PASAY CITY, Philippines – The government of Japan exchanged notes with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) for the project with the aim of addressing “women’s health needs” and responding to “gender-based violence” in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), the Japanese Embassy said.
In a side event hosted by the Japanese government during the International Conference on Women, Peace, and Security (ICWPS) at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City on Tuesday (Oct. 29), the Embassy of Japan, led by Ambassador ENDO Kazuya, unveiled two new projects to support health-related needs of women and children in BARMM, demonstrating Japan’s commitment to promote “gender mainstreaming and empowerment.”
“A resilient health sector for BARMM will be a significant boost for the region’s women and the promotion of WPS (Women, Peace, and Security). Japan will continue to be a staunch advocate of the WPS agenda in the region and the wider international community,” Ambassador Endo said in his speech.
Together with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the exchange of notes for one of the project entitled “The Project for the Protection and Empowerment of Women For Addressing Women’s Health Needs and Responding to Gender-based Violence in the BARMM”, was attended by Amb. Endo and Dr. Leila Saiji Joudane, Country Representative of UNFPA.
(Photo courtesy of Embassy of Japan in the PH)
During the side event, Dr. Joudane emphasized UNFPA’s belief that “empowering women is essential for sustainable development and peace.”
“Women are not just beneficiaries; they are dynamic agents of change, vital for driving progress, peace and stability in their communities,” Joudane said.
“Our initiatives in BARMM aim to uplift women who have faced marginalization and violence, equipping them with the tools they need to become leaders in their own right, and to foster stability within their communities,” she added.
Joudane revealed that the project will run for three years, with the goal of “mainly enhancing and improving access to sexual reproductive health services, including maternal health, family planning for women and girls”, in eight municipalities in special geographic areas, plus two other municipalities in Maguindanao del Sur.
Joudane also mentioned the building of a “safe space” for gender-based violence survivors so that they can have access to “comprehensive gender-based violence services” in BARMM.
“Our initiative will establish Women-Friendly Spaces (WFS) in all eight municipalities of the Special Geographic Areas in BARMM, as well as in two neighboring municipalities in Maguindanao del Sur,” Joudane shares.
“These spaces will serve as sanctuaries where women and girls can find support, share experiences, and access vital services. More than just safe havens, these WFS will foster social cohesion, resilience, and empowerment, enabling women to collaborate and build stronger communities,” she added.
The project, worth JPY724 million (PHP274.9 million), aims to benefit more than 30% of the total households in 10 BARMM municipalities throughout the three-year implementation, the UNFPA shared.
Meanwhile, the event included the launching of “The Project Strengthening Services in Maternal and Child Health and Nutrition Improvement in the BARMM” – a Technical Cooperation Project through the JICA Philippines Office.
The side event was attended by Secretary Amenah Pangandaman of the Department of Budget and Management, Minister Kadil Sinolinding, Jr. of the Ministry of Health – BARMM, Minister Raissa Jajurie of the Ministry of Social Services and Development – BARMM, Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity Carlito Galvez Jr., Philippine Ambassador to Japan Mylene J. Garcia-Albano, Mr. OCHIAI Naoyuki Senior Advisor (Mindanao Peace Process) of JICA Headquarters and Senior Advisor to the Chief Minister of BARMM, and Chief Representative SAKAMOTO Takema of JICA Philippines Office.
