonment of parental responsibility, 17 cases of battery, and one case of organ harvesting.
It further disclosed that out of the aforementioned cases, the Commission has secured 7 convictions.
Chairperson of the Commission, Barr. Olivia Dazyam, made the disclosure while briefing journalists in Jos, the State Capital, in commemoration of the two years establishment of the agency.
She said, “The Plateau State Gender and Equal Opportunities Commission was established by Section 3 of the Gender Equal Opportunities Law, and the Commission has the following key functions: develop policies and frameworks that promote gender equality.
“Investigate gender-related complaints and provide redress.
“Monitor the implementation of gender-focused legislations which prohibit discrimination and promote equality of all persons.
“Conduct gender sensitization and awareness programs at community levels.
“Support victims of sexual and gender-based violence and other forms of discrimination through partnerships with civil society and other relevant organisations,” she explained.
According to her, “In the period under review, the Commission has foiled several incidences of baby sale, while also providing psychosocial support and legal representation for victims of gender-based violence.
“Here is a tabular representation of the cases we have handled so far: Rape 17, Children stopped from trafficking 106, Children returned from trafficking 46, Child molestation 15, Sale of children 5, Children stopped from child labour 25, Surrogacy 1, Abandonment of parental responsibility 155, Battery 17, Convictions 7, and Organ harvesting 1, totalling 395 cases in two years.
“From the table above, you can see that we have a serious matter on our hands that requires collective efforts to tackle.
“Recognising the important role the traditional institution plays as custodians of our culture, the Commission engaged first-class chiefs in the state to intimate them on the issues happening in their domain and how they can use their exalted positions to halt some harmful traditional practices that are inimical to the development of the state,” Dazyam stressed.
“Permit me to say that just yesterday, the Right Honourable Speaker gave assurance of the legislative willingness to work with the Commission to ensure that the issue of women and girls’ inheritance gets legislative backing.
“We are proud to announce to you that this year’s Open Government Partnership report captured the activities of the Commission, earning Governor Caleb Mutfwang an award in Spain for the establishment of the Commission.
“We daresay that the little efforts being put to ensure that the mandate of the Commission is fulfilled are receiving recognition.
“Though it is not yet Uhuru, we call on all Plateau citizens to rise up to the challenge of being their brother’s keeper, where everyone will be mindful of the welfare and well-being of one another.”
