Bangsamoro leaders rally for safer communities for women, girls

COTABATO CITY (December 3) —Various BARMM ministries, women’s groups, and development partners joined the nationwide 2025 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women (VAW) on Nov. 25 at the KCC Mall Convention Center, as part of strengthening efforts to protect and empower women.

Led by the Bangsamoro Women Commission (BWC) in coordination with the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW), this year’s observance carries the theme “United for a Violence-Free BARMM: Empowering Women, Upholding Dignity.”

In her 7th State of the Bangsamoro Women Address (SOBWA), BWC Chair Hadja Bainon Karon highlighted gains in education, health services, livelihood support, and VAWC response, while acknowledging the need to close gaps in remote and conflict-affected areas.

“Every woman, regardless of her past, finds a place in the journey toward a VAW-free, inclusive, and prosperous BARMM,” Karon said, urging stronger LGU compliance, better data systems, and sustained coordination among ministries.

Atty. Amira Allysa Abdulcalim, representing Deputy Speaker Atty. Sha Elijah Dumama-Alba, expressed full solidarity with the VAWC campaign, stressing that preventing violence is both a legal obligation and a peacebuilding duty.

“This campaign is not just a legal duty but a moral imperative—and for us in the Bangsamoro, it is part of our peacebuilding work, a commitment woven into our struggle, governance, history, and identity,” she said.

Alba outlined key improvements being integrated into the BGAD Code, including stronger articulation of women’s rights; survivor-centered and robust gender-based violence (GBV) measures; reinforced GAD planning and accountability; expanded support for women’s leadership; enhanced provisions for shelters and halfway houses; and clearer institutional roles to ensure effective implementation.

“The committee continues to refine the draft to make the final version stronger and more responsive,” she added.

At present, the BGAD Code continues to undergo reviews and refinement under the leadership of the Committee on Women, Youth, Children, and Persons with Disabilities (CWYCP) Chairperson MP Bailing Mantawil. This is to ensure that Code will be more effective in institutionalizing gender-responsive governance and accountability once enacted.

The program also featured a session on Islamic Finance for Women presented by MFBM Director General Sittie Amirah Pendatun, offering Shariah-compliant options for cooperatives, small enterprises, and livelihood initiatives.

Meanwhile, Cabinet Secretary Asnin Pendatun reaffirmed the regional government’s commitment to protecting women and girls.

“We work for a future where our daughters grow up with safety that is never questioned—where they are valued not for their silence, but for their voices,” he said.

Also, PCW delivered a message of support, commending BARMM’s efforts to strengthen gender-responsive programs.

Throughout the event, participants toured the Women’s Exhibit and Advocacy Booths, which showcased local products and community programs from ministries, LGUs, and women-led groups.

In the Booth Competition, women representatives from Maguindanao del Sur was awarded Best Booth with a P50,000 prize. Tawi-Tawi placed second (P30,000), followed by Maguindanao del Norte in third (P20,000).

The 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women (VAW) is a mandated national advocacy effort, observed annually from November 25 to December 12 in accordance with Proclamation 1172, series of 2006.