“Wearing a white ribbon is a personal pledge to speak out against violence towards women.” Irene M. Santiago, chair and CEO of the Mindanao Commission on Women, pins a white ribbon on Police Sr. Supt. Benelito A. Bianzon during the observation of the White Ribbon Campaign held from November 25 – December 10, 2009. The PNP Regional Office XI gave full support to the activity organized by MCW and the Integrated Gender and Development Office (IGDO) of Davao City. About 320 PNP members including civilian employees of PNP attended the activity held in Camp Catitipan, Davao City on December 4.

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…)

Local governance and basic services delivery have a big impact on daily life in conflicted affected areas. How are women able to make local government institutions and the delivery of basic services effective and efficient? This was the topic of the paper presented by Dr. Melchie J. Ambalong, MCW Vice Chair for Politics and Governance, at the UN ESCAP-sponsored  Regional Technical Seminar on Local Governance and Basic Services Delivery held June 2 - 3, 2009 in Bangkok, Thailand.   (more…)

To highlight the substantive role of women in mediating clan and family feuds, MCW has embarked on a series of meetings to document the experiences of women. Focused group discussions among women as well as community meetings with religious, academic and other leaders have been held in Cotabato City, Maguindanao, Zamboanga Province, Tawi-Tawi, Sulu and Basilan. A book and film will be out by October 2009 to be used in an educational campaign on how to resolve conflict through peaceful means, especially with women as mediators. » Read more about the project.

The UNESCO National Commission of the Philippines named MCW as the sole Philippine nominee for the UNESCO Felix Houphouet-Boigny Peace Prize, named after the first President of the Republic of Cote d’Ivoire who was an outstanding peacebuilder. The UNESCO Philippines Chair, Ms. Felice Sta. Maria, in informing Ms Irene M. Santiago of the honor, wrote: “We are very pleased to be backing an NGO that pioneers the once undervalued or overlooked women’s perspective in peace and development in Mindanao.” The final selection is made in Paris by a jury headed by Henry Kissinger. In 1997, the prize was awarded to President Fidel V. Ramos and MNLF Chairman Nur Misuari. Nelson Mandela was the first recipient of the peace prize. Read more about the UNESCO Peace Prize.

Read more about the » UNESCO Peace Prize

… instead of joining the conflicting parties. This is the peacebuilders’ training, MCW provides for the Mothers for Peace Circles, usually undertaken by Irene M. Santiago, Chair and CEO, Arlene M. Lozano, Program Officer, and Geejay Arriola, Media and Arts Director. Read more about the training in General Santos City, January 29-30, on » Mindanews

The next Thirdsider-Training will take place in Kidapawan City, where MCW is invited by Habitat of Midsayap. Read more about the Thirdsider-Training on this site.