The Bangsamoro region in the Philippines has seen its fair share of armed conflicts in the past, and the stories of the women who suffered during these times are finally being brought to light. A collaborative manuscript, Herstory, was launched on Tuesday, sharing the ordeals of women from the Muslim, Christian, and non-Moro indigenous communities who were affected by these conflicts.
The book, which was authored by officials from the Mindanao State University (MSU)-Maguindanao with the help of contributors, including women who experienced the consequences of armed conflicts, has been published with the support of the United Nations Development Programme and the government of the United Kingdom.
The 220-page book was unveiled on Tuesday afternoon at the MSU-Maguindanao campus, led by the university's chancellor, Bai Hejira Nefertiti M. Limbona, along with peace advocates and the women whose stories were featured in the book.
The MSU-Maguindanao has a strong commitment to peacebuilding and women-empowerment programs in the provinces and cities of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). The university's officials believe that empowering women is crucial in promoting peace and security in local communities.
The drafting of Herstory took several months, according to Chancellor Limbona. The MSU-Maguindanao also offers a Diploma in Women, Peace and Security postgraduate program, the first of its kind in Asia, which aims to maximize women's participation in peace and security efforts in local communities.
