Embassy of Japan and JICA vow to boost gender mainstreaming; launch new human security projects in health sector in BARMM

The Embassy of Japan (EOJ) in the Philippines and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) demonstrated their powerful commitment to promote gender mainstreaming and empowerment, unveiling two new projects to support health-related needs of women and children in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), during the International Conference on Women, Peace, and Security (ICWPS) organized by the Philippine Government in Pasay City.

This was mentioned in a side event entitled, “Human Security Towards a Resilient BARMM ― Japan’s Approach in Promoting Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) Focusing on Health”, where many representatives from national government, the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA), domestic and international partners, and others were present.

“Japan has reinforced its role as a steadfast partner in advancing the women, peace, and security agenda. From infrastructure development to social protection programs, your contributions have directly improved the lives of countless individuals and families throughout the country,” Secretary Amenah Pangandaman of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said as the Guest of Honor.

“A resilient health sector for BARMM will be a significant boost for the region’s women and the promotion of WPS. Japan will continue to be a staunch advocate of the WPS agenda in the region and the wider international community,” Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines ENDO Kazuya said at the launching ceremony held at the Philippine International Convention Center.

“The Project for the Protection and Empowerment of Women for Addressing Women’s Health Needs and Responding to Gender-Based Violence in the BARMM” to be partnered with the Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD) and the Ministry of Health (MOH) of the BTA and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), will be funded by Japan’s Grant Aid Cooperation.

In a similar context, in addition to this, JICA will advance maternal and newborn health and nutrition, strengthen community health services, and promote PhilHealth enrollment facility-based deliveries under “The Project Strengthening Services in Maternal and Child Health and Nutrition Improvement in the BARMM” in close partnership with the MOH of the BTA and local counterparts including local communities in the BARMM.

In the same event, Senior Advisor for Peace and Development in Mindanao from JICA Headquarters, OCHIAI Naoyuki, also discussed Japan’s policy on improving Human Security worldwide with the special focus on WPS initiatives and how it aims to further this endeavor particularly in the BARMM through livelihood improvement.

This side event, hosted by the EOJ in the Philippines and JICA, was supported by many dignitaries present such as Secretary Carlito G. Galvez, Jr. of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity; Secretary Amenah Pangandaman of the DBM; Minister Kadil Sinolinding, Jr. of the MOH-BARMM; and Minister Raisa Jajurie of the MSSD-BARMM. It was unique among other side events during the ICWPS in terms of discussing a collaborative approach for innovative solutions towards gender mainstreaming development and peacebuilding, with such many dignitaries.

As Chief Representative of JICA Philippines SAKAMOTO Takema highlighted in his closing remarks, “The role of women is crucial, as indispensable agents of peace and security, especially in conflict-affected areas,” and “JICA moves forward tirelessly, duly recognizing that vulnerable or marginalized people, like women, should not only be participants in the peace process, but also be drivers, promoters and decision-makers in shaping our future”. Sakamoto also announced JICA’s plan to issue Gender Bonds, worth 30-40 billion Japanese Yen this November which will function as a driving force for JICA’s gender mainstreaming efforts worldwide.

With the main theme “Forging Collaboration and Convergence for Advancing Women, Peace, and Security”, the ICWPS served as a celebration of the 25^th anniversary of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 (UNSCR 1325) from 28 to 30 October 2024.

The Conference was opened by the First Lady of the Philippines Marie Louise Araneta Marcos and celebrating the first ever WPS conference in Asia, bringing together more than 700 hundred representatives from around 90 countries.