PLATEAU STATE GENDER COMMISSION TRIANS RELIGIOUS COUNSELLORS ON MEDIATION AND GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE RESPONSE

The Plateau State Gender and Equal Opportunities Commission (PLASGEOC) has organized a one-day capacity-building training for religious counselors aimed at strengthening their knowledge and skills in mediation, counseling, and the prevention and response to Gender-Based Violence (GBV).

The training, themed “Strengthening the Capacity of Religious Counselors in Mediation and Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Response,” brought together religious counselors, faith-based leaders, and stakeholders to deepen their understanding of emerging social challenges and equip them with practical tools for effective intervention.

 The Director of Administration, Mrs. Grace Pam Chuwang, in her welcome remark, encouraged participants to approach the training with an open mind and a willingness to learn, stressing the importance of continuous capacity development for those entrusted with counselling and supporting vulnerable individuals.

Delivering the keynote address, the Chairperson of the Plateau State Gender and Equal Opportunities Commission and Special Adviser to the Governor on Gender Matters, Barr. Olivia Dazyam explained that the training was organized in recognition of the critical role religious institutions play in addressing family and societal challenges.

According to her, religious organizations remain the closest support system for many individuals and families experiencing crises, making it necessary for faith-based institutions to establish functional counselling units staffed by trained professionals.

Barr. Dazyam noted that while spiritual leaders play a vital role in guiding their congregations, not every religious leader is professionally trained to handle complex counselling issues involving couples, children, and young people.

She highlighted some of the disturbing cases encountered by the Commission, ranging from family disputes and divorce to parental neglect, prostitution, and health-related challenges that require professional intervention and guidance.

The Chairperson called on religious organizations to work collectively in addressing these challenges and emphasized the need for compassion, responsibility, and adherence to biblical values, citing 1 Timothy 5:8 as a reminder of the importance of caring for one’s family and community.

She expressed hope that participants would return to their respective organizations better equipped to establish effective counselling structures and make recommendations that would strengthen support systems within their faith communities.

The technical sessions had Dr. Gad Shamaki, who delivered a presentation on the Basic Concepts of Gender. 

Hajiya Lantana Bako, Coordinator  Women Peace and Protection Initiatives, spoke on Implications of Sexual and Gender Based Violence and Barr. Kiyenpiya Mafuyei, PhD, Coordinator of the National Human Rights Commission, Plateau State,  spoke on the Roles of Counsellors in Mediation.

Dr. Shamaki examined issues surrounding gender stereotypes, gender-based violence, discrimination, and the division of responsibilities within families and society. He challenged participants to rethink harmful cultural and religious stereotypes that often place disproportionate burdens on women while excluding them from decision-making processes.

The facilitator further emphasized the importance of gender sensitivity, women’s empowerment, accountability, and community awareness in preventing abuse and inequality. He urged religious leaders to avoid making judgments based on incomplete knowledge and instead seek proper understanding before intervening in sensitive cases.

“Traditional and religious leaders are the moral compass of society,” he said, encouraging participants to promote empathy, protect survivors, report cases of abuse, and discourage harmful practices within their communities.

The second session delivered by Hajiya Lantana Bako, Coordinator of Women Peace and Protection Initiative (WOPPI), spoke on the Implications of SexualGender-Based Violence.

She explained that sexual and gender-based violence affects both women and men, although women and girls remain the most vulnerable. Her presentation covered various forms of abuse, including harassment, intimidation, female genital mutilation, discrimination, sexual exploitation, cyberbullying, marital rape, emotional abuse, and other harmful traditional practices.

Hajiya Bako also highlighted the growing concern over sexual abuse perpetrated by individuals in positions of authority and warned against practices that violate the dignity and rights of victims.

She identified power imbalance, discrimination, and disregard for human rights as some of the root causes of gender-based violence and called for stronger community awareness, engagement of traditional and religious leaders, and continuous training of frontline responders.

The final presentation was delivered by Barr. Kiyenpiya Mafuyei, PhD, Coordinator of the National Human Rights Commission, Plateau State, who spoke on the Roles of Counsellors in Mediation.

Barr. Mafuyei  emphasized that mediation is a voluntary process built on trust, neutrality, confidentiality, and mutual respect. She explained that counsellors and mediators must remain impartial, encourage honest dialogue, and create safe environments where parties can communicate openly without fear of judgment or exposure.

She noted that effective mediation requires active listening, emotional intelligence, and the ability to facilitate constructive communication while protecting the dignity of all parties involved.

According to her, mediators must ensure that their interventions do not cause further harm or trauma, adding that while forgiveness may aid healing, it should never be confused with justice.

The training featured interactive discussions and question-and-answer sessions, during which participants shared experiences and sought clarification on practical counselling and mediation challenges within their religious communities 

PLASGEOC MEDIA