In a powerful call to action, Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah “Mina” F. Pangandaman underscored the transformative role of women in peacebuilding and emphasized the need for collective global efforts to advance gender equality and sustainable peace. Her remarks were made ahead of the upcoming International Conference on Women, Peace, and Security (ICWPS).
Secretary Pangandaman stressed the importance of collaboration, noting that the global nature of the ICWPS reflects a shared commitment to the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda. “This international gathering is proof that the Women, Peace, and Security agenda is not just a local initiative but a global movement,” she said. Pangandaman reiterated that the participation of various nations demonstrates a united front in promoting peace and the vital role of women in achieving these objectives.
She also highlighted the pivotal role women play in conflict resolution and nation-building. “When women lead, communities thrive, conflicts are resolved, and nations grow stronger,” Pangandaman stated.
The Philippines, a pioneer in the WPS agenda, was the first Asian country to adopt the National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security (NAPWPS) in 2010. The country has since been an advocate for women’s inclusion in peace processes, particularly in Mindanao, a region affected by decades of conflict.
Pangandaman described the ICWPS as a platform for exchanging best practices, learning from shared experiences, and strengthening collective efforts to integrate gender perspectives into peace and security strategies.
During the conference, Pangandaman will lead a key session on investing and impact financing for WPS initiatives. The session will explore innovative financing solutions to ensure that resources are available for empowering women in peacebuilding and conflict prevention. She emphasized the need for further investment in WPS programs and the exploration of creative financing mechanisms to bolster these efforts.
As a native of Mindanao, Secretary Pangandaman took pride in the progress made by the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) in its journey toward peace and stability. Over the last decade, nearly P9 billion has been allocated for socioeconomic development, normalization, and decommissioning efforts in the region. Furthermore, she announced a significant increase in the BARMM block grant for 2025, which will rise to P94.4 billion, reflecting a 17% increase since the region’s autonomy was established.
Recently, Pangandaman was awarded the prestigious Gawad Kapayapaan Award by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPRU) for her contributions to promoting peace and development, particularly in the Bangsamoro region.
In her closing remarks, she reaffirmed her dedication to advocating for the rights of women in Mindanao, saying, “As a daughter of Mindanao, I will continue to champion the voices and rights of women, especially in the Bangsamoro.”
The ICWPS, themed “Forging Collaboration and Convergence for Advancing Women, Peace, and Security,” is set to take place from October 28 to 30, 2024. The conference will focus on integrating gender perspectives into peace and security initiatives, not only in the Philippines but across the globe.
