GENERAL SANTOS CITY: The Bangsamoro government through the Bangsamoro Women Commission (BWC) convened the gender focal point system of various ministries/agencies/offices to formulate new Gender and Development (GAD) Agenda for inclusive and gender–responsive programs on March 27–31, 2023, in this city. According to BWC Chairman Bainon Karon, the conduct of this activity, the GAD Agenda formulation, is vital in strengthening gender mainstreaming in the Bangsamoro region. Karon said this is a big help for gender initiatives in the BARMM region. Based on the Philippine Commission on Women Memorandum Circular 2018-04, the GAD Agenda is a vital process to ensure a well-prepared GAD Planning and Budgeting as well as the GAD Accomplishment Report. Simultaneously, the finalization of the Regional Action Plan on Peace, Women and Security (RAP–WPS) was also held in this city. The RAP–WPS is a 10-year action plan intended to address the various needs of women and to establish a more concrete and gender-sensitive plan for the promotion of the protection of women towards achieving sustainable peace and gender equality in the Bangsamoro region. The activity was supported by the United Nations Development Program, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women, the United Kingdom government, and Australian Aid. The BWC also culminated the celebration of National Women's Month in the region on Friday, March 31.
