BARMM Gender and Development focal persons during the launch of the 2nd BARMM Regional Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security (RAPWPS) 2023-2028, on October 5, 2023, at the Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Complex (SKCC), Bangsamoro Government Center, in Cotabato City.
DAVAO CITY—Third Party Monitoring Team (TPMT) Chairperson Heino Marius underscored on Nov. 23, the pivotal role of women in the success of the Bangsamoro peace process.
This was emphasized during the TPMT’s 8th Public Report Release, which aims to inform the public about the progress of the Government of the Philippines-Moro Islamic Liberation Front (GPH-MILF) peace agreements, sharing the accords’ updates from February 2022 to October 2023.
The TPMT is an independent entity that monitors, reviews, and assesses all the signed agreements between the National Government and the MILF.
Marius stated that Bangsamoro women are among the significant key players who uphold peace in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), making the agreements of both parties a triumph.
“There are more positive elements that deserve our appreciation. Women play a very active role in the peace process, including in leading roles in the Bangsamoro Parliament and through the work of the Bangsamoro Women Commission,” the chairperson stressed.
Rebecca Tañada, TPMT Member and Gaston Z. Ortigas Peace Institute (GZOPI) Executive Director, said that the high quality of participation, especially in the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) Parliament, paves the way to empowering more Bangsamoro women leaders.
On the other hand, she noted that support for strengthening women’s representation in other aspects of the peace process shall be pursued further, saying, “There are some mechanisms lacking women.” She also mentioned the need to develop a Gender and Development Code.
Tañada then highlighted that the efforts in bringing Bangsamoro women to the forefront of BARMM’s development opened the doors to launching the 2nd BARMM Regional Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security (RAPWPS) 2023-2028, through the BWC.
The RAPWPS is a 6-year plan that aims to address the various needs of women by promoting their protection toward achieving long-term peace and gender equality in the Bangsamoro region.
On Oct. 5, BWC Chairperson Bainon Karon underlined the relevant contributions of women in charting the pathways toward an empowered, cohesive, and progressive Bangsamoro.
“There can be no genuine, just, and sustainable peace and development without the meaningful inclusion and participation of women in conflict prevention, peacebuilding, and governance in the region,” Karon stated during the launch of the RAPWPS.
Improving peace across the BARMM and promoting the self-sustaining inclusive development of women are in accordance with the 11th and 12th priorities under the Enhanced 12-Point Priority Agenda of Bangsamoro Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim. (Johamin Inok/BIO)
