OPAPRU, NCIP hold assembly to empower women IPs

GUSAN DEL NORTE—In a bid to empower women from indigenous peoples (IPs) communities in the province, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPRU) recently held an IP Women’s Assembly.

The three-day event, which was participated by women IP representatives and selected IP leaders, was spearheaded by OPAPRU’s Social Healing and Peace Building Department (SHAPED) and the National Commission on Indigenous People.

The activity was part of the month-long observance of the National Women’s Month with the theme, “We Make Change Work for Women: Agenda ng Kababaihan tungo sa Kaunlaran” In particular, it served as a springboard for the establishment of an Indigenous Peoples Organization (IPO) in the community.

The assembly also aimed to surface issues affecting IP women who are exposed to armed conflict; promote IP’s rights to basic social services; and develop gender-related programs and projects that seek to protect women’s rights.

“The SHAPE Program will continue to undertake these interventions that will address the needs of our women IPs, empower them, and at the same time, help transform their areas into peaceful, progressive and resilient communities,” said OPAPRU Director Vanessa Pallarco who heads the agency’s SHAPE Program. ###

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