WUNRN
THE PHILIPPINES - WOMEN'S VIEWS ON
HOW COMMUNITIES SHOULD MOVE FROM CONFLICT TO PEACE
WOMEN SPEAK: PERSPECTIVES ON
NORMALIZATION
Direct Link to Full 130-Page 2014
Publication:
Women
Engaged in Action for 1325 (We Act 1325)—a national network of peace and human
rights advocates in the Philippines—launched the publication "Women
Speak: Perspectives on Normalization" on June 5,
2014. The results of the research will be presented at the ongoing Global
Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict in
This
research, developed with the support of the Australian Government, describes
women's viewpoint on how their communities should look like as they return to
peaceful conditions. The Women discussed issues around control of firearms,
decommissioning, policing structures, and conflict resolution.
Women in
the research agreed there is a need to limit the use of guns and to disband
private armies. "They [men] feel powerful because they carry guns. This
affects children because they copy what they see," said one of the women
in the research. Nonetheless, women also recognize that firearms offer a form
of protection and security.
Together
with firearms, women discussed decommissioning. In the research women called
for proper compensation and livelihood programs for those who yield their
weapons. They also suggested creating a third party mechanism to monitor the
collection of firearms.
IP women
in the research were the most outspoken on conflicts related to ancestral
domain and land grabbing. According to these women, only the adequate
implementation of the Indigenous People's Rights Act (IPRA) and the
establishment of mechanisms to address land conflicts will lead to an adequate
transition to peace.
"There
is a need to work on horizontal security," reiterated Jasmin Nario-Galace,
National Coordinator for We Act 1325 during the launch. The peace process
mainly focused on the conflict between the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF)
and the government, but to achieve "normalization" and a lasting
peace the parties need to look at the other issues that generate conflict within
communities.