Members of the women’s sector from the Bangsamoro region attend a three-day Training of Trainers activity in a voter’s education forum at Ateneo de Manila University in Quezon City, organized by Women Engaged in Action (WEAct) 1325 Gaston Z. Ortigas Peace Institute (GZOPI), in partnership with Oxfam Pilipinas, in preparation for the 2025 BARMM elections on April 25-28, 2024. (Datu Norhamidin Mamasainged/BIO)
MANILA—Various members of women sector from the Bangsamoro region participated in the voter’s education forum in preparation for the 2025 BARMM elections held on April 25-28, 2024, at Ateneo de Manila University in Quezon City.
The Women Engaged in Action on UNSCR 1325 (WEAct 1325), Gaston Z. Ortigas Peace Institute (GZOPI), in partnership with Oxfam Pilipinas and other partners under the Women’s Empowerment for Leadership in Development and Peace in the Bangsamoro (WELD Peace) project organized the three-day Training of Trainers activity, which also focused on several topics, principally about women’s empowerment and leadership, for them to effectively assert their rights in public space.
Yasmin Busran Lao, a Consultant at WEAct 1325, a network comprising human rights, peace, and women’s organizations, emphasized in an interview the crucial significance of women’s participation in peacebuilding and political processes, emphasizing that these arenas shape the policies that govern us.
“Very crucial ang understanding ng women in terms of ano ‘yung Bangsamoro election, [and] the feature of Bangsamoro parliamentary form of government, at ano ‘yung gains natin sa electoral code in ensuring that the 30-percent that we want in inclusion in the electoral code will be exercised,” she said.
The consultant is referring to the ‘meaningful political participation’ of women stipulated under Sec. 9 (b), Article 3 of the Bangsamoro Electoral Code, which mandates that each Regional Political Party must nominate 40 nominees, 30% (12 out of 40) of which must be women.
“This does not mean or ensure that women will be elected since the top political parties still determine their top [nominees],” she said ensuring that the supposedly 30-percent quota for women should not be relegated to the bottom; but rather influence political parties to prioritize their inclusion.
Currently, the Bangsamoro Information Office (BIO) is entrusted with institutionalizing the Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) campaign on the provisions of the Bangsamoro Electoral Code (BEC).
According to Atty. Marvi Aniñon, Planning Officer III of BIO, the office is open for collaboration to effectively disseminate important information relevant to the upcoming parliamentary elections.
“Our activities for the Advocacy Campaign on the Parliamentary Elections are in the pipeline for this year and we appreciate all the agencies and organizations expressing their support in these activities through establishing partnership and collaboration with BIO,” she said.
Last Jan. 18, 2024, the BIO, in partnership with the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) and Legal Network for Truthful Elections (LENTE), launched the Bangsamoro Electoral Code (BEC) Handbook as a guide and reference to equip election officials, voters, and concerned stakeholders.
Ms. Jo Genna Jover, a Teduray participant from South Upi, Maguindanao del Sur, representing the Indigenous Women Resource Center from BARMM, shared that the forum plays an important part in the 2025 elections.
“Mahalaga ‘yung aming papel at boses para madala namin ang issues at concern ng aming IP community lalo na ang representation ng kababaihang katutubo dito sa parliament,” she said noting the importance of awareness on voter’s education to their community.
“Gusto naming kababaihang IP na kasama kami sa pag-plano, pag-implement, at pag-monitor, at kabahagi ng kabuuang pangarap ng Bangsamoro Government,” she added.
The Government of the Day sees that the role of women in nation-building is evident by representing various peace interventions under the 11th and 12th priority agenda of Bangsamoro Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim.
Aisah Abas, BIO’s Gender and Development (GAD) focal person, underscored that women’s participation in democratic processes in BARMM opens a door to diverse perspectives among electorates.
“Women’s participation is not just about numbers; it is also about shaping inclusive governance and fostering democratic legitimacy. Their [women] voices are essential for reflecting diverse perspectives and addressing critical policy issues, ensuring governance meets the needs of all citizens,” Abas, who also heads the BIO’s Print Section, said.
“Media plays a crucial role in this by disseminating accurate information, highlighting women’s contributions, and promoting transparency in the electoral process. We, in the BIO, are also committed to helping the Bangsamoro constituents by educating them through public information,” Abas stressed.
The first-ever Parliamentary elections in BARMM in May 2025 serve as a significant milestone in fulfilling the Bangsamoro peace process, specifically the implementation of the political and normalization efforts embodied in the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB). (Datu Norhamidin Mamasainged/BIO)
