Spotlighting the Women, Peace and Security Legislative Agenda this National Women’s Month

March 26, 2026

Legislators and government agencies committed to strengthening the women, peace and security legislative agenda in a policy forum last March 3 at the House of Representatives. The initiative was organized by PLCPD, in partnership with the Committee on Women and Gender Equality chaired by Rep. Ann Matibag and with the support of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation.

In her opening message, Rep. Ann Matibag urged legislators to pass laws that will ensure inclusive peacebuilding: “The Philippines has taken pride in being a global and regional leader in advancing the WPS agenda. Our challenge in the 20th Congress is to sustain that leadership by translating commitments into concrete, responsive, and adequately funded legislation–laws that protect children in situations of conflict, uphold the rights of internally displaced persons, and ensure accountability for human rights violations.”

The OPAPRU Women, Peace and Security Center of Excellence, led by ED Susana Marcaida, presented updates on the NAPWPS4 and strategic areas for legislative action

PLCPD Director of Knowledge Resource Center, Angie Ramirez, presented the organization’s legislative agenda on WPS:

  • Institutionalization of women and children protection units
  • Transitional Justice and Reconciliation Act
  • Protection of the rights of Internally Displaced Persons
  • Human Rights Defenders Protection
  • Comprehensive anti-discrimination on the basis of age, race, religion, SOGIESC

Bridging this discussion, the following key authors who are all PLCPD members presented the salience of their bills to strengthening WPS:

  • Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula, author of the Transitional Justice and Reconciliation Act for the Bangsamoro which will address legitimate grievances, historical injustices, and marginalization of the Bangsamoro.
  • Rep. Krisel Lagman, Rep. Sarah Elago, and Rep. Renee Co, authors of bills on Human Rights Defenders Protection (HRD) which will guarantee the protection of human rights defenders from intimidation, violence, and reprisals, and ensure accountability for abuses.

Commitments for adopting the WPS legislative agenda were also made by Rep. Joeman Alba who is also a PLCPD member, Rep. Richelle Singson, Rep. Roger Mercado, and Rep. Agatha Cruz.

Government agencies, namely the Armed Forces of the Philippines, AFP Gender and Development Office, Department of Interior and Local Government, Department of Budget and Management, National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, National Commission on Muslim Filipinos, and Council for the Welfare of Children all committed to strengthening WPS institutionalization through stronger inter-agency coordination.

WEAct 1325, Oxfam Pilipinas, and Sigay Nu Mga Babay Association — CSOs who’ve led in NAPWPS community consultations and advocacy — expressed support for strengthening WPS implementation and urged duty-bearers to listen to the voices of communities.

The policy forum was accompanied by an art exhibit that showcased stories of women’s leadership in peacebuilding, development, and security. We thank our collaborators WPS Center of Excellence, WEAct 1325, Sigay Nu Mga Babay Association, United Youth of the Philippines-Women, and the Maguindanao Alliance of Youth Advocates for bringing important stories to light.

PLCPD is dedicated to strengthening multisectoral and multistakeholder collaboration for advancing the WPS legislative agenda in the 20th Congress, es emphasized by PLCPD Deputy Executive Director Nenita Dalde.