Advancing Women, Peace and Security in Legislation

March 26, 2026

On February 11-12, PLCPD, with the support of Sasakawa Peace Foundation, brought together civil society organizations from BARMM, members of the academe, and government agencies in a linking and learning session on advancing the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda in the Philippines. The activity discussed the critical role of CSOs in registering context-specific needs of communities to influence WPS policymaking and legislation.

Rep. Ann Matibag, Chair of the Committee on Women and Gender Equality and PLCPD Adviser on Women, Children and Youth, recognized the essential role of legislation in strengthening women’s participation in peacebuilding and protecting women from conflict-related violence.

Speakers from OPAPRU WPS Center of Excellence and the Bangsamoro Commission on Women presented updates on the National Action Plan on WPS (NAPWPS 2023-2033) and the Bangsamoro Regional Action Plan on WPS (RAPWPS 2023-2028).

The WEAct 1325 network shared ongoing groundwork in advocating for WPS legislation including national laws on Transitional Justice and Reconciliation, the Rights of Internally Displaced Persons, and Human Rights Defenders Protection. The importance of involving the security sector in WPS localization and mainstreaming was also highlighted in the discussions.

PLCPD ED Aurora Quilala emphasized the organization’s role in working with multiple sectors for the advancement of the WPS Legislative Agenda. This agenda includes:

  1. Institutionalization of women and children protection units
  2. Transitional Justice and Reconciliation Act
  3. Protection of the rights of Internally Displaced Persons
  4. Human Rights Defenders Protection
  5. Anti-discrimination on the basis of SOGIESC or SOGIE equality

We look forward to strengthening multisectoral collaboration for advancing the WPS LAs in the 20th Congress, and exploring potential areas of collaboration with legislators and their staff.

Special thanks to our partners from Philippine Commission on Women, United Youth of the Philippines-Women, Al Mujaadila Women’s Association, Maguindanao Alliance of Youth Advocates, and Sigay Nu Mga Babay Association for sharing their stories from the ground.