MANILA, PHILIPPINES-—The Philippines will be hosting the first ministerial-level International Conference on Women, Peace and Security (ICWPWS) on October 28-30, 2024, officials announced on Friday, October 4, during a press briefing at the Malacañan Palace.
The conference will be led by the Philippine government through the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPRU), and the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW).
Other core group members involved in the planning of the three-day conference include the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), Philippine Center for Islam and Democracy (PCID), UN Women, and the ASEAN Institute for Peace and Reconciliation (ASEAN-IPR).
‘A powerful demonstration’
“Our hosting of the conference reflects our commitment to the Women, Peace and Security Agenda, which is not only evident in our national policies, but also extends beyond our borders, finding resonance in our engagements with the United Nations ASEAN and other international organizations,” said Secretary Enrique A. Manalo of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in his statement.
Manalo highlighted the Philippines’ participation in a series of international-led initiatives that aimed to strengthen women’s rights and champion gender equality and women empowerment in the country and beyond.
These interventions included, among others, the establishment of the Women for Peace Registry in 2018, increased deployments of skilled women peacekeepers, and leading the 68thn session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women in March of this year.
“The International Conference on Women, Peace and Security will not only be a platform for sharing insights and best practices on this important issue/ It will also be a powerful demonstration of our leadership in harnessing collective commitment to advancing the WPS agenda worldwide,” the Foreign Affairs chief added.
‘Investing in impact financing strategies on WPS initiatives’
One of the major thematic sessions of the conference will focus on the financing aspect of the WPS agenda.
According to Budget and Management Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman, the session will revolve around “investing in impact financing strategies on women, peace, and security initiatives.”
“Basically, we want to look at some areas where we can invest more on women, peace, and security, and find ways to explore innovative financing solutions to enhance our WPS investments,” said Pangandaman.
Women in peacebuilding
Meanwhile, Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity, Secretary Carlito G. Galvez Jr. explained the conference aims to “highlight the significant role of women and their meaningful contribution to achieving a just and lasting peace for humanity, especially in areas that are dealing with armed conflict.”
“Let us remember that the comprehensive Philippine peace process aligns with the aspiration of the UN Council resolution on Women, Peace and Security, particularly [UN] Resolution 1325 and 1820, which paved the way in crafting the WPS,” the peace adviser remarked.
According to Galvez, the thematic session on the role of women in peace processes will look into the impact of the implementation of the National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security (NAPWPS) vis-a-vis the localization of peace processes.
“This action plan emphasizes a complex, sensitive and peace-promoting rule of society and empowering approach that is geared toward peace enforcement. Peacemaking is, and most importantly, the peace-building concepts,” he noted.
On climate security
The ICWPS will serve as a platform to highlight the intersections of WPS, climate security and women’s role in and leadership in response to these challenges, according to Philippine Commission on Women Chair Ermelita V. Valdeavilla.
“Women were disproportionately affected as climate-induced challenges to food production intensified their economic vulnerabilities. Their domestic functions left them with shorter work hours and smaller income with no savings to rely on [in] times of crisis. Yet, women comprise a significant resource that has a compelling potential to unlock and explore solutions to peace, security and climate challenges,” Valdeavilla noted.
She also pointed out that the selection of the Philippines to host the Board of the Loss and Damage Fund puts the country at the forefront of efforts to address climate change and champion the women, climate, peace and security agenda.
‘Part of the peace process’
Philippine Center for Islam and Democracy President Amina Rasul-Bernardo also highlighted how women have been instrumental in forging historic peace agreements between the Philippine Government and the various Moro groups, which eventually addressed issues of displacement, human rights, and socio-economic developments.
“We only have to look at what’s happening in Muslim Mindanao. Women have played a significant role in the peace negotiations. Even at the community level, women who are unseen, have been part of the peace process,” said Rasul-Bernardo.
“We have much to share, and in this international conference, we hope that we will have the platform to be able to share with colleagues [who] are coming from other conflict-influenced or conflict-affected areas,” she added.
NAPWPS and Bagong Pilipinas
With the holding of the conference, Pangandaman said the Philippines can highlight its pioneering efforts, such as the implementation of the National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security (NAPWPS), particularly its gender-responsive strategies.
“It offers us a platform to share our best practices, learn from each other’s experiences and strengthen our collective resolve to integrate gender perspectives into all aspects of peace and security,” she said.
“As we work together towards the Bagong Pilipinas, this conference is not just an opportunity for a dialogue, it is a call to action for all of us to reaffirm our commitment to gender equality and sustainable peace,” Pangandaman emphasized.
With the theme, “Forging Collaboration and Convergence for Advancing Women, Peace, and Security,” the conference will highlight the power of inter-regional networks for exchanging experiences, best practices, and challenges.
The event will also showcase the meaningful and substantive representation, participation, and leadership of women in peacebuilding by bringing together women peacemakers and WPS stakeholders from Asia, Middle East and Africa, as well as other regions.
The conference is expected to be attended by around 400 participants composed of ministers, international delegates, members of the National Steering Committee on Women, Peace and Security, and participants from Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), academic community, BARMM, local government units (LGUs), and the private sector.
The Philippines was the first Asian country to adopt a NAPWPS in 2010 and is one of the only five countries among the 108 UN member states to craft and implement the plan’s fourth iteration.
Currently, the fourth generation action plan signifies a progressive evolution in the Philippines’ approach to address challenges faced by women in conflict situations and highlight their contributions to peacebuilding efforts.
One of the expected major outcomes of the conference is the adoption of the Manila Declaration, currently being negotiated in New York, according to Foreign Affairs Secretary Manalo.
The said document is only one of the many commitments of the Philippines to gender equality and women’s participation as the country prepares to host the ICWPWS. ###