MARAWI CITY (PIA)--With the support of Global Affairs Canada (GAC), the Bangsamoro Government, United Nations Women, and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) recently launched the "UN Joint Programme: Empowering Women for Sustainable Peace in BARMM" to strengthen inclusive, gender-responsive policy and programming on conflict prevention and resolution by government institutions in the region.

The project also aims to foster meaningful participation and leadership in conflict prevention and resolution and the peace-humanitarian nexus, which includes women peace mediators and women's organizations in the BARMM.

Head of Cooperation of the Embassy of Canada to the Philippines, John Lok, Bangsamoro Planning and Development Authority Director General, Engr. Mohajirin Ali, and Bangsamoro Women Commission Chairperson, Bainon Karon, unveiled the logo that signifies "Para sa Kababaihan" and the symbolic signing of a tarpaulin to officially open the UN Joint Program.

With them are Lawyer Sha Elijah Dumama-Alba, Bangsamoro Human Rights Commission Lawyer Abdul Rashid Kalim, Minister of Budget, Finance, and Management Lawyer Ubaida Pacasem, representatives from the Development Academy of the Bangsamoro Guiamel Nalg, Peace, Security, and Reconciliation Office Executive Director Anwar Alamada, and from UN partners: UNDP Head of Cotabato Field Office Winston Aylmer Camarinas, Lead ASEAN Governance, Peace, and Security-UN Women Ryce Chanchai.

Lok said Canada has been a strong international advocate for women, peace, and security agenda.

"Canada recognizes the historic and beautiful achievements of the Bangsamoro peace process in recent years—it is a testament to see all parties bring lasting peace and sustainable development to the region," said Lok, noting that this program’s goal is to help the women and girls impacted by conflict and is also committed to supporting the regional government.

Meanwhile, the Regional Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security (RAP-WPS) was approved on finalization at the Bangsamoro Gender and Development Special Committee (BGADSC) Regular Meeting held on the same day.

Karon emphasized that one of the most important policies in BARMM is the Regional Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security. The RAPWPS 2023–2028 is now approved and has been instrumental in ensuring and addressing the vulnerabilities of women impacted by conflict in the BARMM.

"The BARMM has been innovative in its WPS work among the global peacebuilding communities," she added.

It will be implemented in cooperation with the Bangsamoro Women Commission, the Ministry of Interior Local Government, the Ministry of Public Order and Safety, the Bangsamoro Human Rights Commission, BARMM local government units, and civil society organizations and non-government organizations in BARMM, particularly those with representatives included in the Women Insider Mediators-Rapid Action and Mobilization Platform, the Women Speakers Bureau, and other partners. (BIO/PIA-10/Lanao del Sur)