3rd Mindanao Grassroots Women’s Conference

3rd Mindanao Grassroots Women’s Conference
With the theme “Kababaihan, Karapatan, Kapayapaan.”
Venue at St. Joseph Retreat House, Tamontaka, Dos, Sharief Kabunsuan Province; May 4-7, 2007
Hosted and organized by Mindanao Tri-people Women Resource Inc. and Mindanao Tri-people Women Forum
With the support from Women’s World Day of Prayer (WWDP), International Fellowship of Reconciliation (IFOR) & Entraide et Fraternite (EF)

executive summary

The Mindanao Tri-People Women Forum (MTWF) is a network/alliance of women organizations from the Moro, Lumad and migrant settlers of Mindanao. It was organized in year 2002 by seventy pioneer member-organizations.

Through times, the MTWF has institutionalized the Mindanao Tri-people Women Resource Center and have conducted Mindanao Grassroots Women Conferences.

Its objectives are (a) to sharpen the knowledge and orientation of MTWF members on matters relating to gender and peace and (b) strengthen the organizational structures of its clusters as well as its programs.

In this 3rd Mindanao Grassroots Women Conference, the forum discussed women problems; confronted challenges in peace-building initiatives, culture and religion; assessed their organizational capacities and potentials; looked back on what they have done in their respective communities; crafted plans and proposed resolutions; and inspired themselves as they merged in solidarity as women with respect to cultural differences and individuality.

They also dealt on their issues relating to their right to suffrage and assess the political conditions present in this forthcoming political exercise.

Mabel Carumba, executive director of MTWRC reported to participants the activities undertaken by the institution in years 2005-2006.

Participants in this conference came from conflict-affected areas of Mindanao. There were around 110 of them.

The conference is supported by Women’s World Day of Prayer (WWDP), International Fellowship of Reconciliation (IFOR) & Entraide et Fraternite (EF).

It was held at St. Joseph Retreat House, Tamontaka, Dos, Sharief Kabunsuan Province; May 4-7, 2007.

This year’s conference theme is ““Kababaihan, Karapatan, Kapayapaan.”