LOGARTA
Although women, their children and their families have suffered a lot in the Marawi conflict, this is not the complete picture. The National Action Plan on Women Peace and Security 2017–2022 declares: “Substantive Pillar 1: Empowerment and Participation: Outcome Statement: Women and Girls through meaningful participation and leadership are active change agents in conflict transformation and post conflict development.” Enlightened and educated women can contribute a lot not only for the prevention of war but also in the creation of genuine harmony in our communities, in our country.
The National Action Plan on Women Peace and Security 2017–2022 declares: “Substantive Pillar 1: Empowerment and Participation: Outcome Statement: Women and Girls through meaningful participation and leadership are active change agents in conflict transformation and post conflict development.” Enlightened and educated women can contribute a lot not only for the prevention of war but also in the creation of genuine harmony in our communities, in our country.
Enlightened and educated women can contribute a lot not only for the prevention of war but also in the creation of genuine harmony in our communities, in our country.
The conventional belief is that we need to wage war to bring peace because we have to eliminate those who disturb the order of our communities. Before, females, even with training from the Philippine Military Academy, could not join combat activities. With the Magna Carta of Women, females may not be excluded in any phase of military work.
Sandra Aguinaldo in “Women Warriors” gives us an idea of what female soldiers are doing in the Marawi conflict. She provided images of women skilled in the use of firearms but pointed out that they were gentle in conversation. When she asked an unmarried female soldier about relationships, she replied that she had no time for love. She was able to interview the wife of the soldier featured
When she asked an unmarried female soldier about relationships, she replied that she had no time for love. She was able to interview the wife of the soldier featured
She was able to interview the wife of the soldier featured in the cover of Time Magazine. She had not been with her husband for a while. It was in the battle that she saw him from some distance. Of course, war prevented her from approaching her husband for a warm embrace. A female soldier asked about the aspect of their work she appreciated the most replied that she was happiest as she assisted evacuees into safety.
It was in the battle that she saw him from some distance. Of course, war prevented her from approaching her husband for a warm embrace. A female soldier asked about the aspect of their work she appreciated the most replied that she was happiest as she assisted evacuees into safety.
A female soldier asked about the aspect of their work she appreciated the most replied that she was happiest as she assisted evacuees into safety.
In the male-dominated world of war, women emerge to introduce alternatives. Both Irene Santiago and Samira Gutoc-Tomawis have been members of peace panels. Samira resigned from the Bangsamoro Transition Panel because of her opposition to the declaration of martial law and the entire Marawi situation itself. There are those who claim that this act was caused by a statement of the President that seemed to approve of rape done by soldiers. She still continues to assist evacuation operations. She belongs to a group seeking an audience with the President to propose an alternative to the bombings.
Both Irene Santiago and Samira Gutoc-Tomawis have been members of peace panels. Samira resigned from the Bangsamoro Transition Panel because of her opposition to the declaration of martial law and the entire Marawi situation itself. There are those who claim that this act was caused by a statement of the President that seemed to approve of rape done by soldiers. She still continues to assist evacuation operations. She belongs to a group seeking an audience with the President to propose an alternative to the bombings.
There are those who claim that this act was caused by a statement of the President that seemed to approve of rape done by soldiers. She still continues to assist evacuation operations. She belongs to a group seeking an audience with the President to propose an alternative to the bombings.
She still continues to assist evacuation operations. She belongs to a group seeking an audience with the President to propose an alternative to the bombings.
Out of the many colorful experiences of her life, Samira Gutoc-Tomawis proposed to our youth (in a graduation speech): “Working with communities heals you, touches you, deepens you.” Such a powerful testimony for the value of immersion and participation!
From a speech Irene Santiago read, we can understand better the presence of a “Peace Corridor,” wherein she plays a very active role. “The Peace Corridor is a manifestation of the shared vision of government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) of what society should look like, one that is open, inclusive, compassionate, just and cooperative.”
“A safe, secure corridor was established. Its ultimate goal is for men, women, and children to safely flee the crisis. A mobile center called the Joint Coordinating, Monitoring Assistance Centre will facilitate the security coverage of the humanitarian intervention in Malabang and other areas of Lanao del Sur.”
Santiago asserted that “the operation of the Peace Corridor will continue until the siege is not over. As long as it takes, until all civilians are rescued and put into safety. This makes the Peace Corridor a shared vision not only of both the government and the MILF but of the whole country.”
This speech also discusses the concept of “People’s Peace Tables.” It is for public participation in peace building. The table, after all, is a metaphor for a place where we talk and share and laugh, and solve problems. Thus, ordinary and extraordinary people both have a chance to own the process of building a peaceful nation. Anyone can form a peace table, and I invite you to form one. It is a venue that will allow
Thus, ordinary and extraordinary people both have a chance to own the process of building a peaceful nation. Anyone can form a peace table, and I invite you to form one. It is a venue that will allow building of relationships, a place of healing and reconciliation. It is where people’s voices can and be heard.
But there is a very important reminder: “At the root of the Mindanao conflict is the deprivation of four fundamental human needs for security, development, fair access for decision-making and acceptance of identity. Extreme deprivation of these four fundamental human needs must be addressed once and for all if we do not want social conflict to protract.”
A Cebuano proverb warns us: “Ang alimango nga magdukaduka ma-anod sa baha.” Females, young ones and young once, let us keep ourselves intensely aware and active in our critical times!