The role of women in conflict resolution at the southern Philippines

Abstract

The roles played by the women in the conflict resolution involving the Muslim community in the Southern Philippines was not given the spotlight it deserved in the series of peace talks between the republic and the separatist groups. The roles of women were as if they were insignificant and of a passive manner while women were undeniably the important “stakeholder” beside the fact that the conflict that erupted affected this group the most amongst the population there. They are also capable to contribute to a new paradigm in conflict resolution. Realizing this, the United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) passed Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security as a democratizing mechanism towards the encouragement of women in conflict resolution, protection amidst conflict, and peacemaking. In line with the introduction of this Resolution 1325, The Republic of Philippines also introduced the National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security (NAPWPS) and the National Action Plan (NAP) as a sign of support to UNSCR in order to widen the roles of women in peace talks and peacemaking programs. The main focus of this research is to look at the development of women empowerment in peace talks and peacemaking programs during President Benigno Aquino III’s administration, as well as the response of the Philippines towards Resolution 1325 especially in the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), under microscopic lenses. This research utilized the qualitative approach by conducting thorough analysis on primary and secondary sources like official documents from the Philippine government, treaties, the constitution, books, theses, and journals. This research shows that the roles of women in peace talks were active and inspiring under the administration of President Benigno Aquino III especially through the establishment of Regional Commission on Bangsamoro Women (RCBW) and the role of Miriam Coronel-Ferrer as the world’s first woman to be appointed the peacemaker in the peace talks.