The Mindanao Commission on Women (MCW) was founded on December 8, 2001. It was established by women leaders of Mindanao as a vehicle to influence public policy and public opinion about peace and development. It was established by Muslim, Christian and indigenous women leaders and has become a significant voice in articulating a Mindanao peace and development agenda from a women's perspective.
MCW has mobilised, educated, persuaded and lobbied to make women's issues central to decisions about peace, believing that no peace agreement can be implemented or sustained without the leadership of women. To help in the building of peaceful and prosperous communities for Mindanao families, the MCW chose three inter-linked areas of work; peace and multiculturalism, poverty reduction, and politics and governance.
The commission is composed of women leaders who have many years of experience in peace and development processes in Mindanao. They work with eighteen Area Core Groups (ACGs) composed of women leaders and renowned experts in each area of work. These groups implement advocacy campaigns at the local level. Collectively, the ACGs engage in Mindanao-wide campaigns. The Mothers for Peace movement forms the mass base of the Commission.
Key strategies
- Advocating for social justice, gender equality and human rights.
- Engaging decision makers and opinion leaders and mobilising more people.
- Linking efforts from the grassroots to the macro policy environment.
