Following a three-day orientation on RAP-WPS and Women Economic Empowerment, 61 women leaders developed action plans and livelihood initiatives, culminating in the turnover of livelihood support packages to Women Political Committees of MILF in Maguindanao and to WIMPAD in the Special Geographic Areas.

Cotabato City, Philippines –  The Moro Women Development and Cultural Center, Inc. (MWDECC), under the PROSPER Bangsamoro Project, and in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with support from the Australian Government (Australian Aid), successfully conducted the Orientation on the Regional Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security (RAP-WPS) and Women Economic Empowerment (WEE) from April 17–19, 2026 at Pagana Kutawato Native Restaurant, Cotabato City.

The activity brought together 61 women leaders and community representatives from Maguindanao del Norte, Maguindanao del Sur, and Special Geographic Area (SGA), strengthening their roles in peacebuilding, governance, and economic development.

The discussions were grounded in the lived realities of participants, beginning with reflections on experiences of conflict and displacement. Women shared how they navigate crises, protect their families, and sustain their communities – highlighting their critical role not only as survivors, but as active peacebuilders.

Participants were oriented on the four pillars of RAP-WPS – Participation and Empowerment, Protection and Prevention, Promotion and Mainstreaming, and Monitoring and Evaluation – and explored how these translate into local action. The sessions emphasized inclusive participation, including engaging men as partners, and strengthening community support systems.

The activity also introduced the concept of gender justice within the Bangsamoro context, reinforcing women’s rights to economic participation, leadership, and decision-making.

Through participatory workshops, participants identified key challenges such as poverty, limited access to markets, gender inequality, and low participation in decision-making. These were translated into localized action plans with clear roles, timelines, and support mechanisms.

As part of the Women’s Economic Empowerment component, participants developed three livelihood implementation plans:

• Banana chips production
• Rice and farm inputs retailing
• Tables and chairs rental and catering services

A key milestone of the activity was the official turnover of livelihood support packages to women’s cooperatives and organizations, enabling participants to operationalize their plans and transition from capacity-building to implementation.

To ensure sustainability, follow-through actions were established, including cooperative registration, opening of bank accounts, role assignments, inventory systems, and continued coaching and technical support. A bilateral meeting further reinforced accountability mechanisms and operational planning.

Participants described the activity as transformative – many expressed that it was their first time fully understanding cooperative systems and their roles as economic actors. The experience strengthened their confidence, leadership, and commitment to collective action.

In her closing message, Dr. Judith de Guzman, UNDP Philippines Peacebuilding and Project Manager, emphasized the vision of building prosperous and inclusive communities, where women are seen, heard, and actively engaged in governance and decision-making.

Overall, the initiative demonstrates that integrating RAP-WPS and WEE under the PROSPER Bangsamoro Project provides a holistic pathway toward empowerment, resilience, and sustainable peace in BARMM.

About MWDECC and UNDP

The Moro Women Development and Cultural Center, Inc. (MWDECC) is a women-led organization advancing women’s leadership, peacebuilding, and economic empowerment in conflict-affected communities in Mindanao. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) works in over 170 countries to eradicate poverty, reduce inequalities, and build resilient institutions for sustainable development.

About the PROSPER Bangsamoro Project

The PROSPER Bangsamoro Project supports inclusive peacebuilding, governance, and economic empowerment initiatives to strengthen resilience and sustainable development in the Bangsamoro region.