The Bangsamoro Women Commission (BWC), Philippine Center for Islam and Democracy (PCID), and Mindanao State University–Maguindanao (MSU) sign a Tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the creation of Diploma on Women, Peace, and Security Program on March 27, 2024 in Cotabato City. (Michael Camsa/BIO)
COTABATO CITY—Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) is set to launch in August 2024 the Philippines and Asia’s first-ever Diploma on Women, Peace, and Security (DWPS).
DWPS is a two-semester program that aims to produce catalysts, empowered professionals and experts, critical decision makers, and policy influencers on WPS in the Bangsamoro region and beyond.
“This 24-unit post-graduate program spans two (2) academic semesters and offers a unique opportunity to equip both women and men in BARMM and beyond with a deep understanding of the complex issues affecting women,” Mindanao State University-Maguindanao (MSU) posted on its Facebook page.
“It focuses on institutionalizing WPS principles through culturally and gender-sensitive programs, policies, and grassroots initiatives within their communities, agencies, or organizations,” it added.
On March 27 this year, the Bangsamoro Women Commission (BWC), Philippine Center for Islam and Democracy (PCID), and MSU-Maguindanao signed a Tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in this city to offer the diploma program.
BWC Chairperson Bainon Karon stressed that the DWPS is a product of the parties’ concerted efforts to foster and safeguard women’s rights.
“Through this partnership, we commit to a meaningful collaboration—advancing the women, peace, and security agenda—to support and strengthen women peacebuilders, strengthening system mechanisms that promote, advocate for, and support peacebuilding initiatives,” said Karon during the MOU signing, alongside the culmination of Women’s Month.
Karon mentioned that the program is anchored to the Regional Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security (RAPWPS) 2023-2028, a plan that aims to address the various needs of women by championing their protection toward achieving lasting peace and gender equality in the region.
Amina Rasul-Bernardo, President and Co-Founder of the PCID, underlined the relevance of WPS interventions in the lives of Bangsamoro women.
“We, who are in armed conflict areas, know that women bring a lot of value to peace and security,” Bernardo shared, subsequently emphasizing the need to develop the skills of various peacebuilders.
She continued that materializing the DPWS is an accomplishment, which breaks the “patriarchal” connotation and stereotyping about the autonomous region.
Chancellor Bai Hejira Limbona of MSU-Maguindanao further underlined the significance of the diploma program, particularly in the BARMM.
“The great thing about the WPS program that we have is that it involves the Bangsamoro context,” Limbona stated, highlighting the unique feature of the soon-to-be-launched program.
She added that the parties are the ones who initiate and control the localized context of the WPS, which is beneficial to aligning it with the region’s agenda.
Interested applicants shall send their letter of intent to [email protected], addressed to Dr. Princess Sheryn Mamucao, the coordinator of the DWPS.
Promoting inclusive development for women, and sustaining peace and security across the BARMM align with the 11th and 12th priority agenda of Bangsamoro Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim. (Johamin Inok/BIO)
