A three-day Active Citizenship Training for Bangsamoro Women Leaders in Post-Conflict Transition was held in Agdao, Davao City, from August 3 to 5, 2023, marking the first of three cohorts of the Civic Workshop for Social Welfare Committee (SWC) of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), organized by the Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD) as part of its Strengthening Programme in Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), in collaboration with Transforming Fragilities, Inc. (TFI). The event saw the participation of 35 women from SWC. The series of training-workshops aims to empower Bangsamoro women leaders with essential skills and knowledge to drive change in their communities.
Led by TFI Experts and headed by facilitator Zarah Kathleen Toring Alih-Jul, the training program included workshops and discussions focusing on topics such as grassroots peacebuilding, arbitration, community organizing, civic education, stakeholder mapping and analysis, and delivering social action. The participants, specifically the nine SWC committees (Da’wah, Tarbiyah, Health and Sanitation, Widow and Orphan, RRC, Home Economics, CAS, and Human Resource and Development), gained valuable insights and skills through these sessions, empowering them to bring change to their communities.
After the three-day training, participants expressed appreciation, stating that the Active Citizenship Training provided insights and inspiration for their future community work. Some participants took the opportunity to share their aspirations for the upcoming elections in 2025, further emphasizing their commitment to driving change.
Beyond personal growth, the participants shared a vision for the future of SWC and their communities. The collective vision encompasses fostering peace and reconciliation, empowering women, addressing healthcare and sanitation needs, supporting widows and orphans, promoting education and skill development, enhancing community engagement, and fostering sustainable human resource and development practices.
Engr. Aida Silongan, the Chairperson of MILF’s Social Welfare Committee, and a member of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority Parliament, delivered a call for unity among SWC members. She emphasized the importance of collective efforts in working towards a peaceful and successful Bangsamoro, highlighting the significance of the event in empowering women leaders for regional progress.
The collaborative effort between WFD, TFI, and SWC stands as a testament to the importance of partnerships in promoting active citizenship and community engagement. As the first cohort wraps up, TFI looks forward to continuing their support for the participants, fostering an enduring impact on Bangsamoro communities.
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