THE Autonomous Regional Government in Mindanao (ASGM) said the number of women working in the province has increased with some of them holding key positions in the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).
ARMM Regional Gov. Mujiv S. Hataman said women are indispensable in establishing peace, stability and economic and social progress in Mindanao, which was proven by the women who served and are serving in the autonomous regional government.
“I take pride in the record number of women occupying key posts in the regional government—all very capable women. In the same breath, I salute all our fellow women workers in the rank and file of the Autonomous Regional Government, whose contribution to the success of our everyday work is immeasurable,” he said on the celebration of National Women’s Month.
Hataman said the ASGM joined the rest of the nation and the world in celebrating women’s month.
He took cognizance of all Moro women who are respected in various fields, such as education, health, human rights and securing durable peace in Mindanao.
“The world has always regarded women in the ARMM for their grace, courage and resilience. These are the women who, for centuries, have boldly stood by their male counterparts to resist the countless attempts of foreign powers to establish dominion over their homeland. And today they persist amid the on-and-off conflicts of our time, and in the everyday struggle that life throws at them,” he said.
He also noted that society, especially women themselves, no longer subscribe to the idea that women are victims—helpless and susceptible to adversities and to the difficulties that some people impose on them. “Women of our time want to rise up and take a meaningful role in advancing society,” he said.
However, he added there are still a significant number of women in the region today who remain subjects of repression, to some varying degrees and forms, and are disempowered due to illiteracy, displacement and poverty.
The working government of the ARMM is committed to enabling women to take their rightful place in the society apart from protecting them from all forms of abuse.