30/03/2026
WOMEN’S MONTH FEATURE
In celebration of Women’s Month, we feature another story of a young woman whose journey reflects the growing role of youth, especially young women, in shaping peace within their communities.
Featuring Ayah A. Basas-Senok, a youth representative on the Board of Directors of Community Action for Intergrated Development, Inc (formerly SIMCDC) and a member of Darussalam Al-Farouq Youth Organization - DAFYO, actively contributes to promoting youth engagement in peacebuilding initiatives. She helps communicate and organize youth activities, particularly under programs such as the Non-Violent Communication Transformation (NVCT), which has expanded from elders to include young people.
Her journey began during the COVID-19 pandemic, when CAID launched the “Bugsay Series,” a forum-based initiative under NVCT. Initially designed for elders and religious leaders, youth participants were later invited to join.
”First na attend nami kay way kanami katigam about sang organization. Idto lang kami para sang jama’ah nami.”(When we first attended, we didn’t really understand the organization. We were just there to represent our jama’ah.)
Through continuous participation, her perspective began to change. What started as simple attendance turned into meaningful engagement. “Yama realize ko na dili lang para sa minor na butang yang youth - mas dakowa pa gud yang purpose namo.” (I realized that youth are not just for minor roles—we have a much bigger purpose.) Since 2022, Ayah has remained actively involved in CAID. One of her most meaningful experiences was representing the organization at the Mindanao Peacebuilding Institute (MPI), where she engaged with people from diverse communities, cultures, and even international backgrounds. “Tungog sang MPI, yama widen yang kasabot ko pinaagi sa pag engage sa lain-lain na mga otaw.” (Through MPI, my understanding broadened by engaging with different kinds of people.)
Her experiences deepened her understanding of peace and diversity. “Sa peace, dili kaw pwede mag judge sang lain bisan wala pa nimo sila kilala.” (In peacebuilding, you cannot judge others without truly knowing them.) As a young woman, Ayah also faced challenges, especially in a setting where leadership is often associated with men and where youth voices are sometimes overlooked. “Kung youth kaw, usahay dili ginapaminawan yang imo ideas - kay youth kaw lang.” (If you are young, sometimes your ideas are not heard—because you are ‘just youth.’)
She also shared that women in leadership roles can face criticism within their community. “Awn mga nagaingon na dili dapat yang babae mag lead, pero para sa amo, ang importante kung paano kami makatabang.” (Some say women should not lead, but for us, what matters is how we can help.) Despite these challenges, Ayah and her fellow youth leaders continue to prove their capabilities through action such as organizing activities, collaborating with elders, and building trust within their jama’ah. “Gipakita namo na kaya sang youth, labi na sang mga kababaihan, mag organize ug mag lead.” (We show that youth—especially women—are capable of organizing and leading.)
Their efforts have led to a gradual shift in perception. “Dati puro kalalakin-an ang ginasaligan. Karon, apil na ang mga kababainhan” (Before, leadership was mostly for men and elders. Now, women are also included.)
For Ayah, peacebuilding is a continuous process that requires persistence.“Dili mo ma achieve ang isa ka butang sa isa lang ka lihok - padayon dapat.” (You cannot achieve change in one action—you must continue.)
When asked about the meaning of Women’s Month, she shared a powerful reflection: “Every day is Women’s Day. Dili kumpleto ang jama-ah kung wala ang kontribusyon sang kababaihan.” (Every day is Women’s Day.
A community is not complete without the contribution of women.) Her story reflects the strength, courage, and potential of young women in peacebuilding—proving that when given space and opportunity, they can lead, inspire, and create meaningful change in their communities.
