MPOS, UNDP Empower Maguindanao Widows in Peacebuilding Initiative
COTABATO CITY (April 23, 2025) — The Ministry of Public Order and Safety (MPOS), in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), recently concluded a three-day peacebuilding initiative aimed at supporting vulnerable widows in Maguindanao. The event, held from March 23-25 at Pagana Kutawato and Restaurant in Cotabato City, celebrated National Women’s Month and sought to amplify the voices of these women within the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda.
The initiative provided widows with a platform to express their concerns and priorities regarding WPS, allowing them to communicate with various Bangsamoro ministries and agencies. Participants emphasized the need for greater involvement in decision-making processes and highlighted their important role in peacebuilding efforts.
Sittie Janine M. Gamao, Chief of the Peace Education Division at MPOS, acknowledged the perseverance of these women and the importance of supporting them on their journey toward empowerment and healing.
“Women, especially widows experiencing layers of vulnerabilities, play a crucial role in rebuilding communities. Your voices must be heard, and you must be supported in your journey toward healing empowerment,” Gamao said.
Speaking about their current initiatives to help women in crisis-affected regions, UNDP representatives emphasized the importance of inclusive peace initiatives that take into account the concerns of underrepresented communities.
UNDP representatives discussed their ongoing initiatives to assist women in crisis-affected regions, stressing the need for inclusive peace initiatives that account for the concerns of underrepresented communities. Dr. Judith De Guzman from UNDP reinforced this idea, saying, “After observing the sessions and hearing the stories, I believe we should no longer label these women as ‘vulnerable’. Instead, we should recognize them as resilient women.”
Several widows shared their personal experiences and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to connect with others facing similar challenges. One participant remarked, “Ang programang ito ay nag ibigay sa amin ng pag-asa. Ipinapaala sa amin na hindi kami nag-iisa at mayron pa kaming lakas upang muling buuin ang aming buhay, (This program has given us hope. It reminds us that we are not alone and that we still have the strength to rebuild our lives.)”
Various ministries showcased programs that support women and children during presentations from the Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD), the Bangsamoro Women Commission (BWC), the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform (MAFAR), the Ministry of Trade, Investments, and Tourism (MTIT), MPOS, and the Ministry of the Interior and Local Government (MILG). MSSD, BWC, and UNDP also provided food and non-food items to the participants.
This partnership is part of a broader MPOS and UNDP effort to promote social cohesion and lasting peace in the Bangsamoro region by ensuring that vulnerable groups are included in development and decision-making processes. The British Embassy in Manila supports the Advancing Women, Peace, and Security in the BARMM project, which is responsible for implementing this initiative. (USM OJT Student: Amera M. Basalon, BMN/Bangsamoro Today)
