MINDANAO: Time for Women in Mindanao's Conflict Areas to Have More Peacemaking Role

Ten years since the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 which called for women to be better represented in peacemaking, some 50 women active in the Mindanao peace process will come together on October 5, 2010 in Aleosan, North Cotabato. They will formally launch the all-women corps in the Civilian Protection Component (CPC) of the International Monitoring Team (IMT).

They will also discuss the contribution of women to the peace process and how to significantly improve women's representation in peace negotiations and the conclusion of a future peace agreement in the GRP-MILF peace talks.

The launching, organized by the Mindanao Peoples Caucus (MPC), an independent mediation organization based in Davao and Cotabato, will bring together women who have worked at the forefront of the peace process in Mindanao, either as mediators, members of negotiating teams, advisers to peace processes, or peace advocates.

"The women gathering here in Aleosan have a truly impressive range of experience trying to reach the negotiating table and participate in the civilian protection work of IMT," said Mary Ann Arnado, MPC secretary general.

"They are well placed to discuss why women in Mindanao face such difficulties being represented in peace talks despite women playing important roles in politics and peacemaking," she added.

"Considering MPC's strong resolve to operationalize UNSC 1325 in our civilian protection work, we have decided to deploy an all-women contingent in the CPC who will be deployed in at least five (5) field sites in Aleosan, North Cotabato, Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte, Sarangani, Sultan Kudarat and Davao," said Analiza Ugay, the MPC-CPC coordinator.

Ugay said the all-women CPC corps shall employ practical strategies for overcoming the challenges of women getting involved in humanitarian work, as well as women's contribution to peace talks and their outcomes.

"The hope is that they will operate in their respective areas better placed to contribute to resolving conflict. The launching in Aleosan on October 5 will address a number of issues including: the value of mechanisms to include more women and gender content in peace process outcomes; the value of international standards for those working on the front lines of violence and conflict; and a spotlight cast on a number of conflict situations in Mindanao.

The event shall be graced by members of the IMT which is led by Malaysia, Joint Cordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities, Armed Forces of the Philippines, women's groups, donors and local government executives under the leadership of Governor Lala Taliño-Santos.

The launching comes at a key time in the Mindanao peace process, in which women must play critical roles. Last year, the Philippine government launched its National Action Plan on UN Security Council Resolution 1325. The launching shall be an opportunity for Mindanao women to share their own experiences as well as successes in providing mediation strategies in several conflict situations.

Women in Mindanao are still largely excluded from peace negotiations and the conclusion of peace agreements. In 2009,UNIFEM, the UN agency charged with improving women's rights, found that a mere 2.4% of signatories to peace agreements globally since 1992 (21 major peace processes) were women. This further illustrates how few women are actually involved in decision-making to end war, rebuild fractured societies and share power.

"Women's involvement in peacemaking is critical. Without it, peace is partial, exclusive and even more fragile," Arnado further said, adding that "the women gathering next week will be presenting and discussing how to make the promise of UN resolution 1325 a reality in the region."

The formal launch will also contribute to networking amongst women active in peacemaking who can support each other in their respective work. It is part of MPC's wider project, Women in Peacebuilding (WiP), which seeks to bring together women mediators, conflict parties, negotiators and advisers in Mindanao to identify and employ strategies for improving women's participation in the peace process, and gender content in peace agreements and outcomes. The project is being funded by the European Union (EU) through the Instrument for Stability (IfS) fund.