WOMEN’S PARTICIPATION AND EMPOWERMENT | The Ministry of Public Order and Safety (MPOS) conducted an activity, Capacity Development for Women Local Mediators, at Dolores Farm Resort, Sitio Tukofol, Lake Sebu, on June 3-4 and June 8-9, 2021, for Maguindanao and Special Geographic Area, respectively.
The said event is a two-day activity and was participated by forty (40) participants representing various women mediation groups, organizations, academe, and local government units in the Province of Maguindanao and the Special Geographic Area of BARMM. The activity is in line with the mandate of the MPOS to perform functions related to peace building, reconciliation, and unification of all the peoples in the region. Specifically, the MPOS is tasked under the Bangsamoro Administrative Code to conduct programs, projects and activities for the effective settlement of family feuds or Rido and other horizontal conflicts in the region.
The activity is in recognition of the vital roles of women in conflict resolution as well as to enhance their knowledge and expertise in rido settlement and conflict resolution.
Ms. Akrima A. Arap, the Program Officer of UNYPHIL- Women, delivered the topic “Women in Rido Settlement”. She highlighted the important roles that women play in rido settlement and conflict resolution. She further encouraged the participants to be the women that could make a difference in their communities. “Ang epekto ng rido sa lalake at babae ay magkaiba. Kaya dapat kasama si babae sa mga usaping rido settlement dahil mas alam nila ang pangangailangan at issue ng mga kababaihan(…) Women possess effective communication styles and a sense of empathy that could potentially make them effective negotiators, mediators and peace builders”, Ms. Akrima added.
Atty. Al-Rashid L. Balt, the Bangsamoro Director-General of the MPOS-BARMM also discussed the topic “Understanding Alternative Dispute Resolution in BARMM”. He emphasized the need to institutionalize ADR mechanisms in BARMM as mandated under the Bangsamoro Organic Law. Moreover, Ms. Elaysa E. Latiban, Team Leader, North Cotabato Field Office of Nonviolent Peaceforce Philippines, delivered the topic “Basic Skills on Mediation”. She discussed the different skills which a mediator should have in order to effectively resolve conflicts.
Last March 2021, the same activity was successfully conducted in the Province of Tawi-Tawi. The same will also be implemented in the Provinces of Basilan, Sulu, and Lanao Del Sur this coming months.
