BANGSAMORO WOMEN COMMISSION (BWC) CONDUCTS STUDY TOUR IN KUALA LUMPUR

Kuala Lumpur, 07 March 2025 – The Bangsamoro Women Commission (BWC) held a benchmarking visit to Kuala Lumpur on 24 to 26 February 2025. The BWC delegation was headed by Chairperson Hadja Bainon Karon, with Executive Director Faujiah K. Abdullah, Commissioner Faija T. Taalil of Basilan, Commissioner Rainsa E. Salahuddin of Tawi-Tawi and Commissioner Samaona P. Unda of Lanao del Sur.

The delegation met with officials from the Ministry of Women, Family, and Community Development (KPWKM), the Department of Women's Development, the Department of Orang Asli Development (JAKOA), the Ministry of Health - One Stop Crisis Center, and the Women's Aid Organization (WAO). The objective of the tour was to learn from the best practices of these institutions and enhance the BWC's capacity to promote gender equality, family well-being, and community development in the Bangsamoro region.

Ambassador Maria Angela Ponce received the delegation at the Philippine Embassy on 24 February 2025. The Ambassador welcomed BWC’s visit, noting its timeliness in light of the upcoming celebration of National Women's Month in March. Noting that per the World Economic Forum (WEF) the Philippines ranks highest among ASEAN Member States in gender equality, ranking 25th out of 146 countries, the Ambassador expressed confidence that the BWC could impart their experiences on gender mainstreaming and women empowerment to their Malaysian counterparts.

Chairperson Karon and the other Commissioners shared their thoughts on the persisting gender issues and challenges faced by Filipinos in the region and the possible courses of action that could be taken to address them. They also highlighted the Commission's initiatives to forward gender mainstreaming and women participation in the region. These include the Kabuhayan ni Kaka Bai, a program that provides capital assistance, business development training and mentoring to support the micro-enterprises of women in the region. Another initiative is BWC’s participation in the BARMM Women, Peace and Security (WPS) course led by the Ministry of Order and Public Safety Bangsamoro Peace Institute and UN Women. END