NewsAMAL: Hope through Action Muslim Women of Faith National Conference

The Philippine Center for Islam and Democracy (PCID), in cooperation with the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP), the Kingdom of Netherlands, and The Asia Foundation (TAF) organized AMAL: Hope through Action, Muslim Women of Faith National Conference on October 26-29, 2018 at the St. Joseph’s Retreat House, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao. The event brought together one hundred Muslim religious leaders all over the country, collectively known as the Noorus Salam.

The conference served as a venue to identify the role of women and create a plan of action on the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) and the plebiscite, and on the prevention of violent extremism (PVE). It consisted of plenary talks, open forums and facilitated discussions on the BOL and PVE.

 

BANGSAMORO ORGANIC LAW

Talks were given by Dr. Susan Anayatin, Commissioner of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission, Dr. Aurora de Dios of the Women and Gender Institute (WAGI) of Miriam College and Atty. Salma Pir Rasul, Director of the Islamic Studies of the UP Law Center.

The facilitated group discussions aimed to determine the level of understanding of the participants on the BOL and to identify programs and activities that the women sector, particularly Noorus Salam, can do for the plebiscite and the transition. The following are the results:

A. Strategies for information dissemination on BOL and the plebiscite

1. Conduct focus group discussions among Madrasah teachers and students (separate sessions) once a week
2. Community assembly on BOL
3. Distribute flyers, pamphlets or any teaching materials regarding BOL
4. Capacity building
5. Conference/symposium on BOL
6. Social media
7. Community level orientation twice a week
8. Barangay assembly
9. Inclusion of BOL on classroom discussion
10. Use of local language (Sama, Tausug, Maguindanao, Maranao, Yakan, etc)
11. Coordinate with local officials to organize information campaign on BOL
12. Coordinate with college student officers for BOL orientation in schools using publicity materials and        discussions
13. Post publicity material in strategic location such as wharf, market, government offices
14. Radio programs

All participants expressed the desire to monitor the plebiscite in coordination with PPCRV.

B. Programs/Activities for women empowerment during the transition

There was a consensus among the participants on their plans during the transition which is listed below:

1. Organize Noorus Salam to form a political party list;
2. Establish a Women Commission;
3. Representation of Aleema in BTC;
4. Livelihood training programs for women;
5. Education and literacy campaign for women; and
6. Consultation with potential women leaders to run for office;

 

PREVENTION OF VIOLENT EXTREMISM

Director Helen Rojas, Officer-in-charge of the Head Secretariat for the National Action Plan for Women, Peace and Security of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP), Miss Amina Rasul-Bernardo, PCID President, and Dr. Jenny Lind Elmaco, Peace and Security Specialist of Silliman University all gave talks in relation to the topic. After the plenary, for the discussions, the participants were divided into seven (7) groups, namely Central Mindanao, Lanao, Zamboanga, Sulu, Tawitawi, and National Capital Region plus Cebu. The discussions aimed to determine the level of exposure of women to violent extremism and focused on the crafting activities and programs for PVE. The results are as follows:

Projects/activities recommended for PVE and peace building

1. Capacity building on VE and PVE
2. Focused group discussions within barangays/sitios on VE and PVE
3. Coordination with LGUs for PVE
4. Safety mapping which includes all areas of possible entry and exit point of dubious people
5. Integration of PVE in all learning areas, such as in Madrasah and schools
6. Partnering with other CSOs for PVE campaigns
7. Educating the people through posters, discussions, conferences, social media, and radio about Islam,  VE and PVE                                                                                                                                                                      8. Working with TESDA and DTI on skills and livelihood training to prevent further recruitment of violent extremists
9. Monitoring and evaluation of VE victims
10. Involve Sangguniang Kabataan officials on PVE campaigns
11. Values transformation training especially on youth.