IM Women: Forging a Better and Brighter Future for the Girls and Women of Marawi
The Initiative for Mawawi Women or IM Women aims to help women displaced by the war in Marawi through psychosocial, political and economic empowerment. Image from the Facebook account of Austian Embassy Manila.
I admit that my childhood was anything but ordinary. Not only was I whisked to a foreign land in a heartbeat at the tender age of 8, one that I happily call my second home, but I was also almost always surrounded by women. All. The. Time. In Manila, there was the "Yaya" or Nanny, Aunts or "Titas," Lola Itchay who was my maternal grandmother, cousins, and close female family friends of either my Mom and/or Dad. In Austria, there were my dear classmates, Elfriede my German tutor, Mama Rosa who was like my second mom, Frau Freistätter who would help me with my homework every once in a while, Swetla the spouse of one of my Dad's good friends, my sister-out-law Liliana, and of course, my Mom. There isn't anything wrong with that per se but having that kind of support system and mentoring does have its unique advantages. Little did I know that their support would impact me for life.
As I matured, I learned to absorb the rationale behind these intelligent, kind and headstrong women whose morals and models I've tried to mimic and put into practice to this very day. These women were my constant. They were my life.
The ultimate challenge came when I entered into the phase of motherhood. It was a daily struggle in the beginning -- from the exhaustion of long nights due to feeding -- to the emotional strain of not being in control. I knew I had to take it a day at a time. I felt that I was undertaking a comprehensive exam trying to make use of the knowledge I gained from the years of cumulative learning from the women in my tribe. The demands of motherhood were daunting -- it still is sometimes, but the assurance of support that these women provide makes me feel secure, I know they have my back. And in today's society where raising a child is laden with more difficulties as compared to decades passed, I think that now, more than ever, a sense of community and support matters even more.
When the events of Marawi unfolded, resulting in chaos and devastation of the neighborhood, most especially its people, I believed that the women and children suffered most. In truth, it is the women and the youth who truly languish in these circumstances, in the Philippines or elsewhere in the world. My heart went out to all of them, both as a mother and as a daughter. Their struggle isn't something new, conflicts are bound to sprout here and there. However, when you add the existing principles of gender inequality, poverty, and socio-economic disenfranchisement of an already physically and psychologically affected population, then the chances of rising up from the ashes become bleak.
Something had to be done. We cannot sit around and wait for assistance to arrive, especially when such travesties happen in our shores. The questions that stand are these: who will provide aid, how will it be done, and how can one sustain it? The key in all of this lies on those with the knowledge of the people's circumstance, more specifically, how to skillfully eradicate existing barriers from all fronts -- economic, social, cultural, political and religious, with the primary focus on women and girls in Marawi.
Ambassador Bita Rasoulian hosted a fundraising dinner last December for the Initiative for Marawi Women (IM Women) with guest of honor, Mayor Majul Gandamra of the City Government of Marawi. The event was held at the Austrian residence, which was decorated with textiles woven by Maranao women in SINAGTALA PH’s weaving center in Marawi. Image from the Facebook account of the Austrian Embassy Manila.
The house of the Austrian Ambassador was decked with textiles from the women of Marawi along with added information about its designs on display. Image from the Facebook account of the Austrian Embassy Manila.
The challenge was great, but not impossible. Collaborative minds from the Austrian Embassy Manila, SPARK Philippines, and the Assisi Foundation teamed up to seek the support of ongoing efforts towards sustainable peace and security by promoting gender sensitivity as well as strengthening the economic and political role of women in the rehabilitation of Marawi, thus resulting in the Initiative for Marawi Women. Also known as the IM Women, the project also works hand in hand with other organizations namely, the DILG, Sinagtala PH, Mindanao State University, Havas Media Ortega and ArteFino, with the support of the City Government of Marawi and UPS Philippines. This 12-month project which began in September 2018, addresses poverty, social injustice, and gender inequality, bearing in mind the cultural and religious background of the girls and women in the predominantly Muslim city through programs that tailor to their specific needs.
Weaving her own future. Image from the Facebook account of Austian Embassy Manila.
Project Scope and Statement
IM Women will result in the psychosocial, political, and economic empowerment of 100 displaced women and girls from selected Muslim communities in war-torn Marawi City through the three main programs of SPARK!:
1. Girls’ and Women’s Empowerment. These include self-esteem and trauma healing workshops.
2. Women's Economic Empowerment. These include livelihood and skills training.
3. Gender and Development training for the leaders of the selected barangays/communities where the project beneficiaries reside.
Beneficiaries
• 100 women and girls. Individuals ages14 and above.
• 12 leaders from selected barangays/communities where the recipients reside
Project Site:
The project site will situate in Saguiaran, Balo-i, and Dayawan
Project Objectives
The primary objective aims to allow the beneficiaries to regain resilience and a healthy mental state. The project seeks to equip them with the knowledge and skills required to pursue income-generating initiatives that empower them economically which can be performed continuously. It strives to encourage gender sensitivity to promote gender equality and strengthen the participation of women in the socio-political sphere.
Project outcomes are as such:
1. Increase the participation of young girls and women, honing them as equal partners in rebuilding the city, restoring peace and security, reestablishing education and working towards sustainable development in Marawi City.
2. Enhance the knowledge of women in business operations through training in financial management/bookkeeping, project management, and business practices.
3. Capacitate women with livelihood skills, centered on weaving, to serve as their main income-generating economic activity.
4. Reinforce the role of government, especially the local government and community leaders, in women’s empowerment, gender equality, as well as in sustainable livelihood projects for women.
5. Promote intercultural and interreligious exchange and encourage Intercultural and interfaith dialogue between Manila and Marawi through the promotion of Muslim-Maranaoan art as a peaceful point of contact.
Every little girl knows what it was like to have one of these as a child. Image from the Facebook account of the Austrian Embassy Manila and TALA PH.
Rehabilitation and support to war-torn areas is nothing new, what makes this project sound is that it's centered on women survivors as they provide a powerful instrument for change. The initiative allows women to move forward from the war with a step-by-step guide to properly manage restoration by focusing on their unique situation as women in a mostly male-dominated, conservative society, deeply rooted in religion. Here, significant factors such as the way of life were considered. One cannot merely develop an economic empowerment livelihood program to women who do not readily understand the task nor its relevance to their society, one must dig deeper and search for the connection.
These textiles will mean a change in the lives of these women of Marawi. Image from the Facebook account of the Austrian Embassy Manila and TALA PH.
This is where weaving comes in. Marawi has a strong affinity to its heritage where weaving remains as the artistic thread that binds the women together. Thus, the initiative's livelihood program was set. Moreover, the addition of essential training aids supplement other new and needed courses such as psychosocial rehabilitation, financial and business practices that were once perhaps alien to this crowd. Just like associates, the men of Marawi also become the initiatives' partners as they too become the visible support system and begin the steps towards healing together as a people.
Having fun with the looms. Image from the Facebook account of the Austrian Embassy Manila and TALA PH.
If there's one thing that I've realized as I live on my day-to-day, wearing different hats as I go along -- as a daughter, mom, wife, family member, and friend -- I've come to know that women as a whole form an incredible bond between one another. They become each other's source of strength, unlike anything I've ever seen. I am lucky to have them manifest in all aspects of my life, these special girls and women are: my family, my women of faith, my stronghold, and my barkada (group). It is through them that I have remained steadfast in this sometimes harrowing journey we call life, to have the courage to wipe away the tears and face another day. Fortitude and resilience, these are what I've learned most from my tribe. I'd like to believe that I've learned from the best of the best.
Learning to how to weave together from each other. Image from the Facebook account of the Austrian Embassy Manila and TALA PH.
The women in Marawi deserve nothing less. As they tread on the weary road of life towards recovery and rehabilitation, they require a support system that will help them rise above and go beyond the duties and responsibilities that are otherwise confined within its city walls. It's the kind of support system from which we can all participate together — as women for other women.
This is no ordinary group of women, the women of Marawi are the image of strength and resilience. Image from the Facebook account of the Austrian Embassy Manila and TALA PH.
Living through the devastation and torment these women have endured is genuinely heart-wrenching. Indeed, their woes are unlike the all-too-shallow complaints and grievances of ordinary life. No, they have suffered and experienced misery first-hand, palpable and very real. Now that time has allowed the wounds to heal, and start anew, let us all do our share (as men and women alike) and continue to help alleviate the pain, eradicate the fear, and support these women and girls not just to survive but more importantly ... to thrive.
Know how you can support this initiative! Contact Spark Philippines at (02) 426 7200 for more information. You may also check out their website at http://sparkphilippines.org/IMWomen/?fbclid=IwAR0Battzr3KZTicv3txxZbOMOQ4rxDV3GRdYxcbtQKpsWk7lgTLMnV7NL9M
