Pasay city: Solicitor General Darlene Berberabe on Tuesday highlighted the role of women in the country’s peace and security during the first day of the Philippine Conference (PhilCon) on Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) in Pasay City.
According to Philippines News Agency, Berberabe, speaking at the Philippine International Convention Center, showcased the accomplishments of women in peace and security, particularly through inclusive governance, transparency, and accountability via economic empowerment. In the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), women have been trained in conflict mediation to help settle Rido, land, and community disputes, often stepping in where formal mechanisms lag. Over a hundred women mediators are now utilizing digital profiling tools to expedite dispute responses.
In Basilan, the Bangsamoro Islamic Women’s Auxiliary Brigade has played a role in the decommissioning process, with women-led cooperatives in weaving, textiles, and agri-value chains supporting normalization programs led by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU). This approach pairs livelihood with community peace-building efforts.
Meanwhile, the Cordillera province has drafted seven new local action plans on WPS for 2024, integrating genuine women’s participation in local development. In BARMM, the regional action plan on WPS acts as a ‘living framework’ for protection, participation, and accountability.
Berberabe emphasized that these initiatives are more than just stories of inclusion; they are evidence that entrusting women with the challenging work of peace leads to community prosperity. However, she noted that there is room for improvement to achieve ‘true inclusivity.’
She elaborated that true inclusivity in governance involves a collaborative approach where community members, such as mothers, youth, and farmers, are involved in planning discussions alongside local leaders. Transparency and participation are crucial, as they foster trust and innovation.
Berberabe also called for increased public partnership through citizen assemblies, which should be properly scheduled, recorded, and resourced to serve as genuine policy pipelines. Government agencies and local government units have already made strides towards transparency by openly disclosing project plans, bids, and budgets.
To preserve progress in WPS, Berberabe urged for the inclusion of youth to ensure continuity with future leaders. She stressed the importance of inter-generational leadership, mentorship, and the need to focus on building leaders and pathways, not just seeking attention.
The event marked the beginning of a three-day PhilCon on WPS with the theme ‘Empowering Local Women, Peace and Security Champions as Agents in Socioeconomic Transformation.’ The conference aims to foster gender-equitable dialogue to advance women’s representation and participation in peace and security.
