PARTICIPATION — The Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) Parliament is one with the nation as it observes this year’s National Women’s Month (NWM). Led by Secretary General Prof. Raby B. Angkal, the BTA Parliament joins the parade during its kick-off ceremony. Also shown in photo is Member of the Parliament Dr. Susana Anayatin. (MAMaguid, MIS, BTA Parliament)
COTABATO CITY — The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), through its Bangsamoro Women Commission (BWC), officially started the celebration of this year’s National Women’s Month (NWM) through a parade today, March 2, 2020 inside the BARMM Government Center, this city.
The parade, followed by a program at the Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Complex (SKCC), was attended by officials and employees of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority Parliament together with the different ministries and offices.
The BARMM celebration carries the theme, “We Make Change Work for Bangsamoro Women”.
In her message, BWC Chairperson and Member of the Parliament Hadja Bainon G. Karon said they want to show the world that the Bangsamoro women of today are stronger despite the challenges.
“We have to celebrate women’s achievements as partners in nation building and regional development. On this note, we invite everyone to participate in the lined-up activities,” Karon said.
Furthermore, Karon stressed that this year’s celebration is more meaningful since 2020 marks the 25th anniversary of the Beijing Platform for Action and the 20th anniversary of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325.
In September 1995, the Beijing Platform for Action had an unprecedented 17,000 participants and 30,000 activists streamed into Beijing for the opening of the Fourth World Conference on Women. They were remarkably diverse, coming from around the globe, but they had a single purpose in mind: gender equality and the empowerment of all women, everywhere.
Twenty years ago, the United Nations Security Council has adopted Resolution 1325 on women and peace and security. The resolution reaffirms the important role of women in the prevention and resolution of conflicts, peace negotiations, peace-building, peacekeeping, humanitarian response and in post-conflict reconstruction and stresses the importance of their equal participation and full involvement in all efforts for the maintenance and promotion of peace and security.
BTA Secretary General Prof. Raby B. Angkal, who represented Speaker Pangalian Balindong, extended his felicitations to all Bangsamoro women for having the “Bangsamoro Women Commission”, which was legally established very recently by virtue of the Bangsamoro Autonomy Act No. 08, otherwise known as an Act creating the Bangsamoro Women Commission of the BARMM.
“With the Bangsamoro Autonomy Act No. 08, women in the Bangsamoro are more strengthened and empowered. As they move for a change, they shall aim at excellent result both socially, economically, politically, morally and spiritually,” Angkal said.
On his behalf, Attorney General Sha Elijah Dumama-Alba delivered the keynote message of Chief Minister Ahod Balawag Ibrahim.
“The theme for this year is truly reflective of our shared vision in reshaping the regional government’s policy towards gender quality and women empowerment. We believe that during the transition phase, all sectors should experience real change including the youth, women, persons with disabilities and even the indigenous cultural communities,” the chief minister said.
The message also stated, “there is truly a special place for our women not only as they regarded as role models in our Islamic tradition, but they are also important figures in our personal lives on a daily basis. It is important that we engage both women and men as co-creators of the new Bangsamoro. I hope that we truly embrace and implement the Magna Carta for Women because we want to set an example of how a bureaucracy runs in consideration of women empowerment and gender equality.”
Meanwhile, other attendees during the activity were lady Members of the Parliament, Atty. Anna Tarhata Basman, Engr. Aida Silongan, Dr. Susana Anayatin and Sittie Shahara Mastura.
The month of March is celebrated annually as “National Women’s Month” pursuant to Proclamation No. 227 series of 1988 and Republic Act 6469 series of 1990. March 06 of every year is declared as National Women’s Day. (GALao, OPS, BTA Parliament)