The SUBATRA Programme, with funds from the European Union, supported the facilitation of the Strategic Planning Workshop of the Bangasamoro Women Commission (BWC) on 19-22 May 2021 in General Santos City.
The Bangsamoro Women Commission was established with the Bangsamoro Women Commission Act of 2020 (BAA No. 8).[1] It provides the composition, powers, and functions. BWC has the mandate to promote and protect women’s rights and establishes the policy of elimination of all forms of discrimination against women. SUBATRA’s long term support for the BWC commenced with the support for the strategy plan and ongoing support with include development of an operations manual, SOPs and a Communication Plan. SUBATRA will also provide capacity building to staff, the newly-hired Commissioners and gender focal points in management and policy formulations skills. Special assistance will be provided in gender responsive budgeting so that staff will be more skilled in supporting the Bangsamoro Organic Law’s budget allocations. Other specialist support will include data collection and analysis and technical skills to support communication activities.
Photo ©Criselle Capistrano | UNOPS
Photo ©Criselle Capistrano | UNOPS
Public Administration Reform Expert Keith Morgan led the SUBATRA Team in assisting the BWC map out their strategies and activities for the period 2021-2022.
In her closing remarks, MP Bainon G. Karon, Chairperson of the BWC, reminded everyone that much is expected of the Commission with only 14 months remaining in the transition period. “We cannot do this alone. We need your support, our esteemed partners. With you by our side, working with us and joining us in our cause to advance the welfare of the women, we are certain we will be able to leave a legacy. This strategic plan that we have drafted, signifies our commitment; and together, let us translate this commitment to action,” she said.
19 May 2021
Criselle Capistrano, Deputy Project Manager and Communications Senior Officer
Email | info@subatra.org
About SUBATRA
Support to Bangsamoro Transition (SUBATRA) is a 5-year programme funded by the European Union, through an Agreement with the Government of the Republic of the Philippines with a value of EUR 26 Million or over PHP1.5 Billion. SUBATRA contributes to a smooth and timely undertaking of the transition through capacity building of the three branches of the Bangsamoro Government (executive, legislative and judicial) and civil society organisations.
This will promote an enabling good governance environment and support the efficient implementation of policies set up by the transition plan, with a focus on capacities that are critical for a sound functioning of interim institutions. These include: i) capacity of the BTA’s executive branch superstructure to drive and coordinate key transitional policies; ii) capacity of the Parliament to exercise its law making and oversight functions; iii) capacity of the Justice System to adjudicate litigations and improve access to justice, and iv) capacity of the civil society to contribute to a peaceful transition to the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
[1] Approved on February 13, 2020.
