ediation is a constructive conflict resolution method facilitated by a neutral third party who initiates the process by establishing ground rules. This approach adopts a problem–solving method where both parties express their concerns and interests. With the mediator's guidance, they collaborate toward a mutually beneficial solution. Peace mediation extends beyond formal negotiations to encompass dialogue encouragement, negotiation facilitation, and peacebuilding initiatives that aid in implementing agreements. This transformative approach shifts mediation from a mere agreement–seeking process to a participatory and inclusive endeavor.
In many communities within and beyond the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), mediation has traditionally been viewed as the domain of men—village elders, traditional leaders, and respected male figures called upon to resolve land disputes and family feuds or clan conflicts—a process known as ‘rido.’ However, a growing number of women are quietly stepping into this space, offering a different approach grounded in empathy, active listening, and community trust—and they are making a significant impact.
The United Nations agency UN Women emphasizes the importance of women’s participation in mediation, and this isn’t just a call for inclusivity. It is a recognition that women possess unique skills, perspectives, and access often overlooked in male–dominated processes. In BARMM, where decades of conflict have left deep scars in both formal institutions and family relations, women are proving to be essential mediators, especially in contexts where conflicts are deeply personal and culturally sensitive.
In North Cotabato, the emergence of Tupo na Tao sa Laya–Women (TTLAW) in 2020, under the leadership of Babu Connie Dumato, marked a pivotal moment. These women began intervening in conflicts—rido, land disputes, even cases of murder—initially working quietly and informally. Their persistence and effectiveness eventually earned respect within the community, with men endorsing them as interim mediators, a groundbreaking development in a traditionally patriarchal setting.
Since 2021, I have had the privilege of supporting emerging women mediators in BARMM through mediation training organized by UN Women Asia and Pacific. These trainings not only impart theoretical knowledge but also build practical skills in conflict analysis, simulate real–life cases, and create safe spaces for women to hone their abilities.
These women do not merely mediate—they comprehend the entire conflict context. They bring deep community knowledge, sensitivity to family dynamics, and the ability to listen without judgment. Often, they are the first to detect rising tensions and offer preventive measures before violence erupts, though their path is fraught with challenges.
Women mediators in BARMM face significant hurdles: lack of formal recognition, resistance from male–dominated mediation councils, and risks to personal safety. The unpaid nature of mediation and the immense time and emotional commitment required further compound these challenges. In some communities, male mediators are still preferred for high-risk disputes, highlighting internal disparities.
Nevertheless, women persist in claiming their place at the mediation table. The Ministry of Public Order and Safety's initiatives to empower Bangsamoro women reflect this commitment, exemplified by the Bae a Tomanor sa Ranaw (BT’Ra), a group of Maranao women in Lanao del Sur supported by MPOS since 2023 and trained in conflict resolution tailored to their needs. Members of this group handle a wide range of local cases, from inheritance disputes to gender-based violence, approaching each situation with compassion and clarity.
Recently, 25 members of BT’Ra women underwent intensive training supported by the Government of Canada through UN Women Philippines and MPOS. They gained tools for conflict analysis, practiced mediation through role-plays, and prepared for leadership roles as community mediators.
During this training, women don’t just learn, they undergo transformation. These women were not seeking permission to mediate—they were asserting their rightful role based on lived experiences and a profound commitment to healing broken relationships.
The urgency is undeniable. Clan conflicts in BARMM directly involve and impact women, which makes their inclusion in mediation not just appropriate, but absolutely essential. Women mediators deeply understand the emotional toll of unresolved conflicts. Because they carry the stories and burdens of conflict, they are uniquely equipped to deliver the solutions.
Women mediators in BARMM are not merely expanding traditional structures; they are redefining them. They exemplify that mediation is not about power or position, but about presence, trust, and the boldness to confront pain until it transforms into possibility. Supporting women mediators goes beyond recognizing their invaluable work; it is essential for making mediation more responsive, inclusive, and ultimately, more effective.
Let us listen to them. Let us learn from them. And above all, let us stand beside them as they continue to lead—one conversation, one compromise, one community at a time.
a global affairs media network
Women mediators bridge divides in conflict–affected regions
August 5, 2025
Peace mediation in conflict–affected regions throughout Southeast Asia has typically been the domain of men. Increasingly, however, women are taking an active role and proving the essential role women can play in resolving long–standing strife, writes Jamila–Aisha P. Sanguila
M
ediation is a constructive conflict resolution method facilitated by a neutral third party who initiates the process by establishing ground rules. This approach adopts a problem–solving method where both parties express their concerns and interests. With the mediator's guidance, they collaborate toward a mutually beneficial solution. Peace mediation extends beyond formal negotiations to encompass dialogue encouragement, negotiation facilitation, and peacebuilding initiatives that aid in implementing agreements. This transformative approach shifts mediation from a mere agreement–seeking process to a participatory and inclusive endeavor.
In many communities within and beyond the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), mediation has traditionally been viewed as the domain of men—village elders, traditional leaders, and respected male figures called upon to resolve land disputes and family feuds or clan conflicts—a process known as ‘rido.’ However, a growing number of women are quietly stepping into this space, offering a different approach grounded in empathy, active listening, and community trust—and they are making a significant impact.
The United Nations agency UN Women emphasizes the importance of women’s participation in mediation, and this isn’t just a call for inclusivity. It is a recognition that women possess unique skills, perspectives, and access often overlooked in male–dominated processes. In BARMM, where decades of conflict have left deep scars in both formal institutions and family relations, women are proving to be essential mediators, especially in contexts where conflicts are deeply personal and culturally sensitive.
In North Cotabato, the emergence of Tupo na Tao sa Laya–Women (TTLAW) in 2020, under the leadership of Babu Connie Dumato, marked a pivotal moment. These women began intervening in conflicts—rido, land disputes, even cases of murder—initially working quietly and informally. Their persistence and effectiveness eventually earned respect within the community, with men endorsing them as interim mediators, a groundbreaking development in a traditionally patriarchal setting.
Since 2021, I have had the privilege of supporting emerging women mediators in BARMM through mediation training organized by UN Women Asia and Pacific. These trainings not only impart theoretical knowledge but also build practical skills in conflict analysis, simulate real–life cases, and create safe spaces for women to hone their abilities.
These women do not merely mediate—they comprehend the entire conflict context. They bring deep community knowledge, sensitivity to family dynamics, and the ability to listen without judgment. Often, they are the first to detect rising tensions and offer preventive measures before violence erupts, though their path is fraught with challenges.
Women mediators in BARMM face significant hurdles: lack of formal recognition, resistance from male–dominated mediation councils, and risks to personal safety. The unpaid nature of mediation and the immense time and emotional commitment required further compound these challenges. In some communities, male mediators are still preferred for high-risk disputes, highlighting internal disparities.
Nevertheless, women persist in claiming their place at the mediation table. The Ministry of Public Order and Safety's initiatives to empower Bangsamoro women reflect this commitment, exemplified by the Bae a Tomanor sa Ranaw (BT’Ra), a group of Maranao women in Lanao del Sur supported by MPOS since 2023 and trained in conflict resolution tailored to their needs. Members of this group handle a wide range of local cases, from inheritance disputes to gender-based violence, approaching each situation with compassion and clarity.
Recently, 25 members of BT’Ra women underwent intensive training supported by the Government of Canada through UN Women Philippines and MPOS. They gained tools for conflict analysis, practiced mediation through role-plays, and prepared for leadership roles as community mediators.
During this training, women don’t just learn, they undergo transformation. These women were not seeking permission to mediate—they were asserting their rightful role based on lived experiences and a profound commitment to healing broken relationships.
The urgency is undeniable. Clan conflicts in BARMM directly involve and impact women, which makes their inclusion in mediation not just appropriate, but absolutely essential. Women mediators deeply understand the emotional toll of unresolved conflicts. Because they carry the stories and burdens of conflict, they are uniquely equipped to deliver the solutions.
Women mediators in BARMM are not merely expanding traditional structures; they are redefining them. They exemplify that mediation is not about power or position, but about presence, trust, and the boldness to confront pain until it transforms into possibility. Supporting women mediators goes beyond recognizing their invaluable work; it is essential for making mediation more responsive, inclusive, and ultimately, more effective.
Let us listen to them. Let us learn from them. And above all, let us stand beside them as they continue to lead—one conversation, one compromise, one community at a time.
