ARMM to train, empower more than 1,000 women leaders

• Source:http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=2&rid=851120
• Friday, January 29, 2016

(PNA), FFC/NYP/EOF

COTABATO CITY (PNA) -- To enhance Bangsamoro women's political participation in local and regional governance, the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) will conduct a leadership summit for about 1,000 Bangsamoro women leaders on February 1, officials said today.

According to Sittie Jehanne Mutin, chairperson of the ARMM’s Regional Commission on Bangsamoro Women (RCBW-ARMM), the 1st ARMM Bangsamoro Women Leadership Summit primarily aims to "strengthen women's roles and leadership, power and decision-making towards transformative governance."

A joint activity of RCBW-ARMM and Department of Education (DepEd)-ARMM, the summit will take place at the Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Complex inside the ARMM Compound in Cotabato City.

Mutin said expected to attend are 1,000 women leaders from civil society organizations, local government units and the academe. Women educators from different parts of the region will also be invited, all coming from the provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basian, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi that composed ARMM regional government.

Renowned speakers who have the background and expertise on women in local governance and other women advocacy were invited for the two-day summit.

"The projection is to develop a critical mass of Bangsamoro women leaders who will lead and be part of the change in governance and peace building," Mutin added.

With the theme "Strengthening Bangsamoro Women's Leadership towards Transformative Governance,” the summit will give participants “an opportunity to understand and appreciate deeper the intricacies of transformative governance that is responsive to the cultural identity of the Bangsamoro people,” Mutin said.

Republic Act 9710 or the Magna Carta for Women promotes the full participation and equitable representation of women in all aspects of society particularly in the decision-making and policy-making processes in government and public spheres entities in order to fully realize their roles as agents and beneficiaries of development.

The RCBW, being the principal women development agency of the ARMM, has initiated programs designed to empower and develop women's rights and welfare.

The programs include trainings on basic gender and development (GAD) concepts, GAD Focal Point System, gender mainstreaming, and basic gender analysis.

ARMM Gov. Mujiv Hataman, in previous statements, have repeatedly declared that women empowerment has been very active withe more women leaders holding government appointive and elective positions in the region.