PHILIPPINES: Sectors in Caraga discuss Philippine National Action Plan

Date: 
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Source: 
Philipine Information Agency
Countries: 
Asia
South Eastern Asia
Philippines
PeaceWomen Consolidated Themes: 
General Women, Peace and Security

Representatives from faith-based organizations, business sector, academic institutions, media, civil society organizations, and government agencies convened on Tuesday for the orientation workshop on the implementation of the Philippine National Action Plan (PNAP): United Nation Security Council Resolutions (UNSCR) 1325 and 1820.

This activity was meant to popularize and implement the said resolutions in the region, said lawyer Marylin Pintor, regional director of CHR-Caraga and Mindanao Commission on Women Agusan del norte-Butuan city core director.

“The UNSCR 1325 and 1820 ensure the protection of women's human rights and prevention of violation of these rights in armed conflict and post-conflict situations,” Pintor said.

Bing Baltazar, Mother for Peace (M4P) focal person disclosed that among the objectives of the orientation workshop include the following: 1) to raise awareness on gender dimension of conflict; 2) to identify priority issues on women's human rights, women's participation, protection and promotion of their role in conflict prevention; and 3) to map out future activities to be undertaken by the network to implement the PNAP.

In her discussion on the region's Peace and Security situation, PSI Charity Galvez of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Caraga said that Police Regional Office-13 is prepared to confront the challenges passed by the CNN and other threat groups to ensure the safety and security of the people in Caraga.

“We shall likewise maintain our vigilance to keep a close watch on developments leading to the 2013 national and local elections and shall at all times be prepared to respond to any calamities that may occur in the region,” said Galvez.

Also, during the workshop proper, the participants were divided into small groups and have identified priority issues for improving women's human rights and strengthening women's participation, protection and promotion of their roles in the prevention of conflict.

Meanwhile, as advocates of the UNSCRs 1325 and 1820, the participants agreed to name the organization into “WE Act 1325 Caraga” (Women Engaged in Action 1325). Some of the participants were also elected as officers of said organization.

The UNSCR 1325 promotes and protects the rights of women and girls in armed conflict situation in terms of the following Key commitments: 1) Participation of women in all levels of decision-making; 2) Gender perspective in Sec. Gen. Reports and Security Council Missions; 3) Protection of and respect for human rights of women and girls; 4) Gender perspective in conflict processes; and 5) Gender perspective in peacekeeping.

The PNAP on UNSCRs 1325 and 1820 (2010-2016) has four interrelated and complimentary purposes with corresponding outcomes, indicators, time frames and key implementers. The purposes and details of the PNAP are briefly explained as follows: 1) Protection and Prevention – To ensure the protection of women's human rights and prevention of these rights in armed conflict and post conflict situations; 2) Empowerment and Participation – To empower women and ensure their active and meaningful participation in areas of peacebuilding, peacekeeping, conflict prevention, conflict resolution and post conflict reconstruction; 3) Promotion and Mainstreaming – To promote and mainstream gender perspective in all aspects of conflict prevention, conflict resolution and peacebuilding; and 4) Capacity Development and Monitoring and Reporting – To institutionalize a system to monitor, evaluate and report on the implementation of NAP in order to enhance accountability for successful implementation and the achievement of its goals. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)