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Rebel panel appointments draw praise

Women get chance to help forge peace deal and end Mindanao insurgency
Rebel panel appointments draw praise
Women
Published: July 15, 2011 08:53 AM GMT
Updated: July 15, 2011 08:53 AM GMT

Peace groups welcomed today the appointment of two women as consultants to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front’s (MILF)peace panel. The Mindanao Peoples Caucussaid the appointments of lawyer Raissa Jajurie and Bai Cabaybay Abubakar yesterday is a "breakthrough in women's global efforts" to advance and operationalize United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325. The resolution, adopted in 2000, reaffirmed the important role women have in issues such as the prevention and resolution of conflicts and peace negotiations. "We thank the MILF leadership for finally responding to the call of women to have an active and meaningful participation in the peace talks," said Mary Ann Arnado, the caucus secretary-general. She said her organization "salutes the peace panel for finally heeding to the persistent demands and assertions of women." The caucus described Jajurie as "a highly credible and well respected leader from civil society." Her appointment "definitely addresses the need for the representation of women in the peace talks," Arnado said. Jajurie pledged to do her best to try and bring a lasting peace in Mindanao. "If I can make just a humble contribution to the process that could resolve the Bangsamoro [native inhabitants of Mindanao] question, I will not shrink from it," she said. Jajurie used to head the Bangsamoro Women’s Rights group and is coordinator of the Center for Alternative Legal Services. Cabaybay, who belongs to the Maguindanao tribal group, is president of the Shariff Kabunsuan College in Cotabato City.

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