Philippines to Host the First International Conference on Women, Peace, and Security
The Philippines is set to host the first ministerial-level International Conference on Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) from October 28 to 30, 2024. Announced during a press briefing at Malacañang on October 4, this landmark event will bring together high-level ministers from United Nations member states, national government officials, international and local civil society organizations (CSOs), and key stakeholders to discuss the advancement in the WPS and promote women’s participation in global peace building efforts. This event will also commemorate the 25th anniversary of UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325 and related WPS frameworks, which reaffirm the vital role of women in conflict prevention, resolution, peace negotiations, peacebuilding, peacekeeping, humanitarian response, and post-conflict reconstruction. These instruments emphasize the importance of women’s equal participation and full involvement in all efforts to maintain and promote peace and security, as well as their protection from all forms of violence, including rape and sexual assault, in armed conflict situations.
Key officials present at the press briefing included Secretary Carlito G. Galvez Jr. from the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPRU), Secretary Enrique Manalo from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Chairperson Ermelita Valdeavilla from the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW), and President Amina Rasul-Bernardo from the Philippine Center for Islam and Democracy (PCID).
DFA Secretary Enrique Manalo opened the briefing with an overview of the upcoming conference and reiterated the country’s commitment to advancing the WPS agenda.
“Our hosting of the conference reflects our commitment to the Women, Peace and Security agenda, which is not only evident in our national policies, but also extends beyond our borders, finding resonance in our engagements with the United Nations, ASEAN, and other international organizations,” Secretary Manalo shared.
DBM Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, a recent recipient of OPAPRU’s Gawad Kapayapaan Award, underscored the Philippines’ ability to adapt to international laws concerning women. She highlighted the potential of the conference to enhance collaboration and gender integration in peace and security.
“The upcoming International Conference on Women, Peace, and Security represents a significant milestone. It offers us a platform to share our best practices, learn from each other’s experiences, and strengthen our collective resolve to integrate gender perspectives into all aspects of peace and security as we work towards a Bagong Pilipinas. This conference is not just an opportunity for dialogue; it is a call to action for all of us to reaffirm our commitment to gender equality and sustainable peace,” she remarked.
OPAPRU Secretary Carlito Galvez emphasized the Philippines’ leadership in promoting gender equality within the peace and security sector, showcasing how efforts have enabled women like Prof. Miriam Coronel-Ferrer to assume key leadership roles and how the upcoming conference will further advance these initiatives and solidify the Philippines’ role as global leader in the WPS agenda.
“We are therefore honored to host this first ministerial-level conference on the WPS agenda in the country to be held within this month. By bringing together women leaders, peace builders, and peace advocates from across the globe, this conference aims to highlight the significant role of women and their meaningful contribution to achieving just and lasting peace for humanity, especially in areas that are dealing with arm conflict,” he added.
PCW Chairperson Ermelita Valdeavilla addressed the Philippines’ approach to Women, Peace, Climate, and Security, highlighting a gender mainstreaming strategy mandated by the Magna Carta of Women. She explained how this framework integrates gender perspectives into these critical areas to ensure more inclusive and sustainable outcomes. She also highlighted that climate security, a new dimension of WPS, is recognized as a major accelerator of threats to peace, security, and women’s well-being. As a significant resource with compelling potential to unlock unexplored solutions to climate challenges, women’s leadership and participation in climate action are imperative.
“It is still a long journey, and in this International Conference on Women, Peace and Security, we will strive to get as much learning and establish as many networks as possible so that we can strengthen our work further. Our challenges have no borders, but our commitment and determination have no boundaries,” she affirmed.
PCID President Rasul-Bernardo expressed her gratitude to the government for its ongoing engagement and cordial relationship with Civil Society Organizations, emphasizing the importance of maintaining an open democratic space for dialogue in conflict-affected countries.
She stated, “As conflicts erupt in humanitarian emergencies unfold, the role of women in peace building and security is critical. Women are disproportionately affected by violence, displacement, and instability yet we are also powerful agents of change advocating for peace, justice, and inclusive governance. We have high hopes that this ICPWS will be an important platform to bring people together and to allow us to converge on behalf of peace and security for our community as well as for the world.”
Addressing Challenges in Women’s Participation
During the press briefing, PCID President Rasul-Bernardo responded to an inquiry regarding challenges hindering women’s participation in peace building. She highlighted the barriers posed by the country’s male-dominated culture and pointed out the notable absence of women at peace negotiations in conflict-affected areas. She called for a more inclusive approach, similar to the Philippines’ peace process. The conference will address these traditional security and negotiation concepts, aiming to revive the original WPS agenda and emphasize the importance of women’s involvement in sustainable peace efforts.
DFA Secretary Manalo further explained that the conference will feature the Manila Declaration, currently under negotiation in New York. This declaration reaffirms global commitments to gender equality, women’s leadership in peace processes, and urgent actions to combat sexual and gender-based violence in conflict zones. The Manila Declaration emphasizes collaboration between governments, civil society, and international organizations to address gender inequality in peace building, laying the groundwork for stronger, more inclusive peace initiatives worldwide.
Commitment to Sustainable Peace
DBM Secretary Pangandaman reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting projects that promote sustainable peace, particularly in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). She noted that one of the conference’s thematic discussions will focus on identifying areas for increased WPS investment and exploring innovative solutions to enhance these efforts, ultimately benefiting communities on the ground.
OPAPRU Secretary Galvez also mentioned that the first session of the conference will address how to localize the implementation of the WPS agenda, underscoring that the international community recognizes women as the most vulnerable during conflicts and the importance of prioritizing their needs and contributions to foster a positive impact on affected communities.
Leadership and Empowerment
In addressing how the Philippines can lead the way in empowering regions with more traditional and male-dominated societies to include women in peace and security efforts, PCID President Rasul-Bernardo emphasized that the Philippines continue to serve as a beacon in the region. This is evident in its contributions to initiatives like the ASEAN Women for Peace Registry and gender-based budget management. Despite her surprise at the country’s standing in the recent WPS index results, she remains optimistic that the upcoming conference will help the Philippines reclaim its leadership role in the WPS agenda, asserting that no other country has engaged as deeply in ensuring women’s involvement as the Philippines. She also suggested that there may be other security aspects, beyond traditional frameworks, that need attention.
DFA Secretary Manalo remarked that hosting the first ministerial-level conference on this topic signifies the importance the Philippines attaches to the WPS agenda, with positive responses from other countries further underscoring its significance.
OPAPRU Secretary Galvez highlighted the recognition of two Filipinas, Professor Miriam Coronel-Ferrer and Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman, who have significantly contributed to the peace process. He noted that their efforts have led to international engagements where they help propagate the peace process in the Philippines, particularly the unique approach taken in the Bangsamoro region. Galvez emphasized that these women are actively involved in inter-country dialogues and negotiations, showcasing their vital role in advancing peace efforts.
Promoting Conference Outcomes
PCW Chairperson Valdeavilla highlighted alternative avenues for promoting the outcomes of the conference, specifically through the Asia Pacific Ministerial Conference on Beijing+30 Review. She noted that women often feel more at ease in informal processes, discussions, or negotiations, which can lead to valuable ideas that may not emerge in formal settings. A key aspect of the BPFA is addressing women in armed conflict. The ICWPS outcomes will help identify effective regional strategies, potential support from other organizations, and opportunities for national women’s machineries to foster meaningful discussions among ASEAN partners.
Holistic Approach for Women, Peace, and Security
In her closing remarks, DBM Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman expressed her sincere gratitude to her fellow panelists for their invaluable contributions to advancing the peace process in the Philippines. She emphasized that the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda is not just a local initiative but a part of a larger global movement. The active involvement of various nations reaffirms a collective commitment to peace, equality, and the recognition of the essential role of women as key drivers in promoting both peace and security.
“When women lead, communities thrive, conflicts are resolved, and nations grow stronger,” she stated.
Additionally, she expresses her appreciation to the media for their dedicated efforts in disseminating crucial information and stories, highlighting their pivotal role in raising public understanding of the WPS agenda. By bringing these stories to light, she highlighted how the media plays an essential part , in fostering safer communities and expanding opportunities for women and their families.