(News Feature) Peace process needs more spaces for women

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 24): (News Feature) Peace process needs more spaces for women

For more than four decades of venturing toward peace in Mindanao, meaningful engagement of women in this process is fundamental to cause remarkable ripples.

In commemoration of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on women, peace, and security, the “Women and Peace” dialogue, held at Discovery Suites in Ortigas on Thursday, served as a platform to ruminate on the joys, concerns, and struggles faced by women participating in the peace process.

The event was structured under the framework of stressing inclusivity as essential. Women’s participation, in particular, is pivotal to ensure the quality and sustainability of the peace process.

Women are often the most vulnerable in conflict-affected areas in Mindanao. Valuing the experience of these women offers a vital perspective in conflict management, conflict resolution, and peace building.

Spaces for women

During the panel discussion of “Women and Peace”, Government of the Philippines (GPH) Peace Panel Chairperson Miriam Coronel-Ferrer recommended the institutionalization of spaces for women’s engagement in the peace process.

“Open up the spaces for more women (at the peace tables),” said Ferrer.

This is said to ensure that the women’s agenda “would not be left behind” since it would be acknowledged and addressed, and a gender sensitive approach would be prescribed.

Localizing the National Action Plan (NAP)

The NAP has supported the implementation of national mandates on women and gender equality as well as peace and development.

It ensures to empower women and their active and meaningful participation in areas of peacekeeping, peacemaking, peace building, conflict prevention, conflict resolution, and post-conflict reconstruction.

However, Froilyn Mendoza, the representative of the indigenous people in the Bagsamoro Transition Commission (BTC), insisted the need for NAP to be localized.

As the IP’s voice in the BTC, Mendoza suggested to increase the number of women IP representatives.

“We all know that indigenous women are not that well-represented,” she argued.

According to Mendoza, this will ensure that the rights, issues, and concerns of other indigenous groups would be acknowledged and included in the peace agreements, which could eventually shape their lives.

Cultural Sensitivity

Tarbilang Foundation Chairperson Jurma Tikmasan highlighted the importance of cultural sensitivity amid the peace negotiations during the panel discussion.

According to Tikmasan, it is important to acknowledge and respect customary practices while ensuring that these practices are consistent with the international human rights standards.

She cited early marriage as an example of a customary practice that needs to undergo a review for stricter criteria and requirements in allowing or preventing early marriages in cultural practices.

“A requirement for marriage is not just the age. There are also emotional, financial, physical qualifications. You can be physically qualified, but you’re not mentally matured, then you’re not supposed to be marrying anyone yet,” argued Tikmasan.

Women engaged in action

Women empowerment is contagious. Having this widespread acceptance of women’s inclusion will be monumental for women to engage proactively in the peace process, rather than just playing passive roles.

Furthermore, this is not just a matter of empowering women. It is also paramount to reach the full potential of sustainable and lasting peace.

“Women and Peace” is organized by British Embassy Manila, in coordination with Conciliation Resources and four Mindanao-based civil society organizations namely, Nisa Ul-Haqq fi Bangsamoro, Téduray Lambangian Women’s Organization, Inc., United Youth of the Philippines Women, and Women Engaged in Action on 1325.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=807956