Bangsamoro women get boost on governance participation with UK, CRS program

WOMEN LEADERS and organizations in the Bangsamoro region are getting support to strengthen their participation in governance through a nine-month program backed by the British government and humanitarian agency Catholic Relief Services (CRS).

The program Advancing Inclusion and Political Participation of Women in the Bangsamoro, with a P13.7-million funding and launched on Sept. 7, will provide leadership trainings, research on women’s engagement, and consultations for the inclusion of women concerns in local plans, policies and budgets.

Bangsamoro Parliament Member Bainon G. Karon, who leads the Regional Commission on Bangsamoro Women, said there is a need to increase their sector’s role in the region that is currently undergoing transition.

“Across the Bangsamoro, there are only 221 women provincial and municipal leaders. Of the 80-member Parliament, only 13 are women. This has to change. We need to bring more women in to help shape policies and decisions. We need to engage more women and involve vulnerable groups,” she said in a statement from CRS.

British Ambassador-Designate to the Philippines Laure Beaufils said the program will support 300 women leaders and 18 women’s associations.

“Addressing gender inequality and promoting women’s participation and representation is a top priority for the UK Government. We strive to ensure that this is embedded in all our projects and policies in the Philippines and across the globe,” he said in the statement.

CRS is implementing the program in partnership with local organizations Integrated Mindanaons Association for Natives (IMAN), Inc. and United Youth for Peace and Development (UNYPAD), Inc. — MSJ