Women mediators from across Basilan pose for a photo after completing the Ministry of Public Order and Safety’s two-day training on grassroots conflict resolution and peacebuilding held from May 2 to 3, 2026, in Isabela City. (Photo courtesy of MPOS)
LAMITAN CITY (May 22) — The Bangsamoro government is strengthening community-based peace efforts in Basilan by training women mediators to handle local disputes and prevent conflicts from escalating, especially during the election period.
The two-day training organized by the Ministry of Public Order and Safety (MPOS) gathered women peace advocates and local mediators in Isabela City on May 2–3, focusing on grassroots dispute resolution, gender-sensitive mediation, and community dialogue.
MPOS officials said the initiative aims to reinforce the role of women as frontline peace actors capable of easing tensions and promoting nonviolent solutions in communities vulnerable to political and clan-related conflicts.
“Local mediators are pillars of peace within the community,” said Basilan Community Affairs Officer III Shahid Akbara.
“Through wisdom, cultural understanding, and compassionate dialogue, they help transform conflicts into opportunities for unity and understanding,” he added.
Akbara said strengthening the skills of community mediators allows disputes to be addressed “with fairness, sensitivity, and peaceful approaches” amid evolving social and political challenges.
A key session during the training highlighted the importance of including women and marginalized sectors in mediation and peacebuilding processes, emphasizing that inclusive participation leads to more sustainable and culturally grounded conflict resolution.
For participants, the program also served as a confidence-building exercise for women often tasked with settling tensions at the barangay level.
“This training greatly helped me understand my role as a community mediator,” said participant Evelyn Abdurahim.
“I learned the proper way to resolve conflicts by staying calm, listening carefully, and remaining neutral,” she said, adding that the practical examples shared during the sessions inspired her to continue promoting peace in her community.
The initiative forms part of the Bangsamoro government’s broader effort to strengthen grassroots peace mechanisms and prevent violence through dialogue-driven community interventions across the region.
