In the Philippines, UN Women is honoured by the Provincial Government of Maguindanao
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Maguindanao, Philippines — On 12 February 2019, the Maguindanao Provincial Government honoured UN Women during the first-ever Araw ng Parangal ceremony (Recognition Day). This ceremony recognizes organizations that have significantly contributed to social development and peacebuilding efforts in the province.
Awardees included regional government line agencies, the security sector, local civil society organizations and international development partners. UN Women was one of five United Nations agencies recognized for their support at the event.
“This collaboration has improved gender-responsive governance in the province, including women’s participation and the protection of women and girls against trafficking,” said Maricel Aguilar, UN Women Philippines Programme Analyst.
The partnership between UN Women and the Maguindanao Provincial Government began in 2016. UN Women assisted the Gender and Development Office in an initiative to understand women’s status and concerns in the province. Building off the findings of this initiative, the provincial government created the Maguindanao Rural Women Transformation Programme - a poverty reduction programme – in 2017. Further, UN Women worked with the Maguindanao Government in training women community leaders and supporting gender mainstreaming in peace and security policies and programmes. As a result, some of the trained women have gone on to be part of the consultative and decision-making bodies in the province.