Bangsamoro Women Leaders Advance Peace Leadership

The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and PARTICIPATE BARMM launched the ‘She Wins Peace’ Executive Leadership Program, a transformative initiative aimed at empowering women leaders in governance and peace-building in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

The program, held from November 26 to 30, 2024, at the Century Park Hotel in Manila, brought together 28 women elected officials and leaders from across BARMM. Supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the British Embassy Manila, the Bangsamoro Women Commission (BWC), and the BARMM Ministry of the Interior and Local Government (MILG), the initiative seeks to enhance women’s roles in governance and advocate for sustainable peace.

In a region where women’s voices are often marginalized, the program aimed to equip participants with advocacy strategies, negotiation skills, and frameworks to promote inclusive policies supporting women’s rights.

“Peace is sustainable when women are at the heart of decision-making,” said Pip Morgan, National Security Lead at the UK Embassy in Manila. Morgan reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to supporting women’s rights organizations, preventing conflict-related sexual violence, and advancing women’s participation in peace and security globally.

Participants engaged in interactive workshops, panel discussions, and networking sessions, sharing experiences and strategies to address challenges in governance and peace-building. The program underscored collaboration among women leaders, civil society organizations, and government entities as essential for fostering a resilient and equitable society.

“The ‘She Wins Peace’ program highlights the vital role of women in peace and security. We aim to break down barriers and foster a political culture that embraces inclusivity, equity, and resilience,” said Dr. Julio Teehankee, PARTICIPATE BARMM Chief of Party. He emphasized that the initiative seeks to build a strong foundation for lasting peace in BARMM.

The participation of women leaders from diverse provinces and sectors reflects a collective commitment to a peaceful and prosperous Bangsamoro region. The collaboration of multiple organizations underscores a shared vision of enhancing women’s leadership and advancing peace-building efforts in BARMM.