The Imo State Government has announced the completion of the ‘Women, Peace and Security (WPS) State Action Plan’, designed to strengthen women’s participation in peacebuilding, governance, conflict prevention and security in the state.

Speaking at the pre-launch press conference on the framework in Owerri, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Lady Nkechinyere Ugwu, said the Action Plan, “marks a significant milestone in the state’s commitment to building a peaceful, inclusive and resilient society.”

According to Ugwu, “the Action Plan is the first of its kind in Imo State and among the pioneering frameworks in the South-East, designed to provide a comprehensive roadmap for increasing women’s participation in peacebuilding, governance and decision-making, strengthening protection against gender-based violence, preventing conflict and improving access to justice.”

She explained that the document was developed through extensive consultations involving ministries, departments and agencies, security institutions, the judiciary, civil society organizations, traditional and religious leaders, academia, women and youth groups, with technical support from the Alliance for Africa (AFA).

“The Action Plan is not merely a policy document; it is a call to action. It is a collective pledge to ensure that women and girls are recognised not only as beneficiaries of peace but also as leaders, mediators, decision-makers and active partners in shaping the future of Imo State,” the commissioner said.

She added that the framework aligns with the United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325 and other global commitments while addressing the peculiar security challenges and development priorities of the state.

The Commissioner called on government institutions, development partners, civil society organizations and community leaders to support the implementation of the Action Plan, describing it as the beginning of a new chapter in advancing peace, security and sustainable development in Imo State.

Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Mr. Okeoma Godson, described the pre-launch as a historic achievement, noting that Imo State has distinguished itself as the only state in the South-East with the Plan covering 2025–2029.

Okeoma commended the consultant, Mrs. Amy Adekunle, the Alliances for Africa and other development partners for their support in producing the document. He also appreciated the Imo First Lady, Barr. Chioma Uzodinma for her commitment to the initiative, saying her support was instrumental to its success.

According to him, “the Women, Peace and Security Agenda is built on the five pillars of the UN Security Council Resolution 1325—participation, protection, prevention, relief and recovery—and seeks to address the disproportionate impact of conflict and insecurity on women and girls while promoting their role in peacebuilding.”

Also speaking, AfA Programmes Director, Mrs. Blessing Duru, said the drafting and validation processes deliberately recognized the importance of culture in policy development, leading to extensive consultations and statewide engagements that ensured the document reflected local realities and enjoyed broad-based ownership.

Duru disclosed that a Reporting Committee as well as a Monitoring and Implementation Committee had already been established to drive effective implementation of the Action Plan in collaboration with relevant stakeholders.

Other stakeholders who spoke on the framework, including a former member of the state House of Assembly, Amb. Uju Onwudiwe expressed confidence that effective execution of the framework would complement existing legal instruments, including the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law, in advancing gender equity, strengthening protection for vulnerable groups, and promoting lasting peace and social inclusion across Imo State.