Civil society, government, and private sector representatives concluded a learning exchange focused on enhancing women’s economic empowerment in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) held February 18 to 19 in Davao City.
Hosted by Oxfam and The Asia Foundation in partnership with the Bangsamoro Women Commission and supported by the Australian Government in the Philippines, the forum brought together supporters of women’s economic empowerment from civil society organizations, private sector, BARMM ministries, local government units, and women enterprise groups from the region.
“There are ongoing challenges for women in growing their businesses,” said Sam Chittick, country representative of The Asia Foundation.
“Part of the purpose of this learning exchange is to identify those challenges and collectively find ways to remove or navigate them,” he added.
The event highlighted the partners’ commitment to promoting the representation and inclusion of diverse women’s groups in social, civil, political, and economic spaces. Oxfam and The Asia Foundation emphasized that partnerships and shared learning among local actors are important to sustaining and improving women’s economic empowerment initiatives and ensuring the full participation of Bangsamoro women in regional development.
Participants explored the role of Islamic finance and the support available from both the government and private sector in addressing the challenges women entrepreneurs face. These initiatives aim to remove barriers, scale up enterprises, and replicate successful women’s economic empowerment models across the region.
“In the Bangsamoro, financial autonomy is instrumental to peace. And within financial autonomy, women’s economic empowerment is key,” said Atty. Sittie Amirah Pendatun, director of the Bangsamoro Finance Office under the Ministry of Finance, Budget, and Management.
Women enterprise groups in BARMM shared their journeys, highlighting their perseverance and success in building sustainable businesses.
“Ngayon di na kami naghihintay kung ano ang ibigay sa amin [na ayuda]. Dahil kaya na naming kumita at iahon ang aming mga sarili,” said Guiamelan Sayutin, a representative of Sigay Nu Babay, Inc. from Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao del Sur.
(“Now we no longer have to wait with uncertainty on what kind of aid we will receive, because we can earn money and uplift our ourselves.”)
Her group recently secured halal certification from the Muslim Mindanao Halal Certification Board through collective efforts, with support from the government and civil society organizations through the Women’s Empowerment for Leadership in Development and Peace in the Bangsamoro (WELD-Peace) project.
Jenny Escudero, a person with a disability and a member of the Hapisabela Women Dressmakers Association in Isabela City, Basilan, emphasized the need for stronger laws protecting vulnerable groups. “Gusto namin ng malakas na batas na masisiguradong ang persons with disabilities ay mapoprotektahan mula sa discrimination. Kahit ganito kami, kinakaya namin, basta may nagtitiwala sa amin,” said Escudero.
(“We want a strong law that ensures persons with disabilities are protected from discrimination. Despite our challenges, we can thrive as long as people believe in us.”)
The learning exchange provided a platform to review BARMM’s existing policies on women’s economic empowerment and gather insights from partners to ensure alignment with the current socio-economic realities and emerging needs.
“We need to foster solidarity, promote gender-inclusive policies, improve access to services, and leverage the existing capacities of local sector stakeholders,” said Jeanette Kindipan-Dulawan, gender justice portfolio manager of Oxfam Pilipinas.
“Progress is not possible unless women advance,” said Ezra Kristina O. Bayalan, program officer for the political section at the Australian Embassy in the Philippines. “The Australian government remains committed to supporting women’s economic empowerment in the Bangsamoro region and the Philippines,” Bayalan added.
