22 January 2004 – During her keynote address for the Annual Conference of the Mindanao Commission on Women held in Davao City yesterday, Foreign Affairs Secretary Delia Domingo Albert acknowledged the women of Mindanao for the distinct role they play in the attainment of peace and progress in the Southern
Philippines.

“I have always believed that women, do not only engage in work because they are women, but because there is something that needs to be done, the Secretary said to emphasize her earlier statement that “the women of Mindanao have a vital role to play, from recognizing true needs and interests, to expressing the values that would make peace more meaningful; from maintaining vigilance to being strong advocates for peace.” (see related press release SFA-DDA-034-04 dated 19 January 2004)

Secretary Albert discussed the peace and development challenges facing the women of Mindanao and situated these challenges within the context of what is happening in the Philippines, the Asia-Pacific region and the rest of the world.  The Secretary also shared her personal experiences in the Department of Foreign Affairs that show how important the development of Mindanao is to Philippine foreign policy.

In her keynote address, the Secretary also commended the Mindanao Commission on Women for its  dedication and commitment to peace and the advancement of the women of Mindanao, and expressed the Department of Foreign Affairs’ support for its aspirations.

“The Department of Foreign Affairs is in a strategic position to support the aspirations of the Mindanao Commission for Women to uphold the welfare and rights of women in Mindanao and other parts of the country and it is ready to take up that challenge,” the Secretary said.

Around 300 women leaders from Mindanao attended the Annual Conference of the Mindanao Commission on Women.  The theme of this year’s conference is “Women Moving the Mindanao Agenda.”

The Mindanao Commission on Women is a non-stock, non-profit organization composed of women leaders from the six regions of Mindanao, including the  Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao.  It has a close working relationship with the National Commission on the Role of Filipino Women.  Its main thrust is to create a strong voice in policy-making and resource allocation in favor of women. END.