COTABATO CITY—Minority Leader Atty. Laisa Masuhud Alamia pushed for the passage of a measure that would establish a Women’s Caucus in the Bangsamoro Parliament.
The Caucus will serve as a platform for women in the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) to unite and consolidate representation, bridge political divisions, and mobilize political consensus to support gender equality and just representation in the Bangsamoro’s august body.
“The Parliamentary Women’s Caucus bill hopes to jumpstart better representation of women’s issues and concerns in the regional government,” Atty. Alamia said in her sponsorship speech.
The Caucus will formulate and finalize a comprehensive Women’s Legislative Agenda, including bills and resolutions addressing women’s issues, gender equality, gender development, and elimination of discrimination.
“Despite the thrust of both the Constitution and the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) to highlight the important role of women in society and governance, our underrepresentation persists in the Parliament,” wrote on an explanatory note.
According to a United Nations study on women’s participation in the peace process, no woman served on the peace panel during the formal talks in 1976 (Tripoli Agreement) and the years that followed.
It was only changed in 1997 when women were included in the peace talks.
The proposed legislation, she said, is anchored on the provisions of the Philippine Constitution, which recognizes the role of women in nation-building and ensures the fundamental equality of women and men before the law, and of the BOL, which guarantees a seat for women both in the Parliament and Cabinet.
She emphasized that the proposed bill advocates inclusivity and that all women, including “transgender, non-binary, and gender-nonconforming women,” are welcome to join the Caucus.
Discussion of women’s issues, mobilization of political solidarity among members in passing legislation, promotion of women’s participation in decision-making, and implementing relevant policies and programs that regress gender-based distinction, exclusion, and discrimination in the Parliament are all part of the caucus’ mandates. (Publication and Media Relations Division)