“Adan ug Eba” is an innovative radio program tackling women’s rights and issues aired over radio station DXRJ in Iligan City. Hosted by MCW Commissioner Anita Sescon, also Iligan City’s Area Focal Person, the program tackles a wide range of topics including breast feeding, cancer, HIV-AIDS, reproductive tract infection, adolescent sexuality, emotional and mental health, diet, skin care, smoking, drug addiction and healing, and issues on.  Also being regularly discussed in the show are laws promoting and protecting women’s rights on marriage, relationships, violence against women cases, rape and other forms of sexual harassment, and provisions on the UN Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).

The Iligan ACG, through the radio program, also partnered with groups such as the Balay Integrated Rehabilitation Center for Total Human Development, Inc. (BIRTHDev) and the Philippine Information Agency (PIA). BIRTHDev was able to promote their advocacy against child soldiers and proliferation of small arms as well their anti-war toys campaign through the program.  Topics on TAPs for peace and environment were also taken up in partnership with PIA.

MCW  Iligan area core group coordinator Anita Sescon who is running for councilor in Iligan City will be working for the adoption of the Gender and Development Code if elected. She also vowed to craft policies that will mitigate disasters and institutionalize a culture of peace.

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Davao City - - The Mindanao Commission on Women and the Mothers for Peace Movement announced today that they welcome the appointment of Dr. Grace Jimeno-Rebollos, to the GRP Peace Panel negotiating with the MILF. (more…)

“Prospects for Peace” was the topic of the speech of Secretary Annabelle T. Abaya, the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, at Kamindanawan 2010, the annual conference of Mindanao women leaders held on February 4-5. She emphasized that women need to be involved in the negotiations. “Women’s place is at the negotiation table. We can not just support the men. We should be actively involved there on the table. Make your voices heard.” She urged MCW to “make your nomination and I will personally carry it to the President.” (more…)

“Many Colors, Many Circles, One Mindanao” was this year’s theme of the Kamindanawan 2010 conference hosted by the Mindanao Commission on Women on 4-5 February 2010. The hall, inside the Waterfront Insular Hotel in Davao City, was festooned with ribbons of different colors with the women all showing up in their best Filipiniana or ethnic attire during the opening ceremony. It was an opportunity to meet, to listen, to discuss – finally an opportunity to think about an updated Mindanao agenda from a women’s perspective. (more…)

“Women should support women running for public office. But not just any woman. Women we support must be steeped in notions of social justice, human rights and gender equality. ” said Irene M. Santiago, chair and CEO of the Mindanao Commission on Women during the National Women’s Summit held recently at Miriam College, Quezon City. (more…)

“You are a demanding movement and there is no turning back.” UN Undersecretary General Noeleen Heyzer said this in her keynote speech delivered during the opening program of the Asia Pacific NGO Forum on Beijing+15 to the applause of more than 500 participants. (October 22 to 24 at the Miriam College, Manila.) “Women have learned to blend challenge with joy and commitment towards freedom from want, fear and discrimination,” added Heyzer. She is also the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific Executive Secretary.

Irene M. Santiago, Leticia Ramos Shahani, Noeleen Heyzer, Patricia Licuanan at the opening of the Asia Pacific NGO Forum on Beijing+15

Flanking Heyzer in this photo are three Filipino feminists who held top positions in UN conferences and NGO fora for women: Irene M. Santiago (MCW CEO and Chair) as executive director of the NGO Forum on Women in Beijing 1995; Leticia Ramos Shahani, the secretary general of the 1985 World Conference on Women in Nairobi, Kenya; and (more…)

The Mindanao Commission on Women and the Mothers for Peace Movement strongly urge the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front to act on a concern made by the UN Security Council over women’s continued “under-representation in formal peace processes.” (more…)

We, members of the Mindanao Commission on Women and the Mothers for Peace Movement in Mindanao, share the nation’s grief over the tragedy brought about by Tropical Storm “Ondoy” that wrought such havoc on the lives of thousands of our people. We feel the pain of mothers who have lost husbands, children and other family members in the devastation. (more…)

NGO women from all over the Asia Pacific will meet on October 22-24 in Manila to take stock, celebrate gains and reflect on the how far they have come to meet the objectives, vision and spirit of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action 15 years after the United Nations conference on women.

“Women will share their successes and failures in advancing gender equality and human rights,” said Irene M. Santiago, chair and chief executive officer of the Mindanao Commission on Women.  “They will also look at the new challenges facing women such as the global financial crisis, peace and security, and climate change.” (more…)