|
WOMEN "UNVEILING" FOR PEACE |
|
|
|
|
Written by Samira Ali Gutoc
|
|
Wednesday, 10 December 2003 |
The 9-11 attack catapulted Muslim images in media. Just as George Bush was dividing the line of We versus they in the war on terror, differing voices of condemnation and celebration among Muslims oon suspected mastermind Osama brought a new age of mainstream debate in the Muslim world. Does Islam tolerate terrorism? Was the ensuing policy on war on terrorism against Muslims?
The women weren't left behind in the discourse. Post 9-11 TV features saw garbed women in the United States and United Kingdom being interviewed on their feelings about the 9-11 spectacle. "Islam does not condone the terrorist act,"; said one outspoken lady. Even as Muslim organized groups such as the Islamic Society of North America in the United States were issuing statements of condemnation, racial profiling by authorities had led to the arrest of suspected terrorists with Middle East and Arabian origin.
Here in the Philippines, since Erap's all-out war in 2000, Muslim women were promoting peace advocacy even as the later declared war on terror further focused attention on conflict-ridden communities, where military and rebels occasionally exchange fire. In efforts to support the war on terror, the Philippine government has warned the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) of not coddling terrorists in its' camps. Armed clashes in the Buliok complex in Maguindanao early February on the start of the Muslim holiday Eidul Adha forced civilian communities to evacuate out of the towns of Pagalungan and Pikit.
Women in the conflict areas were major victims of displacements. "Women bear a major load in times of war and violence. When the men go to war, the women become the major breadwinners of the family ; taking care of the children, other members of the family and having to earn income to feed everyone,"; said Amina Rasul, senior fellow of the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) and the United States Institute of Peace (USIP).
Peace advocacy has become the major weapon of women's groups to combat sporadic armed clashes in Central Mindanao.
As the world celebrates international human rights day, government officials, academicians and NGO workers will convene in Zamboanga City on December 10-12 for the Muslim Women Peace Advocates Conference.
The project comes timely too as the MILF and government engages in exploratory peace talks next year. This early, the MILF is consulting Muslim civil society groups for inputs on their agenda which includes ancestral domain, human rights and education. The conference project organized by the Southwestern Mindanao based-Magbassa Kita Foundation, AIM and Konrad Adenaur Foundation promotes women's participation in peace processes. Consensus-building and networking among like-minded Muslim women is expected to generate a declaration by the participants towards "building a culture of peace." ;
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo was invited to keynote the conference at Garden Orchid Hotel while former Senator Santanina Rasul of Sulu and the Zamboanga City Mayor Celso Lobregat will deliver the opening and welcome remarks respectively. Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos Deles and National Commission on the Role of Filipino Women chairperson Aurora Javate De Dios were to give messages.
The speakers and topics for discussion are Santanina Rasul; chair of the Magbassa Kita Foundation; Dr. Tasneema Ghazi; Iqra Foundation, Chicago; Dr. Pilar Bautista of the Office of the Presidental Assistant on Education on Women and Education (focus on the Madaris); Social Welfare Usec. Omera Lucman, Marie Emilie Lagon; Rural Bank of Tacurong, Fatmawati Salapuddin; ARMM Social Fund on Women and Poverty; Brunei Ambassador Hadja Maimuna Alias and Basilan's Lantawan Mayor Tahira Ismael on Women and Governance; Dr. Shahnaz Huda of Bangladesh; Shariah judge Nurkarhat Salapuddin and Atty. Rowena Guanzon on Sharia Law and Its Impact on Women; Dr. Alan Tidwell ; USIP and Grace Rebollos of the Western Mindanao State University Peace Center on Scenario-Building; Mely Nicholas, former chairperson of the National Commission on the Role of Filipino Women; Amina Rasul, Philippine Council for Islam and Democracy on Participation, Organization and Mobilization of Women in Peace-building.
Local success stories of peace-making will also be presented in print and video-documentary forms.
Trackback(0)
 |
TrackBack URI for this entry
Subscribe to this comment's feed