PLASMIDA marks International Women’s Day with the launch of its Mentorship Initiative
The Roundtable Discussion on Gender-Responsive Reform for Private Sector Development and the Launch of the PLASMIDA SHINE Mentorship Initiative, held in commemoration of International Women’s Day (IWD) 2026 at Villa Grande Hotel, brought together key stakeholders, partners, mentors, and participants committed to advancing women’s economic inclusion. The gathering provided a strategic platform to engage, reflect, and take actionable steps toward strengthening women’s participation in the private sector through policy, collaboration, and mentorship.
In his goodwill message, Sunday Dombin, Director of Child Welfare representing the Commissioner for Women Affairs, emphasized the critical role women play in sustaining households and driving economic growth across Plateau State. He further acknowledged ongoing government efforts in promoting women into leadership positions while urging increased support for women’s participation, particularly in politics where representation remains limited. Similarly, Mr. Peter Lambq, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Science and Technology, highlighted the Federal Government’s broader humanitarian interventions aimed at addressing food insecurity and supporting vulnerable populations, stressing the need for transparency, accountability, and collaboration in delivering such initiatives.
In addition, Mr. Stanley, Secretary of the HeForShe Network, speaking on behalf of UN Women and Women, Peace and Security partners, underscored the importance of mainstreaming gender inclusion across all sectors to ensure equal participation in decision-making. He commended PLASMIDA for championing this initiative. In the same vein, Stella Dimlong of GIZ appreciated the collaboration and described the event as a significant milestone, expressing optimism that beneficiaries of the mentorship program would, in turn, become future mentors, thereby sustaining impact.
Delivering the opening address, Hon. Wuyep Bonkam, Director General of PLASMIDA, called for deliberate actions to dismantle systemic barriers limiting women’s economic participation. He highlighted the agency’s commitment to gender-responsive development, referencing policies like the MSME framework which prioritizes women’s inclusion. Consequently, he officially launched the SHINE Mentorship Initiative—Supporting Her Innovation, Networks, and Enterprise—as a structured pathway to empower women through access to knowledge, networks, and opportunities.
Furthermore, the event featured insightful presentations, including a session on Gender-Responsive Reforms for Private Sector Development by Hauwa Mankilik and another on Security Measures for Women-led Business Groups by Miss Felicity Walu. These sessions provided practical knowledge and highlighted key challenges and solutions necessary for creating safer and more inclusive business environments for women.
Building on this, participants engaged in interactive roundtable discussions where they were grouped into clusters such as TVET, entrepreneurs, and other sectors. These discussions were crucial in identifying gaps in existing reforms and proposing actionable strategies to make them more gender-responsive. Such engagements not only encouraged knowledge sharing but also fostered collaboration, ensuring that diverse perspectives contributed to shaping inclusive policies and practices.
Moreover, mentorship and speed mentorship sessions formed a key highlight of the event, offering participants the opportunity to interact directly with experienced mentors. These sessions facilitated meaningful exchanges, guidance, and networking, enabling mentees to gain practical insights, build confidence, and establish valuable professional relationships essential for their growth.
In conclusion, the event successfully combined dialogue, knowledge sharing, and practical engagement to advance the conversation on gender inclusion in private sector development. It not only reinforced the importance of empowering women through policy and mentorship but also laid a solid foundation for sustained collaboration and impact. Ultimately, the launch of the SHINE Mentorship Initiative marks a significant step toward building a more inclusive, resilient, and equitable economic future for women in Plateau State.
