The Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA) joined the Regional Workshop on Women, Peace and Security in ASEAN on December 9-10, 2013 at Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Makati City.

Organized by the Working Group for an ASEAN Human Rights Mechanism with the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women), the 2-day workshop presented the United Nations Security Council’s Resolutions or UNSCR 1325- the resolution recognizing the participation and role of women in leadership, peacemaking and in conflict prevention as well as women’s significant roles on prevention of and response to conflict-related sexual violence.

According to Ms. Nor Ayn Makakena, Coordinator on Social Welfare Program and at the same time Project Operations Officer on Child Protection System for Children Affected by Armed Conflict in Mindanao (CAAC) of BDA, it highlights understanding and discussions on the achievements and challenges and ways forward in the implementation of Action Plans on UNSCR 1325.

The two-day workshop gathered representatives and personalities from members of Association of South East Asian Network (ASEAN) as well as local and national government, non-government, civil society and international organizations actively engage in advancing women’s and children’s rights, empowerment and protection.

Ambassador Anwarul K. Chowdhury, former President of the United Nations Security Council and Initiator of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 was also present to grace and provide important input on women’s rights and meaningful roles as stated in the resolution and other related concerns.

Ms. Makakena said that BDA has to learn more from this activity. “We have a lot to learn from this workshop, especially of this UNSCR 1325 which is an important resolution on women empowerment”.

BDA has been initiating various advocacies on women’s participations and empowerment at the grassroots level in all its program implementations. BDA also advocates and engages on advancing rights and protection of children affected by armed conflict in Mindanao.