The women combatants of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) seek inclusive and equal opportunities to be involved as reformers in the peace process in BARMM.
De La Salle University—Jesse M. Robredo Institute of Governance (DLSU-JRIG) Senior Fellow Dr. Socorro Reyes stressed during her lecture on "Women’s Voices in the Liberation Forces of Muslim Mindanao" held on March 23, 2023, in celebration of Women’s Month
“Women play an important role in the normalization process not only as peacebuilders but as change makers.”, she added.
Dr. Reyes presented the findings of her study, which revealed that women combatants continuously pushed for their economic empowerment and seats in the government as they actively participated alongside men during the war and peace process in Mindanao.
Through conversations and interviews with 37 women combatants of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) from Maguindanao, Basilan, Tawi-Tawi, and Sulu, Dr. Reyes used gender as a perspective to probe the socio-economic, political, and women's rights dimensions of their lives.
The study found gender disparities at the socio-economic level, with women combatants not being as economically independent as men. Hence, the call for the government to provide job opportunities, healthcare, and education to improve their livelihoods is needed.
From a political perspective, encouraging women's participation in discussions on electoral and local governance codes is crucial. It is also vital to strengthen Bangsamoro Women's Commission's presence as a significant institution to advance gender and development initiatives at all levels of the government decision-making process.
Moreover, gender equality and women's rights advocacy should be amplified at grassroots levels, as domestic violence, re-marriage, and early marriages are still prevalent among MILF and MNLF women and children in the island provinces.
Her study aimed to determine the extent to which the lives of women combatants of MILF and MNLF have changed with the BARMM, look into their representation and participation in decision-making bodies and formulation of legal frameworks, and learn their attitudes towards gender equality and women's rights.
Funded by the Center for Women, Peace and Security of the London School of Economics and Political Science, the project is part of regional research on, “Gender and Governance in Conflict-Affected Countries”.
