COTABATO CITY— Six (6) Bangsamoro women advocates from various sectors in the region were each granted with P20,000.00 and a plaque of honor during the Search for Bangsamoro Advocates 2022 awarding ceremony held in this city on Monday, March 28.
The Search recognizes the great contributions of women in the community, family, and for being a role model to everyone.
It is part of the Women’s Month celebration in the region, spearheaded by the Office of the Chief Minister (OCM), Bangsamoro Women Commission (BWC), and some members of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) Parliament.
To equally represent the different provinces of BARMM, the board of judges included BWC Chairperson Bainon Karon and BTA Deputy Speaker Omar Yasser Sema for Maguindanao, Members of the Parliament (MP) Diamila Ramos and Maisarah Damdamun-Latiph for Lanao del Sur, and MPs Eddie Ali and Raissa Jajurie for the island provinces of Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi.
Advocating education, gender and development (GAD), internally displaced persons (IDPs), children, youth, and environment, the winners were as follows:
- Dr. Anna Zenaida Unte Alonto —known for her being “woman in action”, resilient, and educational reformist. The highlight of her stint in education was at the height of Marawi Siege in May 2017. Her qualities of being resilient, resourceful, and steadfast, and her leadership skills made her be designated as Regional Deputy Focal Person for Humanitarian Response which gave her opportunities to help the displaced teachers and learners.
- Hadja Nabiha Noni Lao from Marawi City — dean of the College of Public Affairs in Mindanao State University, Marawi City. In her retirement, she continued to work as a Civil Society Organization leader and became a Commissioner for Lanao del Sur/Marawi City. She was also engaged in mainstreaming GAD and other women concerns. She firmly believes that there is no peace without women.
- Prof. Dalomabi Bula — one of the prime movers of the Walk for Peace in 2018. She supports the IDPs in fighting for their right to return. She is a member of the Reclaiming Marawi Movement and the Let Me Go Home Movement. She attended several rallies, drafted resolutions, and position papers addressing the needs and clamors of the IDPs.
- Dr. Shahera Lucman — an active advocate of molding and developing children, particularly protecting and safeguarding those with special needs in the community. She was the very first Special Education (SPED) Coordinator to introduce the SPED Program in Marawi City and Lanao Del Sur as a whole.
- Nairah Mindalano Tambir — served as president of Batang Transformers Association of Lanao chapter, vice president for external affairs of Association of Registered Campus Students Organization, vice president of Bangsamoro Young Leaders Program Ranaw, and Secretary and Local Coordinator of United States Grantees Alumni Association-Ranao chapter.
- Shri Tahanie Macaumbao — a staunch advocate of environmental protection and inspired a lot of young people through her various platforms. Her contributions were also recognized by a number of national organizations. She proudly promotes the name of Moro as well its plethora of ecological stories. She is the executive director of UNAWA PH and chief executive officer of Green by Design.
“I am proud that a lot of our women today are working hard to make significant change in their communities while performing domestic roles in their homes,” said BWC Chairperson Karon.
“Women have significant roles in development and governance at all levels. They played critical roles in settling conflict and fostering peace. They greatly contribute to the economy and the labor force,” she added.
Meanwhile for BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim, the National Women’s Month celebration without be complete without recognizing the contribution of the women.
“Today is their time to have the spotlight of appreciation be shone on them. These are just a few of the thousands of very exceptional women who made an immense contribution and are continuously contributing to the development of our society,” Ebrahim said.
“May these winners that we are awarding today be set as role models of our young women and girls of our future,” he added. (Myrna Tepadan/BIO)
