The Grassroots Researchers Association (GRA) has commenced a two-year project aimed at empowering 200 women in Plateau State to build resilience against climate change and prevent conflicts in their communities.
The project, funded by the United Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF), is designed to equip women with the knowledge and skills to respond to climate-related challenges, promote peaceful coexistence and participate actively in community decision-making.
The executive director of the association, Friday Bitrus, disclosed this during a four-day women-led multi-stakeholder workshop, which commenced at Anglo-Jos community in Plateau State.
He said the workshop would also take place in Angon Rogo, Bukuru and Farin Gada communities, bringing together women, traditional rulers, youth leaders, religious leaders and other stakeholders.
According to him, the project, titled “Empowering Women for Climate Resilience and Conflict Prevention in Plateau State”, commenced on July 1, 2026, and would run until June 3, 2028.
Bitrus explained that women were deliberately selected as the major beneficiaries because they were among the groups most affected by climate-related challenges, particularly in agriculture and other livelihood activities.
He said, “When we talk about vulnerability as a result of climate crisis, we are thinking of women because, in our communities, they are at the receiving end.
“In terms of agriculture and other practices, women are among the populations heavily affected by climate change.
“This project is therefore empowering 200 women across these communities to understand the strategies they can adopt to cope with climate shocks and also ensure their inclusion in decision-making.”
He said the initiative would promote gender-responsive governance from the community level to higher levels of government, while ensuring that women contributed to peace agreements and alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.
The executive director, however, stressed that the project was not exclusively for women, noting that traditional rulers, religious leaders, youth leaders and other community gatekeepers were being engaged to secure their support.
He disclosed that the association had organised an earlier workshop for traditional and community leaders to sensitise them on the objectives of the project and their roles in its implementation.
Bitrus said, “We are not only empowering women. The men, who are the main gatekeepers and decision-makers in the communities, are also part of the project.
“We know that these leaders are important stakeholders, so we need their support and understanding to achieve the objectives of the initiative.”
According to him, 75 stakeholders, comprising 50 women and 25 community leaders, participated in the workshop at Anglo-Jos.
He added that bringing women and community leaders together would encourage collaboration, strengthen inclusive leadership and enable women to contribute their experiences and ideas towards resolving conflicts associated with climate change.
Bitrus expressed optimism that the initiative would strengthen the capacity of women to withstand climate-related shocks and contribute meaningfully to peacebuilding and sustainable development in their communities.
Meanwhile, two beneficiaries of the empowerment programme, Ward Head of Cambai, Davou Chuwak, and Mrs. Joy Dokyap, a woman leader in Jos South community, commended the organisers of the event.
According to the duo, they would return to their respective communities to share what they had learnt, adding that there would be no meaningful development in any society that lacked peace.