Bangsamoro women join WE RESOLVE Peace Summit
COTABATO CITY (December 14, 2023) – One hundred twenty (120) Bangsamoro women joined the WE RESOLVE (Women Engaged in Responsive Solution to conflicts and Violence in Mindanao) Peace Summit organized by Relief International in partnership with Balay Mindanaw Foundation with the theme “Tpgether, Women Build Peace” held at Pagana Restaurant on December 11, 2023, this city.
The participants came from Forty (40) barangays of provinces of Maguindanao Del Norte, and Maguindanao Del Sur, and Special Geographic Area (SGA) in Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
This activity recognized the role of women as an important part of the society that contributes in building community of peace in their respective communities. It also aimed at celebrating their accomplishment specially to their efforts in establishing peace and order together with the men.
Ms. Norma Constantino, WE RESOLVE Project Manager of Relief International, said, “What the women doing in their community which builds a community of peace is in a proper direction to women peace agenda of the Bangsamoro government that promotes recognition to women.”
In her message, Vrinda Dar, Relief International Country Director, said, “Women in the Philippines have strong mind and they are willing to make a difference.”
She added, “Women play crucial role in peace building at the community level. They really have the understanding and capabilities and willingness to have their families to live in grow and prosper.”
The organizers were impressed by the active participation of Bangsamoro women in the project that is also supported by German Federal Office across twenty eight (28) Municipalities and with three (3) provinces within three (3) years of engagement.
Ms. Dar further related that they chose BARMM region with a particular interest for many reasons. One of them is seeing the Bangsamoro women taking the path and moving towards peace anchored on the agreement in the government of the Republic of the Philippines.
With that, Dar said they wanted to support the peace process in all means that they can.
She added, “The BARMM region is particularly has economic potential and social dynamics that become positive and can really bring everyone together on the path of peace.”
Dar said their role is to facilitate, support and help people to take the leadership in the peace process.
The Women Peace Summit is also part of celebration of the 75th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
The organizers also recognized the Ministry of Public Order and Safety (MPOS – BARMM) that have been their partner in community engagement in resolving conflicts where the women’s role has been acknoweledged specially in decision making and engaging in settling conflicts. (Nurjanna D. Alijam, BMN/Bangsamoro Today).
