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URL : https://www.davaocity.gov.ph/local-government/city-govt-gets-gender-and-development-local-learning-hub-certification-for-mtd-and-psead-programs/

Title: Davao City Gets Gender and Development Local Learning Hub Certification for MTD and PSEAD Programs

Author: CIO Admin (Davao City Government)

Date Published: April 23, 2024

Key Content:

The Philippine Commission on Women certified Davao City as a Gender and Development Local Learning Hub for its gender-responsive programs like Magnegosyo Ta Day and PSEAD. These initiatives empower women by providing economic opportunities and protection from violence, advancing gender equality in the city.

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The City Government of Davao was certified by the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) as a Gender and Development Local Learning Hub for the Magnegosyo Ta Day (MTD), and Protection Against Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Discrimination (PSEAD) programs.

The award was given to the city for its gender-responsive local governance by institutionalizing programs that empower marginalized women to be economically independent and for the protection of young people against sexual and other forms of abuse.

Integrated Gender Development Division (IGDD) Head, Ms. Lorna Mandin, said in an interview with the City Information Office (CIO) on Monday that the city was able to sustain these recognitions from the PCW since 2015 after the commission also certified the creation of the Gender Office, the establishment of the Office of the Special Council on VAW, Child-Minding Center, and the Ray of Hope Female Jail.

" Kani na recognition, makaingon ta no na in a way na sustain sa city because we started receiving recognitions since 2015 kay mao man na ang first. Kanang Local Learning Hub on Gender and Development, mao na ang ginahatag sa Philippine Commission on Women sa mga LGUs nga naa'y mga innovative, naay mga unique programs na pwede, nga maayo mareplicate sa uban LGUs. So in 2015 naa ta'y awards katong pagcreate sa Gender Office, pag-establish sa office of the special council on VAW, katong atoang child minding center, ug ray of hope female jail. [We can say that the city was able to sustain this recognition since the first time we received this in 2015 for the four other innovative gender-responsive programs of the city: the creation of the Gender Office, the establishment of the Office of the Special Council on VAW; our child-minding center, and the Ray of Hope Female Jail. The Local Learning Hub on Gender and Development is an award or certification granted by the Philippine Commission on Women to Local Government Units that have innovative or unique programs for women that other LGUs can replicate]," she said.

Mandin added that the PCW conducts an assessment for the renewal of the certification every three years, and the city was able to renew its certifications. She also said that currently, with the addition of the MTD and PSEAD, Davao City has six (6) gender-responsive programs certified by the PCW.

The ceremonial awarding took place on April 17 in Manila; and was turned over by the City Agriculturist's Office (CAgO), City Veterinarian's Office (CVO), City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), and City Cooperative Development Office (CCDO) - the implementing agencies of the MTD - and the Integrated Gender Development Division, the implementing agency of the PSEAD, to the city government on April 22 during the Flag Raising Ceremony.

Meanwhile, Mandin explained that the MTD is a livelihood program with women as its primary beneficiaries. She also said that the program stemmed from the results of their studies wherein they have identified that the majority of the women subjected to abuse were economically dependent on their spouses or partners. In 2023, the IGDD reported that the leading form of abuse was economic with a total of 1439 recorded cases.

Since its implementation in 2009, Mandin said that around 10,000 women have benefitted from the MTD.

Mandin also said that the IGDD partnered with the Department of Education (DepEd) and the City Schools' Division for the implementation of the PSEAD. School Principals, teachers, guidance counselors, and gender-focal persons in schools were trained on how to incorporate concepts of sexual abuse, exploitation, and discrimination in their lessons to inform students about what they should watch out for, and who to contact to report possible gender and sexual abuses.

The City Government of Davao through the IGDD continues its efforts in ensuring that women and children's rights are protected. The IGDD also continues to urge victims of any forms of sexual abuse, exploitation, and discrimination to reach out to their office or the CSWDO and other service providers. They may also call or send a message to the Kean Gabriel Hotline: 09088184444 or the Davao City Reports through these numbers: 09171312333, 09190722222, 09618340359, 09169067134. CIO

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City gov't gets Gender and Development Local Learning Hub certification for MTD and PSEAD programs - City Government of Davao

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The City Government of Davao was certified by the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) as a Gender and Development Local Learning Hub for the Magnegosyo Ta Day (MTD), and Protection Against Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Discrimination (PSEAD) programs. The award was given to the city for its gender-responsive local governance by institutionalizing programs that empower [...]

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Title: KRIS-CROSSING MINDANAO

Making the invisible visible (1)

Date of Publication: November 14, 2023

URL: https://opinion.inquirer.net/168123/making-the-invisible-visible-1

Key Content:

A Research Project was conducted at Mindanao State University-General Santos City titled “Making the invisible visible: the future of integrating women, peace and security agenda in higher education curriculum.” This research study discusses the complex dynamics of opposing genders in their community, focusing on the behavior of men towards the Bangsamoro region, known for the violence and conflicts arising in it, and how it can either benefit or cause more harm to the women living in the community.

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This is the title of a presentation that forms a significant part of a forum that launches the results of a research project on masculinities, gender equality, and peace

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URL:

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13678868.2018.1458567?casa_token=AeT-AJcCNR8AAAAA%3A2CLs1ugQDal1KxBUxUkSge1qoNas1XhVQm27nBn_dk0UOJG0Bj_DQ_w2KNkfT4RkdFk-oL8i9nuwnl485g&#abstract

Title: Women’s marginalization in Nigeria and the way forward

Date Published: April 5, 2018

Key Content:

Gender inequality has persisted in Nigeria since its creation in 1914, with women facing increasing barriers in socio-economic development and politics. Between 2010 and 2016, women's unemployment rose sharply from 4.7% to 15.3%, widening the gap with men.

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Women’s marginalization in Nigeria and the way forward

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Marginalization of women in economic development and in social and political spaces is a worldwide phenomenon; however, it is worse in developing countries. In Nigeria, despite the adoption of the…

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1. Short Form Social Media Content (Matilac)

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1. Short Form Social Media Content (Matilac)

# data[].attributes.body
URL: https://www.facebook.com/100064713306722/posts/pfbid02GJWLM8Pemis1YMKjqX4CZH5sSuLL8PBVLivbUahhBA8FuvkfPHcFqDcHFR1Ebu66l/?

Title: How are our communities fighting against gender-based violence (GBV)?

Author: U.S. Embassy in the Philippines

Date Published: December 3, 2024

Key Content:

The post highlights the efforts of the non-governmental organization Our Stories, Our Voices (OSOV) in Davao City to combat gender-based violence. OSOV conducts exhibits, forums, and social media campaigns aimed at empowering women and raising awareness about GBV, it showcases community-driven initiatives in Davao City that address stereotypes and stigmatization of women, promoting equal opportunities and reducing discrimination.

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How are our communities fighting against Gender-Based Violence (GBV)?

Non-governmental organization (NGO) Our Stories, Our Voices  (OSOV) in Davao City has initiated exhibits, forums, and social...

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5. Local or National News Video Segment (Matilac)

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5. Local or National News Video Segment (Matilac)

# data[].attributes.body
URL: https://youtu.be/cJL502ouXWA?si=X7SW9dx_od4LF7s7

Title: 18-Day Campaign to End Violence against Women in Davao City

Source: UNTV News and Rescue

Date Published: November 26, 2019

Key Content:

The video reports on the launch of the 18-Day Campaign to End Violence against Women in Davao City. It highlights various activities organized to raise awareness about gender-based violence and promote women’s rights, local officials and organizations emphasize the importance of addressing discrimination and violence faced by women in the community.

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18-Day Campaign to End Violence against women, gihimo sa Davao City

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TITLE: International Women's Day 2023: Protests for equal rights held around the world

Date of Publication: March 9, 2023

URL: https://youtu.be/DjTdX6ezeiE

Key Content:

This video features different protest movements from different countries for International Women's

Day, mentioning a segment of a protest by 300 activists in Manila outside the Presidential estate, fighting for an increase in wages, more work, and public rights and services for women.

This relevantly has become a platform for women from Mindanao as well who have

experienced being given a lower work wage, fewer job opportunities, and violence for their

concerns to be heard by the government.

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International Women's Day 2023: Protests for equal rights held around the world

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7. Advocacy Poster Or Print Ad (Alquino)

# data[].attributes.subject
7. Advocacy Poster Or Print Ad (Alquino)

# data[].attributes.body
URL:

https://www.womensrightsarehumanrights.org/#/un-womenwomen-cannot/

Title: UN Women–Women Cannot

Date Published: 2013

Key Content:

A series of four posters created for UN Women in 2013 highlights the widespread sexism and discrimination women face through real Google search results. The campaign serves as a powerful reminder of the need to challenge harmful stereotypes and advocate for gender equality.

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8.Public service message or promotional video (Taypin)

# data[].attributes.subject
8.Public service message or promotional video (Taypin)

# data[].attributes.body
URL:https://youtu.be/sePmMjv1XXY

Title: USAID in Mindanao: A Commitment to Gender Equality

Author: USAID Philippines

Date Published: March 27, 2012

Key Content:
The video highlights USAID’s efforts in Mindanao to promote gender equality, showcasing programs that empower women and girls, particularly in leadership, education, and health.
The video addresses gender inequality in Mindanao by emphasizing USAID’s initiatives to support women’s rights and opportunities, helping break barriers in a traditionally male-dominated society.

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USAID in Mindanao: A Commitment to Gender Equality

# data[].attributes.body
URL:https://youtu.be/Iz3rnmsvOcg

Title: Women advocating peace in Mindanao

Author: Oxfam Pilipinas

Date Published: September 21,  2021

Key Content:

The video showcases women in Mindanao actively promoting peace through livelihood initiatives. It highlights their crucial role in community development and stability, addressing social issues like conflict and economic hardship, Their empowerment is essential for fostering resilience in the region.

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11. Infographic Data or Statistics (Alquino)

# data[].attributes.subject
11. Infographic Data or Statistics (Alquino)

# data[].attributes.body
URL:

https://scrappywomen.biz/where-are-all-the-women-leaders-infographic/

Title: Where Are All The Women Leaders?

Date Published: September 20, 2018

Key Content: While more women are stepping into leadership roles, they remain underrepresented, holding only 12% of board positions and 6.3% of national leadership roles globally. Despite progress, they continue to face gender bias, discrimination, and the challenges of balancing career and family life.

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12. Government Website Content (Matilac)

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12. Government Website Content (Matilac)

# data[].attributes.body
URL: https://www.davaocity.gov.ph/peace-and-order/vaw-tracking-system-up-and-running-says-igdd/

Title: VAW tracking system up and running, says IGDD

Author: Davao City Government/CIO Admin

Date Published: April 29, 2024

Key Content:

The Integrated Gender and Development Division (IGDD) of Davao City has implemented a tracking system for cases of violence against women (VAW). The IGDD encourages residents to report instances of gender-based violence, abuse, discrimination, and harassment, emphasizing the availability of support services and interventions.

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VAW tracking system up and running, says IGDD - City Government of Davao

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The Davao City’s Integrated Gender Development Division (IGDD) bared that the VAW Tracking System [VTS], a digital database created to consolidate, record, and efficiently track cases of violence against women (VAW) in the city, is fully functional following its soft launching during the Women’s Month celebration in March. IGDD Head, Lorna Mandin, said during the […]

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13. Non-Government Organization or Academic Institution Article (Acompañado)

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13. Non-Government Organization or Academic Institution Article (Acompañado)

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URL: https://www.ndi.org/sites/default/files/Gender%20and%20Conflict%20in%20Mindanao.pdf

Title: Gender and Conflict in Mindanao

Author: National Democratic Institute(NDI)

Date Published: June 15, 2008

Key Content:

This research explores the impact of conflict on gender dynamics in Mindanao, with an emphasis on how women, particularly those from vulnerable areas, face prejudice and violence. It investigates the interconnections of gender, economic status, and conflict, highlighting the challenges these women experience in public and private spaces.

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9. Magazine or Feature Article (Matilac)

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9. Magazine or Feature Article (Matilac)

# data[].attributes.body
URL: https://www.globalasia.org/v6no3/cover/a-rock-and-a-hard-place-muslim-women-and-conflict-in-mindanao_amina-rasul

Title: A Rock and a Hard Place: Muslim Women and Conflict in Mindanao

Author: Amina Rasul

Date Published: September 2011

Key Content:

The article discusses the compounded discrimination faced by Muslim women in Mindanao, who endure both gender-based and religious biases. It highlights how conflicts in the region exacerbate the marginalization of Muslim women, limiting their access to education, employment, and participation in peace processes.

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OF THE MORE than one billion people living in poverty today, the great majority are women. They are often disadvantaged in terms of education and are considerably less mobile because of their traditional role in caring for others. Armed conflict exacerbates gender inequalities that exist in different forms and to varying degrees in all societies, making women particularly vulnerable when violence breaks out.

In addition, over the last century, the face of war has changed. According to the International Action Network on Small Arms, almost 90 percent of casualties in modern wars are civilians, the majority of them women and children; a century ago, 90 percent of those who lost their lives in war were military personnel.

Sadly, violence against women in conflict zones is often an extension of the gender discrimination that already exists in the affected community. Women's experiences and contributions are virtually ignored in conflict zones and in nations emerging from war, despite the fact that women can play a significant part in peacemaking, if given the opportunity. ¹ Women are often excluded from the reconstruction process after armed conflict, as well as from peace-building initiatives. This is why the Platform for Action adopted by the United Nations' Fourth World Conference on Women, held in 1995, identified the effects of armed conflict on women as one of 12 critical areas of concern requiring action by governments and the international community, and stressed the need to promote the equal participation of women in conflict resolution at decision-making levels. ²

In a similar fashion, the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security as a policy framework to strengthen women's role in peace-building. Its most important message is that women are not only victims of violence, they also have a potentially powerful voice in peace and security issues. These are issues Muslim women in the Philippines know all too well. They live the reality of conflict every day.

MINDANAO'S CONFLICT CULTURE

In Mindanao, Muslim women are greatly affected by the conflict between Muslim armed groups and the central government. This is further fuelled by deep-seated grievances that remain unaddressed - devastating poverty, lack of access to education and economic opportunities, festering land issues, lack of equitable representation and social discrimination.

Muslim women in the Philippines really are caught between a rock and a hard place. The rock is the armed confrontation between the government and insurgent groups and the oppressive forms it takes. The hard place is the growing power of extremist fundamentalist groups who want to monopolize Islam. These groups accuse anyone who talks about democracy, moderation or gender equality of being un-Islamic or anti-Islam. They tend to focus on women's obligations, and not on women's rights. The situation is made worse because Muslim women in Mindanao's conflict areas are often unaware of their rights.

Armed conflicts in Mindanao, which have been going on for decades, displaced some 700,000 civilians, mostly farmers, betwen 2008 and 2010 alone. Women suffer particular hardship, often shouldering an additional burden due to traditional gender roles. Their labor, strength and determination keep their families and communities going during war and throughout the long, slow process of rebuilding peace. And yet their voices are not heard in the negotiations for peace.

It is for these reasons that greater political participation for women is crucial. The logic is simple: women, who bear the brunt of conflict-related problems, should be represented in the political process that would determine conflict or peace.

GOING BEYOND POLITICS

Increasing women's representation in political office is now a widely held development goal. In fact, it is one of the indicators for tracking progress towards the United Nations' Millennium Development Goal No.3 (promote gender equality and empower women). ³ Globally, the percentage of women occupying seats in legislatures has increased to 19.2 percent. The Philippines ranks 48th out of 186 countries in terms of the percentage of women in parliament. ⁴

In the Philippines' May 2010 elections, 62 women were elected out of 280 seats in the House of Representatives (22.1 percent). There are three Muslim women in the House, among 17 representatives of predominantly Muslim districts. However, this is not enough. Muslim women in Mindanao must go beyond electoral politics to find ways to peace and a better life.

It is important to note the emerging activism of women in Muslim communities in the Philippines, which is a direct response to the double burden that women bear. First, they are primarily responsible for the welfare of their families but lack access to programs and support. Second, while Muslim women are not responsible for the armed conflict that has reduced their communities to refugee status, they bear the brunt of keeping the families and communities together. Great responsibility is laid on the shoulders of Muslim women and yet they are not heard but only seen. And when they are seen, they are relegated to a minor sector, together with children and youth, as if to say that they are intrinsically powerless.

While ensuring women's participation in formal political structures is important, advocates have also called for their meaningful participation in the peace process and other issues that directly impact their families and communities. Women cannot simply be treated as victims of war. They need to be empowered to be effective partners in finding negotiated solutions to conflict.

Muslim women realize that since they are one of the most vulnerable segments of the population in conflict situations, they need to be more active not only in achieving peace but in addressing serious social, political and economic issues. Muslim women have found that they can be a potent force in any social, political or economic undertaking.

Today, more and more Muslim women are entering the realm of civil society. They have become more vocal in expressing their disenchantment with government promises that go unfulfilled. More women have become active in conflict resolution programs, in mass actions to stop armed conflict and in establishing zones of peace. They are also some of the most active partners in interfaith dialogues and they are addressing issues related to their own vulnerabilities - human trafficking and related crimes such as forced prostitution, sexual slavery and others.

However, one very influential group of women have not been fully engaged: the Muslim religious scholars and teachers.

EMPOWERING THE ALEEMAT

In Philippine Muslim communities, male religious leaders (ulama), who have had formal training in Islamic studies in a madrasah or an Islamic institute abroad or in the Philippines, are of course very influential. But there are also thousands of Muslim women with similar education. The aleemat, as the female religious scholars and teachers are known, are generally not organized as a group but provide support to the ulama organizations and also teach at madrasahs. The aleemat have much to offer as a group, although they have been largely overlooked by institutions that provide capacity-building for women's civil society organizations. Representatives of the aleemat asked the Philippine Center for Islam and Democracy (PCID) to develop a program for them so that they, too, could focus on peace and development as a unified group. Since the aleemat may be considered a point of intersection between women and the ulama, it was logical and imperative that they be involved in peace and development initiatives.

In 2009, a group of aleemat approved a "Declaration of Muslim Women Waging Peace," a strong statement proclaiming their commitment to attain peace and development in Mindanao. ⁵

The women' s agenda is clear and basic. They want a more peaceful community so that their families can survive and live with dignity and security. In Muslim Mindanao, life can be oppressive and dangerous; changing this is their main priority. The declaration called on the government and development partners to acknowledge women's capacity to participate in conflict resolution, peace negotiations and reconstruction activities. It also called for access to financial resources and economic development, education and Islamic values formation, greater access to health services and clean elections and governance.

The 2009 declaration was anchored on the realization that women are the most vulnerable group in the conflict zones because they have the primary responsibility to find food and shelter for their children. It thus underscored the need to have more capacity building for the aleemat.

While there have been previous efforts to enhance the role of women in conflict areas, this project was significant because of the aleemat. The project's goals include providing baseline data and training for the aleemat, and a forum for the sharing of experiences between and among women peace advocates of various faiths.

In response, we launched a project to empower the aleemat in collaboration with Muslim women's civil society organizations. ⁶ This collaborative network allows both religious organizations and more secular civil society organizations to equally gain from sharing their experiences.

NOORUS SALAM: THE LIGHT OF PEACE

In 2009, PCID implemented the "Empowering the Muslim Women and Aleemat Project," which led to the organization of a national network of Muslim religious women scholars and civil society leaders called the Noorus Salam, or Light of Peace. ⁷ During the conferences held under the program, participants identified the most common violations in their areas as follows: dishonesty, sexual harassment, arrest without warrant, injustices and discrimination. The majority of the participants considered illiteracy, extreme poverty, ignorance of the law, lack of respect and poor understanding of Islamic values and social norms as major reasons for continuing violations of human rights in their communities. One participant noted that cases of human trafficking in Lanao del Sur province in Mindanao are easily dropped as there is no government-sanctioned Commission on Human Rights (CHR) office in the province where victims can file a complaint or report.

Having identified a set of common issues, the Noorus Salam members are now organizing to strengthen human rights education in communities and undergoing training to become human rights advocates. Peace and human rights, however, are so tightly linked to law, elections and development that they are not easy to disentangle. The group also wants civic education, particularly training on clean and honest elections. Health care, financial independence, literacy and education are also constant priorities.

The creation of Noorus Salam, a core group of Muslim religious women and civil society leaders, is considered a breakthrough for Muslim women in the country, as it is the first such organization on a national level. It will allow Muslim religious women scholars and teachers to have a strong role as advocates for peace and development in the conflict-affected areas of Mindanao in coordination with women in civil society organizations. The women also intend to tackle stereotypical images of the Muslim community and promote good relations with non-Muslim communities.

In the process, the role of the aleemat is made even clearer. They are catalysts and custodians of change, guiding and leading their communities in a changing and challenging world.
Amina Rasul is the president of the Philippine Center for Islam and Democracy
1 International Action Network on Small Arms, 2003, Women and Armed Conflict. London.

2 Judith Gardam and Hilary Charlesworth, 2001, Protection of Women in Armed Conflict.

3 "Looking for equality: a gender review of national MDG reports, 2005," report prepared for the United Nations Development Program, Bureau of Development Policy.

4 Amina Rasul, Women and Conflict. Presented before the 20th Asia Pacific Roundtable on "Strengthening Comprehensive and Cooperative Security in the Asia Pacific," Rennaissance Hotel, Kuala Lumpur, May 29-June 1, 2006

5 Declaration made during the 2nd National Ulama Summit, 2009, organized by the PCID.

6 Referring to the Philippine Center for Islam and Democracy.

7 Supported by the One Woman Initiative (OWI) through the Charities for America Foundation (CAFAmerica).

Back to Issue

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A Rock and a Hard Place: Muslim Women and Conflict in Mindanao

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OF THE MORE than one billion people living in poverty today, the great majority are women. They are often disadvantaged in terms of education and are considerably less mobile because of their traditional role in caring for others.

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TITLE: After decades of conflict, women build peace in the Philippines

Date posted: July 17, 2019

URL: https://youtu.be/rvjT8WxxnUQ

Key content: The Short documentary talks about the program implemented by the UN in collaboration with Mario Preneur Inc. that gave Muslim Mindanaoan women job opportunities by starting water hyacinth handicraft businesses that show how women are not only limited to household chores and that they are capable of leading big businesses. It also showed the peace movement implemented by the community through promoting peace on radio shows targeting housewives to be enlightened.

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After decades of conflict, women build peace in the Philippines

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URL:https://fb.watch/xpM0DFaDjn/

Title: Webinar on "Gender Equality at the Workplace through the Promotion of Compliance to Labour Standards"

Author: International Labour Organization

Date Published: March 16 2022

Key Content:

The Facebook Live event by the ILO promotes gender equality in rural workplaces by emphasizing compliance with labor standards. It highlights the need for inclusive environments, particularly in Mindanao, addressing gender disparities and advocating for equitable practices to improve women's socio-economic conditions.

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Webinar on "Gender Equality at the Workplace through the Promotion of Compliance to General Labour Standards" | Gender equality in the rural sectors through the promotion of compliance to labour standards and occupational safety and health | By International Labour Organization | Facebook

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Gender equality in the rural sectors through the promotion of compliance to labour standards and occupational safety and health

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URL: https://wps.unwomen.org/pdf/research/Santiago.pdf

Title : The Participation of Women in the Mindanao Peace Process

Author: Irene M. Santiago

Date Published: October 2015

Key Content:

This research paper examines women's significant role in the peace process between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation , highlighting Miriam Coronel Ferrer as the first woman to sign a major peace deal. It also explores the factors enabling their participation, their negotiation strategies, and ways to replicate their success in other contexts.