A GLOBAL women’s organization has launched peace initiatives in the Philippines by designating April 26 as International Women’s Peace Day, promoting the cessation of war and the realization of global peace.
“This day is about encouraging women peace advocates—regardless of borders, race, religion, or ideology—to continue working for peace, with the hope that many more women will join the movement,” said Na Hyeong Jeon, Secretary General of the International Women’s Peace Group (IWPG).
Jeon, along with other visitors, was in the country for the recent commemoration event hosted by the local government of Kapalong in Davao del Norte.
In a statement, IWPG called on women across the globe “to join hands in the pursuit of peace.”
“Bringing the IWPG branch managers to the Philippines will hopefully promote more collaborations for peace, especially after witnessing the peace initiatives already in place in the country,” the group added.
Other IWPG officials who joined the event included Hwi Young Lee, Bitna Lee, Hyeju Park, Cecilia Ao (IWPG Hong Kong branch manager), Cathy Xuan (IWPG Shanghai team leader), Jiong Xu (IWPG Shanghai member), Ana Milana Puspita Sari (IWPG Jakarta, Indonesia branch manager), Noinsen Elita Helpria Rumapea (IWPG Indonesia public relations officer), April Otadoy (IWPG Manila branch manager), and Crysthel Catalan (IWPG Manila secretary).
Also present were IWPG Kapalong officials and members, graduates of the Peace Lecturer Training Education (PLTE), wives of pastors from the Moral Recovery Program (MRP), and other peace advocates from LGU-Kapalong.
“The initiative aims to unite women across the world who share a motherly heart and a desire to protect the lives of their children and future generations,” IWPG stated.
IWPG is an international non-governmental organization with special consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (UN ECOSOC). The group seeks “to find a fundamental solution for all conflicts and wars—from those between individuals to those between states—and to build a new order that will establish a sustainable world of peace.” (Ronald Reyes/SunStar Philippines)