Cagayan de Oro City, February 11-13, 2025 – The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in collaboration with Bae a Tumanor sa Ranaw (BT’RA), convened a conference bringing together members of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), community women leaders, and various stakeholders to exchange best practices in conflict prevention and mediation at the community level. The event sought to document mediation cases involving BT’RA members and CSOs, while also strategizing mobilization support for ongoing peacebuilding efforts in Lanao del Sur.
Vice Governor Mohammad Khalid “Mujam” Raki-in Adiong graced the event and delivered an inspirational message, emphasizing its significance for the provincial government. He reiterated their commitment to prioritizing peace and development initiatives, underscoring the essential role of collaborative efforts in sustaining peace.
Bae Norhata Macatbar-Alonto, President of the Philippine Women’s Council, also addressed the attendees, highlighting the indispensable role of women in fostering and maintaining peace. She stressed that the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda is not merely a passing trend but a crucial acknowledgment that women’s empowerment and well-being are fundamentally linked to sustainable peace and security.
A key feature of the conference was the showcase of the Women Insider Mediators Rapid Action Mobilization Platform (WIM-RAMP), an initiative launched by the UNDP in partnership with the Bangsamoro Women Commission (BWC) on March 23, 2021. WIM-RAMP unites women CSOs and leaders to advocate for and enhance inclusive peacebuilding processes, preventing both natural and human-induced conflicts within the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
Through WIM-RAMP, women leaders across BARMM provinces, including Lanao del Sur, have successfully organized into the BAE A TOMANOR (Women Mediators) or BT’RA. These women mediators have undergone extensive training in conflict mediation, empowering them to take proactive roles in resolving disputes and promoting harmony in their respective communities.
The conference served as a critical platform for collaboration, planning, and knowledge-sharing, reinforcing the commitment of local leaders and organizations to fostering a peaceful and sustainable future for the communities of Lanao del Sur. By strengthening grassroots mediation efforts, the initiative paves the way for more resilient and conflict-free communities within the region.
