Voices of women and children heard: Wanfatma Marrack

Interview with Wanfatma "Fatma" Marrack, National Civilian Peacekeeper in the Philippines.

Wanfatma “Fatma” Marrack is a mother of six. She has been a national civilian peacekeeper (NCP) for NP’s child protection program in Sulu since 2011. As a mother, the work of protecting children strongly resonates with her. She believes that people “need to protect children” and that “every community needs to be aware so that violations against children will be lessened.” Fatma said that being a mother herself has made her understand her work better.

Challenges of working alone 

Covering six municipalities in her native province of Sulu by herself is no mean feat. Fatma said that with kidnapping cases on the rise, she needs to take care of her personal safety and proceed with caution. This hasn’t deterred her from carrying out her work as a national civilian peacekeeper. She said that even if it’s risky she tries her hardest to reach the communities. Fatma does verifications to the very best of her ability and pushes herself as far as she can go.

Fatma stressed the importance of working with local partners and the barangay (district) officials. In proceeding with her work she listens to local partners’ warnings, takes precautionary measures and asks for assistance from local officials like the barangay captain (head elected official).

She stated that being a woman in her line of work helps. She said that people in the community tend to listen to her more. At times there can be an initial negative response from the community but she holds steadfast in her “certain gentle way of dealing with people.” This makes people liken her to “a mother talking to her children in a calm manner.” In all of these experiences, aside from her love and commitment to her work, her empowerment comes from being able to empathize with the people she talks to.

Peacebuilder for women and children

Fatma was originally working for NP’s partner organization Tulung Lupah Sug Inc. (Help the People of Sulu) before she joined NP. Her past experience working for a non-governmental organization (NGO) in the area prepared her to be a national civilian peacekeeper. Her previous job enabled her to work on “rido* mediations and peace advocacy work.” This was the cornerstone that allowed her to continue her work as a peace-builder in the area.

In the course of her work Fatma gives community orientations on the Monitoring and Reporting Mechanism (MRM) of six Grave Child Rights Violations (GCRVs). During these orientations she listens to the voices of women, children and those who don’t usually have a chance to speak up. The group discussions give religious leaders, teachers and traditional leaders the chance to share their experiences. Fatma said one of the most important aspects of her job is being able to listen to these women and children talking about their concerns. This active involvement with the community gives her the “extra push to work harder.”

NP’s role, facing adversities and finding balance 

Fatma said that NP’s awareness raising has been a big factor for children being better protected in the community. NP’s mandate of protecting civilians and running orientations has contributed to preventing GCRVs. To her NP’s work in the province is critical because of its focus on child protection.

Operating in Sulu can be an uphill battle because communities occasionally have initial doubts about NGOs. Working in remote areas can be trying but Fatma prays and keeps her faith to overcome the challenges. She also maintains balance by going back to being a mother and spending time with her children on the weekends.

Being a mother is at the very core of Fatma’s work as a peacekeeper. She said that “as a mother it is your instinct to protect your children and that kind of care you apply to other children because they are the most vulnerable.” She may be a peacekeeper but this role is only second to her being a mother. She is working to protect her own children’s future as well as the future of the children in her community.

*Type of conflict in the Phillipines between families, kinship groups or communities.