Cagayan de Oro City, February 11-13, 2025 – The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in collaboration with Bae a Tumanor sa Ranaw (BT’RA), brought together its members, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), community women leaders, and various stakeholders to share best practices in conflict prevention and mediation at the community level. The event aimed to document mediation cases involving BT’RA members, CSOs and strategize mobilization support for ongoing peacebuilding efforts in Lanao del Sur.

Vice Governor Mohammad Khalid “Mujam” Raki-in Adiong attended the event and delivered an inspirational message. He emphasized the significance of the gathering for the provincial government, stating that it reaffirms their commitment to prioritizing peace and development initiatives.

Bae Norhata Macatbar-Alonto, President of the Philippine Women’s Council, also addressed the attendees, highlighting the essential role of women in fostering and maintaining peace. She remarked that the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda is not merely a fashionable concept but a crucial acknowledgment that the empowerment and well-being of women are fundamentally linked to peace and security.

The conference also showcased the Women Insider Mediators Rapid Action Mobilization Platform (WIM-RAMP), an initiative launched by the UNDP in partnership with the Bangsamoro Women Commission (BWC) on March 23, 2021. This platform unites women CSOs and leaders to advocate for and enhance inclusive processes that support women’s roles in peacebuilding and the prevention of both natural and human conflicts within the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

WIM-RAMP has successfully organized women leaders across BARMM provinces, including Lanao del Sur, where members have formed the BAE A TOMANOR (Women Mediators) or BT’RA. These women mediators have undergone capacity-building training in mediation, empowering them to play a pivotal role in their communities’ peace efforts.

The conference served as a vital platform for collaboration and planning, reinforcing the commitment of local leaders and organizations to foster a peaceful and sustainable future for the communities of Lanao del Sur.