Bangkok, October 27, 1999 -- A Philippine congresswoman has called for the immediate resolution of the conflict in Mindanao. The island has been torn by a separatist movement for self-determination for the past three decades. Peace negotiations are underway but have lately met some setbacks.
Congresswoman Patricia Sarenas, Abanse! Pinay party-list representative, says that "I have a bleeding heart for the situation in Mindanao." She added that she has "supported the Mindanao congressmen in their efforts to help end the conflict because in any situation of unpeace, women and children are most affected." She recognizes, however that it requires a "leap of faith" to be able to attain a long lasting solution and there has to be more consistent effort on the part of government for the people of Mindanao. Sarenas said that the Southern Philippines Council for Peace and Development should be allowed to continue.
Sarenas also encourages groups and individuals to help raise awareness among the Moslem women, intensify capacity building efforts, and give women a more prominent role in the ongoing peace initiatives for Mindanao.
*The Women's Media Team for the ESCAP High Level Interngovernmental Meeting to review the implmentation of the Beijing Platform for Action is composed of Mavic-Cabrera-Balleza, Lorna Israel, Isis International-Manila; Suchita Vemuri, Women's Feature Service; Babita Basnet, Sancharika Samuha-Nepal; Adelle Khan, Fiji Women's Crisis Centre; Ung Vanna, Khmer Women's Voice Centre; Lim Siu Ching, All Women's Action Society-Malaysia; Fatmawati Salapuddin, Bangsamoro Women and Development Foundation-Philippines; Rina Jimenez-David, Philippins, Chitraporn Vanaspong, Thailand. The Women's Media Team is co-ordinated by Isis International-Manila and is supported by UNIFEM.
