WOMEN POWER: A Muslim woman gestures during the recently concluded peace summit in Davao City. DAVAO CITY (MEDCo / 21 Feb) Over 100 Mindanao women participants converged here recently to discuss the setting up of a concrete framework on women's participation on the peace process currently being pursued by the Arroyo administration.
The two-day Mindanao Women's Peace Summit summed up various community consultations held from all 6 regions in Mindanao to draw up recommendations and inputs for both peace panels of the government and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
Entitled, "If Women Negotiated the GRP-MILF Peace Agreement", the gathering seeks to present a position paper to influence the GRP and MILF peace panels by providing a venue where women in conflict affected areas can articulate their stand on what the agreement should contain.
According to Irene Santiago, executive officer of the Mindanao Commission on Women (MCW), women must take an active part in achieving lasting peace and development in Mindanao.
"We believe that the current peace negations between the Government of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front will present us with a distinct opportunity to attain peace and justice in Mindanao," Santiago said.
She said the women's proposal to the peace panels is geared at seeking a comprehensive peace agreement that will address the root causes of the Moro struggle.
"We believe that the peace process is not a commodity, therefore, we must learn from the lessons of the past. In achieving all our dreams we must recognize the profound impact on the Bangsamoro people equally for men and women," Santiago stressed.
Secy. Jesus Dureza, presidential adviser for peace process, lauded the efforts of women leaders for initiating an active role in achieving lasting peace and sustainable development in the island.
"Women are active players in their communities, particularly in the conflict affected areas. Hence, the important roles they play in peace making deserve ample recognition and support," Dureza said.
He further stressed that women increasingly create national coalitions and international networks for peace, and building blocks for future sustainable development undertakings which is greatly needed for the peace process.
"Peace negotiations and rebuilding societies are no longer an exclusive task for men and we cannot exclude women participation in fully implementing the final peace accord with the MILF," Dureza said.
The women summit was spearheaded by MCW, with support from the German Technical Cooperation, the Australian Agency for International Development and the Catholic Relief Services.
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