Manila, Philippines – The Women’s Alliance for Security and Peace (WASP) welcomed faculty members from the Diploma in Women, Peace, and Security (DWPS) program at Mindanao State University-Maguindanao (MSU-Maguindanao) for an insightful learning visit on February 20, 2025. The session served as a platform for knowledge exchange, strengthening partnerships, and deepening the commitment to advancing the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda in the Philippines.
The engagement brought together DWPS faculty members eager to gain insights from WASP’s experiences in promoting WPS initiatives across various sectors. The session aimed to enhance understanding of current challenges, cybersecurity threats, and emerging security concerns, as well as foster collaboration for future projects, as well as further development of the DWPS curriculum.
Leading the discussion was Jona Villasante, WASP Executive Director, who underscored the critical role of civil society in shaping and advocating for WPS policies in the country. “WASP remains steadfast in its mission to bridge gaps in security and peacebuilding, particularly for women and marginalized communities. This exchange is a step forward in building a stronger, more inclusive network for WPS advocacy,” Villasante emphasized.
Nicole Namuco, WASP Operations Lead, highlighted the organization’s ongoing projects and their impact on women’s security and empowerment. “Through our initiatives, we ensure that the principles of WPS are not just theoretical frameworks but are actively integrated into local and national policies,” Namuco stated.
Pamela Mejia, WASP Lead for Livelihood, introduced REIGNA, a livelihood program designed to support women in post-conflict communities. She stressed the importance of economic empowerment as a pillar of sustainable peace.
Meanwhile, Karlota Jamoralin, a WASP advocate, shared insights on WASP’s future projects on maritime security, an increasingly critical issue in ensuring gender-responsive security strategies in coastal and conflict-prone areas.
This engagement underscores WASP’s unwavering commitment to collaborative learning and strengthening partnerships in advancing the WPS agenda. The discussions paved the way for potential joint initiatives between WASP and MSU-Maguindanao, further reinforcing the role of academia and civil society in achieving sustainable peace and security in the Philippines.