02/08/2026
๐๐ฅ๐ข๐ ๐ฉ๐๐ฆ๐๐ข๐ก ๐ง๐ข ๐๐๐ง๐๐ข๐ก: ๐ ๐ช๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐ฃ๐๐ข๐ก๐ฆ ๐ช๐ข๐ ๐๐กโ๐ฆ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ฅ๐ฆ๐๐๐ฃ ๐๐ก ๐ฆ๐ง๐ฅ๐๐ก๐๐ง๐๐๐ก๐๐ก๐ ๐๐๐ก๐๐๐ฅ-๐ฅ๐๐ฆ๐ฃ๐ข๐ก๐ฆ๐๐ฉ๐ ๐๐ฃ๐ฆ๐ง ๐ข๐ฃ๐๐ฅ๐๐ง๐๐ข๐ก๐ฆ
The Moro Women Development and Cultural Center, Inc. (MWDECC) reaffirmed its long-standing commitment to advancing womenโs meaningful participation in peace and security by sharing its community-based protection and referral model during the Training on the JPST Operational Guidelines in Handling and Managing Gender-related Risk and Vulnerabilities held from July 28โ31, 2026, at Pagana Kutawato Native Restaurant, Cotabato City. MWDECC served as the resource organization for the session on Community and Women-led Practices on Referral, Reporting and Documentation.
In her presentation, Baina T. Samayatin, Executive Director of MWDECC, highlighted that the organization's engagement in strengthening gender-responsive Joint Peace and Security Teams (JPSTs) is the culmination of years of collaboration with women leaders, peace mechanisms, government institutions, and development partners.
She traced the initiative back to 2023, when MWDECC, with the support of the UNDP, organized the Transformative Leadership Training and Agenda Building Workshop for the Bangsamoro Islamic Women Auxiliary Brigade (BIWAB). Conducted from February 9 to March 4, 2023, the workshop gathered 110 BIWAB commanders and leaders from the Brigade and 35 battalions to strengthen women's leadership and develop a collective agenda for their meaningful participation in the Bangsamoro peace process.
During the workshop, BIWAB members identified key priorities for strengthening women's roles in peacebuilding. One of the most significant recommendations that emerged was the integration of qualified women into the Joint Peace and Security Teams (JPSTs) to strengthen community engagement, improve responses to protection concerns, and ensure that women's perspectives are reflected in peace and security operations. Rather than remaining a recommendation, the proposal evolved into a practical agenda through continuous dialogue with peace mechanisms and institutional partners.
Building on this foundation, MWDECC further advanced the recommendation through Project Women STREAM (Strengthening, Empowering and Activating in Maguindanao). Under the initiative, 75 M**F Women Political Committee officers and members were trained and empowered as Women Peace Advocates (WPAs), equipping them with knowledge and skills in gender-responsive peacebuilding, Women, Peace and Security (WPS), community protection, women's rights and protection laws, and community leadership. Today, these Women Peace Advocates serve as trusted community focal persons within their respective communities, promoting peace, protection, and womenโs participation in local governance. While formal collaboration and recognition of the WPAs as community partners of the JPSTs continue to evolve, MWDECC remains actively engaged in facilitating dialogue, capacity development, and coordination among the WPAs, JPSTs, and local protection mechanisms to foster a more gender-responsive and community-centered protection system.
Drawing on its experience in implementing community-based protection initiatives across conflict-affected communities in the Bangsamoro, MWDECC shared practical lessons on working in partnership with local peace mechanisms, government institutions, and community actors to strengthen community protection systems. The presentation emphasized that womenโs organization, community networks, and other community-based actors often serve as the first trusted point of contact for individuals facing protection concerns. These actors play a vital role in identifying protection risks at an early stage, facilitating safe and confidential referrals, providing initial psychosocial support where appropriate, reducing stigma, and linking communities with formal service providers to ensure timely, coordinated, and survivor-centered assistance.
The session also highlighted the importance of survivor-centered approaches, coordinated referral pathways, and sustained collaboration among JPSTs, local government units, social workers, health providers, traditional leaders, and civil society organizations to ensure that protection services remain accessible, culturally appropriate, and responsive to the needs of conflict-affected communities.
For MWDECC, the presentation represented more than the sharing of technical knowledge, it demonstrated the realization of a vision first articulated by Bangsamoro women leaders during the BIWAB Transformative Leadership Training. From agenda-setting and leadership development to the establishment of Women Peace Advocates and strengthened coordination with JPSTs, MWDECC continues to advance women's meaningful participation in peacebuilding and community protection.
As the Bangsamoro peace process continues to evolve, MWDECC remains committed to working alongside government institutions, peace mechanisms, civil society organizations, and development partners to strengthen inclusive peace architecture and community-based protection systems. Through sustained investments in women's leadership, community partnerships, and institutional collaboration, MWDECC continues to champion the meaningful participation of Bangsamoro women as leaders, peace advocates, and partners in building safe, resilient, and inclusive communities.
