Women Peace Monitor's Swift Action Helps Protect Civilians Amid Conflict
A timely alert from a Women Peace Monitor (WPM) trained by Nonviolent Peaceforce helped strengthen civilian protection and support humanitarian response after renewed armed violence displaced thousands of families in the Bangsamoro region.
Recently, in Cotabato province, tensions escalated among local armed groups, which led to more than 20,000 people fleeing their homes to avoid violence. Over 4,000 families sought refuge in neighboring communities, and makeshift evacuation centers, such as the public courtyard of the village.
As security tensions escalated in one of the towns, Nabalawag, Pia, a Women Peace Monitor and Women Friendly Space Facilitator, reacted quickly to keep people safe. Trained by Nonviolent Peaceforce in unarmed civilian protection, Pia connected to the NP team to let them know there were families who had evacuated to the village courtyard after the violence broke. Because of Pia’s quick response, humanitarian actors and local authorities were alerted about the situation in real time and were able to travel to the evacuated families and provide them with the care they needed, such as tents and sanitation services.
Among those displaced was 58-year-old Noria D. Dagadas, who fled with her family, including her grandchildren, through heavy rain as the fighting moved closer to their community.
"We left our home around seven in the evening while it was raining. The journey was difficult because the tire of our payung payung [motorized tricycle] was flat, but our priority was to bring our grandchildren to safety. We are grateful to have received a modular tent from the Ministry of Social Services and Development, which has given us a safe place to stay despite everything we have been through." -Noria D. Dagadas, Civilian displaced by violence
Today, Noria's family is among more than 100 displaced households staying at the village courtyard. While emergency assistance has provided temporary shelter and restored a measure of dignity, many families continue to face uncertainty. Women, girls, older persons, persons with disabilities, and pregnant and lactating women remain among those most at risk during displacement.
The incident underscores the vital role of Women Peace Monitors in protecting civilians before, during, and after conflict. As trusted members of their communities, they are often the first to identify emerging protection risks, share timely and reliable information, facilitate referrals, and connect affected families with appropriate government institutions, particularly the Ministry of Social Services and Development and other relevant authorities. Their local knowledge and timely reporting enable government responders, local authorities, and humanitarian partners to make faster, more informed decisions that strengthen civilian protection, support timely assistance, and reduce risks for affected communities.
"When conflict threatens our community, every minute matters. As a Women Peace Monitor, I share timely and accurate information so humanitarian responders can better understand the situation and support families at risk. Protecting civilians starts with local people taking action for one another." —Pia Dagandal, Women Peace Monitor, BABAE Project
As the humanitarian situation continues to evolve, UNFPA, Nonviolent Peaceforce, and local partners are strengthening community based protection by placing civilians at the center of humanitarian action. In times of crisis, like these, local civilians and organizations, like the Women Peace Monitors, are the first line of protection. Pia’s swift response demonstrates how Women Peace Monitors are leaning into community-led protection systems to prevent violence and advance women's leadership.
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This story is from Nabalawag, Special Geographic Area (SGA), BARMM. Implemented by Nonviolent Peaceforce (NP) and funded by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) through the generous support of the People of Japan, the BABAE Project empowers women to serve as trusted community protection leaders through Unarmed Civilian Protection (UCP) and Early Warning and Early Response (EWER).