Women peace advocates coming from the academe, Muslim communities, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), youth group, and local government units, gathered in a workshop aimed to harmonize and enhance their initiatives to help rebuild the strained relationship among Zamboangaňos brought by the recent crisis in Zamboanga City.
After the Zamboanga siege which lasted from September 8 to 29, 2013, peace advocates have been disturbed by the “wall of animosity” existing between the Muslims and Christians constituents of the city created by the distressing incident.
More than forty participants coming from Zamboanga City, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-tawi (ZambaSulTa) joined the activity entitled “Women Taking Action to Rebuild Divided Communities” held at Garden Orchid Hotel in Zamboanga City on December 28, 2013.
The undertaking, funded by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), was facilitated by the Philippine Center for Islam and Democracy (PCID) with Magbassa Kita Foundation, Inc (MKFI).
It was a follow through activity of the November 18 ZambaSulTa Round Table Discussion (RTD) attended by the same delegates.
The participants deepened their discussion on the aftermath of the Zamboanga crisis and outlined their plan of action integrating gender perspectives in post-crisis reconstruction that amplify women’s voices and harnessed women’s leadership and skills in healing, early recovery and in reaching out across the divides.
They crafted their plan of action applying the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Frame which has four pillars namely: Protection and Prevention; Empowerment and Participation; Promotion and Mainstreaming; and Monitoring.
Among the plans that surfaced included: advocacy on human rights and peace-building; information drive on gender-based violence and sexually transmitted infection; health education & medical missions; peace advocacy among youth thru arts; and gender needs assess among the displaced women.
They also considered feeding program among the children and elderly, monitoring the livelihood activities of the IDPs, and peer education inside evacuation camps.
During the ZamBaSulTa RTD, the participants pointed out the importance of human rights monitoring and restoration and rehabilitation of domiciles. They also stressed that rehabilitation must be participatory, gender responsive and culturally-sensitive and peacebuilding must be initiated including engagement of the youth.
The participants also saw the need in strengthening local coordination of the NGOs and concerned government agencies and the development of Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Models.
They further urged the media to be non-divisive in reportage and determine the effectivity of Bantay Bayanihan when conflict occurs.
Prominent Mindanaoan artists Ramir Tawasil, Kublai Millan and Toym Imao were present in event sharing their inputs on rebuilding and healing communities through arts. They also informed the plenary on the plan to build “Peace Monument” in the city to help heal the wounds of the crisis. The participants appreciated the idea and signed a statement of support to the initiative.
PCID President Amina Rasul urged all concerned stakeholders to help in the restoration of relationship among Zamboangaňos brought by the skirmish and continue providing attention to the plight of women and children who were worst hit by the 21-day stand-off.
She added more efforts are needed to bring back harmony and unity among the people of Zamboanga and stressed its importance in the economic recovery of the city.
Rasul said the PCID calls on the resumption of the GPH-MNLF Tri-partite Review being brokered by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and investigate the feasibility of broadening the agenda ot include measures to avoid a repeat of the Zamboanga crisis and improve living conditions of MNLF communities.
The Zamboanga crisis arose after the armed confrontation between the MNLF and government troops following the alleged attempt of the revolutionary group to raise their flag and hold peace rally in front of the city hall.
The incident resulted to the displacement of more than a hundred thousand affected constituents, killing of more than a hundred persons coming from both sides and civilians and burning of houses.
International humanitarian agencies, local government units, line agencies of the government, local organizations, and concerned individuals poured in their resources for the IDPs in the evacuation camps.
Although the needs for food, water and medicine are addressed, many of the IDPs complain of smelly and muddy surrounding after the rain, intense heat on sunny days, and too crowded in small tents in evacuation camps.
The activity is in support to United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 which calls on all parties in conflict to adopt a gender perspective that include special needs of women and girls in repatriation and resettlement, rehabilitation, reintegration and post-conflict reconstruction.
The resolution further promotes respect to women’s rights and support their participation in peace negotiations and post-conflict reconstruction.
http://www.luwaran.com/index.php/welcome/item/751-women-peace-advocates-act-to-rebuild-divided-communities-in-zamboanga
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