Advancing Women’s Economic Inclusion: Highlights from the PLASMIDA SHINE Mentorship Initiative Launch

The commemoration of International Women’s Day (IWD) 2026 was marked by a significant gathering at Villa Grande Hotel, where stakeholders, partners, mentors, and participants convened for a Roundtable Discussion on Gender-Responsive Reform for Private Sector Development alongside the official launch of the PLASMIDA SHINE Mentorship Initiative.

The event served as a purposeful platform for dialogue, reflection, and action, all aimed at enhancing women’s participation in the private sector through strengthened policies, strategic collaboration, and mentorship opportunities. Setting the tone for the discussions, Sunday Dombin, Director of Child Welfare representing the Commissioner for Women Affairs, delivered a goodwill message emphasizing the indispensable role of women in sustaining households and contributing to economic growth across Plateau State. While acknowledging government efforts to promote women into leadership roles, he called for greater support to increase women’s participation, particularly in politics where representation remains low. In a similar vein, Mr. Peter Lamba, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Science and Technology, highlighted ongoing Federal Government interventions addressing food insecurity and supporting vulnerable populations. He stressed the importance of transparency, accountability, and collaboration to ensure the effectiveness of these initiatives.
Adding to these perspectives, Mr. Stanley, Secretary of the HeForShe Network, speaking on behalf of UN Women and Women, Peace and Security partners, emphasized the need to integrate gender inclusion across all sectors to guarantee equal participation in decision-making processes. He also commended PLASMIDA for its leadership in driving this initiative. Likewise, Stella Dimlong of GIZ recognized the strength of the collaboration, describing the event as a milestone and expressing confidence that beneficiaries of the mentorship program would eventually become mentors themselves, thereby sustaining long-term impact.

In his opening address, Hon. Bomkam Ali Wuyep, Director General of PLASMIDA, called for intentional efforts to dismantle systemic barriers that hinder women’s economic advancement. He reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to gender-responsive development, citing frameworks such as the MSME policy that prioritize women’s inclusion. As a major highlight, he officially launched the SHINE Mentorship Initiative—Supporting Her Innovation, Networks, and Enterprise—designed as a structured pathway to empower women by providing access to knowledge, networks, and opportunities.
The event also featured a series of insightful presentations. Hauwa Mankilik delivered a session on Gender-Responsive Reforms for Private Sector Development, while Miss Felicity Walu addressed Security Measures for Women-led Business Groups. Both sessions offered practical insights, shedding light on existing challenges and proposing solutions necessary for fostering safer and more inclusive business environments for women.
Beyond presentations, participants actively engaged in interactive roundtable discussions, organized into clusters such as TVET, entrepreneurs, and other sectors. These group sessions played a critical role in identifying gaps within existing reforms and generating actionable recommendations to enhance gender responsiveness. The collaborative nature of these discussions encouraged knowledge exchange and ensured that diverse perspectives contributed to shaping inclusive policies and practices.
A standout feature of the event was the mentorship and speed mentorship sessions, which provided participants with direct access to experienced mentors.

These interactions enabled meaningful exchanges, offering guidance, building confidence, and fostering valuable professional connections essential for personal and business growth.
Overall, the event effectively blended dialogue, knowledge sharing, and hands-on engagement to advance discussions on gender inclusion within private sector development. It reinforced the importance of empowering women through both policy and mentorship, while also establishing a strong foundation for continued collaboration and impact. The launch of the SHINE Mentorship Initiative ultimately represents a significant step toward fostering a more inclusive, resilient, and equitable economic future for women in Plateau State.