By Naanpoe Kwaplong
In commemoration of International Women’s Day, the Plateau State Microfinance Development Agency (PLAMIDA), in partnership with the GIZ Sustainable Economic Development Cluster (SEDEC), has launched the Supporting Her Innovation Network Enterprise (SHINE) Mentorship Programme in Jos.
Unveiled at a high-level roundtable on private sector reforms, the programme aims to unlock opportunities for women and accelerate their journey toward sustainable success.
The SHINE mentorship program’s first phase for the next three months will provide a structured and intentional pathway for mentees to navigate the entrepreneurship ecosystem and the evolving labor market
The Director-General of PLAMIDA, Bomkam Wuyep, noted that this year’s International Women’s Day theme tagged gain to give is a call for urgent action to eliminate structural biases that restrict the full participation of women.
He maintained that the programme is designed to balance the scales, ensure inclusivity, and promote fairness for all.
The DG added that the scheme aligns with existing policies and frameworks of the Plateau State Government, reinforcing its commitment to gender-responsive governance and inclusive development.
He said it also reflects a broader vision of building a society where everyone, regardless of gender, has equal access to opportunities and resources.
He observed that systemic biases continue to affect women, noting that the SHINE programme will provide mentorship, facilitate knowledge transfer, and expand access to opportunities for women across both the private and public sectors.
He urged mentees to see the opportunity as a transformative platform that will enable them to develop solutions capable of positively impacting their communities.
In a presentation, the GIZ ,SEDEC , facilitator, Hauwa Mankilik, emphasized the need to sustain efforts toward responsive reforms that will enable women to fully participate in and benefit from economic opportunities.
She added that the private sector remains the driving force of economic growth, and supporting women is not just a social goal, but an economic necessity.
Earlier, in a welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Science and Technology, Plateau State, Mr. Peter Lamba, expressed optimism that the communiqué from the roundtable would reflect and advance the rights of women.
Some of the mentees expressed confidence that the programme would significantly impact the success of women entrepreneurs.
At the end of the roundtable a communiqué was adopted.
Edited by Karen keyen
About The Author
