Uniharmony Partners Manila Hosts Interfaith Forum on Women, Peace, and Security

Religions for Peace Philippines, collaborated with the BYU International Center for Law and Religion Studies, the Philippine Center for Islam, and UniHarmony Partners Manila to host an Interfaith Forum on Women, Peace, and Security. This global gathering took place on Monday, October 28, 2024, at the Lanson Place Mall of Asia in Pasay City. The forum is a parallel meeting of the interfaith community for the International Conference on Women, Peace, and Security, held from October 28 to 30, and marked the forthcoming 25th anniversary of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 (UNSCR 1325), underscoring the interconnectedness of our world.

The forum served as a platform for empowerment, emphasizing the intersection of women’s empowerment with critical issues such as religious freedom, the role of women in faith traditions, environmental stewardship, and the protection of vulnerable women and children, including unborn children and those facing domestic violence. The highlights of the forum will be shared to the International Conference on Women, Peace, and Security.

Hon. Suharto M. Ambolodto, a member of Parliament in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, commenced the forum by acknowledging the vital role of women in peacebuilding initiatives. Ms. Haidi Fajardo, Area Communication and Publishing Director of The Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-day Saints and Associate Secretary General of Religions for Peace Philippines, subsequently outlined the forum’s objectives, stating, “The forum aims to contribute to global efforts by identifying pathways and developing collaborative strategies to overcome barriers to women’s full and meaningful participation in peacemaking.” She underscored that integrating gender into peace and security processes not only enhances the likelihood of success but also fosters lasting peace, yet women continue to be underrepresented in these crucial roles. Consequently, the forum focused on the question: “How can we increase women’s participation in peace processes? What strategies can the interfaith community and relevant stakeholders adopt to ensure women are actively involved in promoting and sustaining security?”

With the sub-theme, “Breaking Barriers: Strategies for Enhancing Women’s Participation in Peacebuilding and Education,” Dean Maria Concepcion “Girlie” Noche, President of the Alliance for the Family, by drawing inspiration from St. Pope John Paul II’s concept of “feminine genius” or “women genius,” proposed actionable strategies to elevate women’s roles in peacebuilding, empowering the audience with concrete steps. International speakers, including Ms. Sapai Khaing from Religions for Peace Myanmar spoke about the collaboration between women of faith and religious communities in assisting victims of conflict through education and trauma healing. Ms. Bhawana Bhatta, Chairperson of the Women Service Institute (WSI) in Nepal, emphasized the need for an increased participation of women, both at the higher and grassroots level, to effect a meaningful peacebuilding action.

In the second part of the program, Dean Emeritus Prof. Lilian Sison, PhD, President of Religions for Peace Philippines and Professor of Environmental Chemistry of the University of Santo Tomas, Manila, along with Venerable Zhi Yi of Fo Guang Shan Philippines, addressed women’s leadership in environmental peacebuilding, advocating for lifestyle changes to support energy conservation and environmental protection in response to climate change.  Dean Sison particulary emphasized the strength of women of faith collaboration as effective strategy of security and peace building.

The afternoon session featured a panel discussion moderated by Prof. Pablito Baybado, Jr., PhD of the Institute of Religion of the University of Santo Tomas, Manila, and Secretary General of Religions for Peace Philippines on the role of women and the issues and challenges faced by religious communities in empowering women.  The Panelists included Rev. Fr. Carlos Reyes (Catholic Church), Rev. Erahvilla Maga-Cabillas (Iglesia Filipina Independiente), Rev. Alvaro Senturias, Jr. (UCCP), Imam Ebra Moxsir Al-Haj (Imam Council of the Philippines), Rev. Dr. Aldrin Peñamora, PhD (Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches), and Ms. Asela Arago (FOCOLARE Movement), and Fr. Karl Antonio, Asian Representative for International Observatory of Young Catholics, Each discussed the empowerment of women within their faith traditions and highlighted challenges and successes in advancing women’s leadership in peace initiatives. Rev. Maga-Cabillas noted that women in the IFI serve equally in priestly roles alongside men, while Imam Moxsir emphasized the Quran’s teachings on women’s protection.

In her closing remarks, Atty. Salma Pir Rasul, Program Director of the Philippine Center for Islam and Democracy, emphasized that religious and political institutions must ensure women’s participation in leadership to offer unique insights into societal challenges, especially those affecting vulnerable women and children.  (Philip Fuentes, IR/UST)

By: Philip L. Fuentes