COTABATO CITY—With the end goal of institutionalizing gender lens in programming and planning of women and youth-led organizations across the region, the Bangsamoro Government and international partners are holding a series of gender mainstreaming orientations-education campaigns.
The Bangsamoro Youth Commission (BYC), Bangsamoro Women Commission (BWC), United Nations (UN)-Women, and the Norwegian Government are collaborating to bring the orientation-education to youth organizations with special focus on Coronavirus Disease (Covid-19) pandemic.
BYC chairperson Marjanie Macasalong said one of the main goals of the orientation is to increase the knowledge of youth organizations in gender perspective programming and planning in the context of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) in times of the pandemic.
The Bangsamoro Government’s efforts, according to Macasalong, will greatly affect women in the future, especially now that the regional government is still on transition.
“I hope marami kayong napulot sa discussions natin on integrating gender mainstreaming sa sari-sarili ninyong plans and programs, at kung paano tayo makakapagplano ng gender-responsive programs, projects, and activities,” Macasalong said.
Macasalong added that working together and empowering the youth will make the efforts of the government with a more meaningful impact to the grassroots community.
Some 40 women leaders from Cotabato City, Maguindanao, and North Cotabato participated in the first cluster of orientation on Dec. 1 to 6, in Lake Sebu, South Cotabato.
Roslainie Mamalaguia, a participant-facilitator from Union of Muslim Youth Organizations (UMYO), said the orientation is an effective strategy to empower and enlighten women youth leaders in peacebuilding initiatives.
“This is very significant to educate the […] organizations about Gender and Development policies that promote gender sensitive services,” Mamalaguia added.
The UMYO and Pilumbayan, Inc. served as partner facilitators in the orientation.
The participants drafted an action plan on planning for Covid-19 mitigation and response with women, peace, and security elements.
Similar orientations for youth organizations in Lanao del Sur and three other island provinces of Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi are set to be held in February and March 2021. (Bureau of Public Information)
