COTABATO CITY (PIA) -- The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), through its Bangsamoro Women Commission (BWC), has underscored the positive impact of promoting women's empowerment in the region.

In a kickoff ceremony for the 2024 National Women’s Month celebration in the region, BWC Chairperson Bainon Karon emphasized that putting the welfare of women at the forefront of development is one of the priorities of the Bangsamoro government.

“The achievements of the Bangsamoro government, through the BWC, are manifestations of the commitment to strengthening all strategies, policies, and mechanisms to uphold, promote, and protect the rights of our women to equal opportunities and meaningful participation,” she explained.

Karon also took pride in the 9.12 percent increase in the 2022 Gender and Development (GAD) fund utilization of BARMM, describing it as "significant" and a manifestation of the initiatives to implement meaningful programs that are gender-responsive, fair, equitable, and more so focused on women’s empowerment.

“This significant increase in GAD fund utilization signifies that we can create a more equitable and empowering environment for every Bangsamoro, especially women, and achieve the overall goal of a cohesive, empowered, and progressive Bangsamoro,” Karon pointed out.

Among the notable GAD programs of the Bangsamoro government, implemented through the commission, is the Bangsamoro Regional Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security (BRAPWPS) for 2023–2028.

Launched in 2023, the action plan aims to address the specific needs and concerns of women in conflict-affected areas in the Bangsamoro communities.

“The action plan’s goal is for women’s meaningful engagement in many venues, such as peacebuilding, conflict prevention, resolution, and post-conflict processes,” said Karon.

Meanwhile, lawyer Khay Ann Magundayao-Borlado, officer-in-charge of the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW), urged Bangsamoro women to unlock their full potential, citing that being a woman is boundless potential, a wellspring of power, and a source of strength capable of making a change in society.

“Women, your strength, your ambition, your dreams, and your stories—they are all yours to claim,” Borlado told the Bangsamoro women in the region.

As the national women’s celebration rolls out, the BWC also highlights its many activities for the celebration, which include the “Talumpati” contest, where young and talented women from different barangays in the region showcase their oratory skills and share their perspectives on gender equity and inclusivity.

This year’s observance of Women’s Month carries the theme, “WE for Gender Equity and Inclusive Society: Lipunang Patas sa Bagong Pilipinas; Kakayahan ng Kababaihan, Patutunayan!” (LTB - PIA Cotabato City)