Working for Gender Equality & Conflict Transformation in Mindanao
Women and former combatants each hold vital roles in the process of conflict transformation—especially women former combatants.
These women have the power to lead the way in the journey towards lasting, resilient peace. What these women are often looking for is the space to strengthen their skills on protecting women's rights and preventing violence and conflict affecting women ... and the platform to do so.
Answering this call, NP in the Philippines and UN Women conducted workshops in September with a group of former combatants.
Together, the group (of twice as many women as men!) enhanced their knowledge and skills on how to uphold their rights as a community and as former combatants. The workshop had a focus on women's rights and gender equality in particular.
The participants practiced and made plans on how they could continue to collaborate with one another and with community leaders after the workshop ended.
Not only did the workshop cultivate skills and knowledge, but the relationships with one another that make it possible to resolve conflict nonviolently.
In order for there to be lasting, inclusive peace, women must be involved in conflict prevention and responses. And not just involved, but women must have meaningful participation and be involved in decision making.
After this training, these former combatants—especially the women—are now better equipped to increase their role in advocating for policies in local peace and security initiatives.
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Pssg. Juliet, the Women and Children Protection Desk officer of Tangcal assisted in this activity as she shared and discussed the details of the R.A. 9710 Magna Carta of Women
The workshop, entitled “Training On Gender Equality, Women's Rights, and Practice Of Moderation and Tolerance," was made possible through the Women IMPACT Project (Women ex-combatants Increasing their Meaningful Participants in Advocacy and Conflict Transformation initiatives), funded by UN Women and supporters like you.
Thirty-two people (10 men and 22 women) from Barangays Penud and Biruar of the Municipality of Tangcal, Lanao del Norte participated in the workshop, September 16-18, 2022 at Minkay Beach Resort, Tubigan, Initao, Misamis Oriental.
The participants were former Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF) and Bangsamoro Islamic Women Auxiliary Brigade (BIWAB) combatants of the 125 the Bilal Base Command.