Canada works with Philippine partners to advance the Women, Peace, and Security agenda in Southeast Asia

April 22, 2024 - Defence Stories 

Author: Lieutenant-Commander Delphine Bonnardot, PhD, Women, Peace and Security and IWGPAF instructor in the Philippines

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Panelists discuss Gender Responsive Leadership.
Photo credit: LCdr Delphine Bonnardot, March 2024

On 1 March 2024, the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Military Training and Cooperation Program (MTCP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) co-hosted a Symposium on Gender-Responsive Leadership in Manila. This key leader engagement event marked the conclusion of the MTCP’s Integration of Women and Gender Perspectives in Armed Forces (IWGPAF) workshop delivered from February 26 to March 1, 2024.

These events were held in support of Canada's Indo-Pacific Strategy, which calls for greater engagement, cooperation and collaboration with regional partners, including through an increased Canadian defence presence in the region. Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy includes $7.6 million to advance the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda in the region. This investment will support the meaningful participation of women within armed forces and in addressing the transnational, tradition, and non-traditional security challenges that we all face.

The IWGPAF workshop brought together 37 participants from the armed forces of Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, and the Philippines, to exchange on the implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325 in different countries.

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Instructors for the Integration of Women and Gender Perspectives in Armed Forces workshop.
Photo credit: Philippines Armed Forces, March 2024.

The Symposium enabled senior leaders to join the conversation following the close of the IWGPAF workshop. Symposium delegates included Brigadier General Krishnamurti Mortela from the AFP, His Excellency David Hartman, Ambassador of Canada in the Philippines, Defense Attaches from Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore, Executive Director Susana Marcaida from the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (Philippines), and panelists representing organizations such as the CAF, the Philippines Department of National Defence Gender and Development (GAD) Offices, and UN Women.

"Today's demonstration of support for UNSCR 1325 and the Women, Peace, and Security agenda underscores a commitment to shared values. The diverse representation from countries across the Indo-Pacific region is a testament to the collaborative vision outlined in Canada's Indo-Pacific Strategy [...]," stated His Excellency David Hartman, Ambassador of Canada in the Philippines.

The event offered a platform for senior leaders to discuss organizational culture and share best practices in support of advancing the WPS agenda. Discussions revealed that, challenges remain to the meaningful integration of women within security and defence institutions.

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Official picture, Integration of Women and Gender Perspectives Workshop.
Photo credit: Philippines Armed Forces, March 2024.

Promoting gender equality and women's rights is a priority shared by Canada and many of its Southeast Asian partners and advancing the WPS agenda requires collaborative action from leaders spanning various sectors and regions.

"In the Armed Forces of the Philippines we firmly uphold the belief that promoting gender equality and upholding the principles of the Women, Peace, and Security agenda are paramount. Recently, our nation unveiled its National Action Plan, underscoring our dedication to fostering opportunities for the advancement of women," said Brigadier General Krishnamurti Mortela, AFP.

By working together and promoting inclusivity and equality, we can strengthen our defence institutions, making them more resilient in the face of today’s complex and evolving security challenges.

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