Army troops join Peace Workshop for Women in Samar

By DPAO, 8ID PA
September 26, 2012

CAMP LUKBAN, Catbalogan City  –  The 8th Infantry (Stormtroopers) Division, Philippine Army participated in the two-day seminar workshop on women, peace and security at Caluwayan Palm Beach Resort, Brgy Caluwayan, Marabut, Samar last September 24-25, 2012.

The event was organized by the Women engaged in Action (We Act) 1325, a coalition of women organizations and civil society groups working on women, peace and security issues in the country together with the local partner Katungod han Samareña Foundation (KSFI) in partnership with the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPPAP).

The workshop also focused on the implementation and localization of Philippine National Action Plan on United Nations Security Council Resolutions (UNSCR) 1325 and 1820 to three conflict affected municipalities (San Jose De Buan, San Jorge and Matuguinao) of Samar Province.

Ms Jasmine Nario-Galace, We Act 1325 National Coordinator and the over-all facilitator discussed the importance of the localization of the National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security. The plan must be based on the USNCR 1325 in which it addresses the disproportionate and unique impact of armed conflict on women; it recognizes the under-valued and under-utilized contributions women make to conflict prevention, peacekeeping, conflict resolution and peace-building; and it also stresses on the importance of women’s equal and full participation as active agents in peace and security as mentioned in Ms Galace’s presentation.

Director Aileen Jose, OPPAP Luzon-Visayas Coordinator together with Cpt Gene Orense, PIO, 8ID, PA briefed the participants about the current Peace and Security Situation and latest PAMANA projects and programs in Samar Island Provinces and the Context of Samar Conflict and World Development Report.

Interested and significant topics related to women, peace and security were also discussed during the two-day event which included the International and National Mechanisms on Womens Human Rights; The Gender Dimension of Peace and Conflict; Integrating the Philippine National Action Plan on 1325 in the work of the Sangunian Bayan; Legislating National Action Plan on UNSCR 1325; and the Local Development Planning Cycle.