Gagandilan Mindanao Women Inc. Honored as National Peace Champion with the Gawad Kapayapaan 2026

SULU, PHILIPPINES — Gagandilan Mindanao Women Inc. (GMWI) marks a profound milestone in its ongoing commitment to grassroots peacebuilding as it receives the prestigious Gawad Kapayapaan 2026, officially designating the organization as a National Peace Champion.

Issued by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU), the Gawad Kapayapaan recognizes GMWI’s transformative work across Mindanao, particularly in communities historically impacted by armed conflict and instability.

A Shared Honor

This national recognition is not merely an achievement for GMWI as an institution; it is a tribute to the resilient spirit of the women of Sulu and Mindanao. It belongs to every Gagandilan woman, widow, survivor, youth advocate, and community leader who has repeatedly chosen courage, healing, and dialogue over division.

"This award belongs to the brave women who turned their personal pain into community purpose," said a GMWI representative. "From conflict-affected neighborhoods to local peace tables, women have proven that they are not just victims of war, but indispensable architects of lasting peace."

Grateful for Key Partnerships

The journey to grassroots peace requires collective action. GMWI extends its heartfelt appreciation to:

• The Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU): For conferring this meaningful award and continuously elevating the voice of grassroots peacebuilders.

• The Provincial Government of Sulu & Local Municipalities: For creating enabling environments for local peace initiatives and inclusive governance.

• Security Sector Partners: For establishing trust, safety, and constructive collaboration in sensitive communities.

• Funding Organizations, National Line Agencies, & Civil Society: For providing the vital resources and institutional backing necessary to sustain long-term impact.

Advancing Women, Peace, and Security (WPS)

Through these strategic partnerships, GMWI has reinforced critical initiatives across Mindanao:

1. Women, Peace, and Security (WPS Agenda): Elevating women’s leadership in peace negotiations, policy advocacy, and community governance.

2. Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (P/CVE): Building community resilience through early warning mechanisms, dialogue, and youth engagement.

3. Economic Empowerment & Healing: Providing sustainable livelihood opportunities and psychosocial support for widows and conflict survivors.

Looking Ahead

As GMWI accepts this national honor, it reaffirms its dedication to building peace from the ground up—one woman, one family, and one community at a time.

Gagandilan Mindanao Women Inc. — Courageous women, courageous communities, building peace together.

SOUTH EAST ASIAN NETWORK OF CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS WORKING TOGETHER AGAINST VIOLENT EXTREMISM WORKSHOP

Bali Indonesia, December 10-12 GWMI, represented by E.D. Wahida Abdulla as memeber of the SEAN-CSO  attended the capacity building workshop of the South East Asian Network of Civil Society Organizations (SEAN-CSO), conducted in Bali Indonesia.SEAN-CSO is working together in prevention of violent extremism. This  workshop will focus on sustainability, with a view to provide specialized training and seed funding to CSOs who are creating sustainable programs. this workshop was organized by Deakin University and coordination with Australia Indonesia Partnership  for Justice 2 (AIPJ2). GMWI was able to share the NAP P/CVE during workshop to provide output for Philippines P/CVE  currently engaging on the grounds. support for social enterprise was one of the highlight of the workshop where participating member was provided seed fund to sustain  and strengthen social enterprise engagement on the grounds. Australia's approach to CVE was presented by Olivia Howell, Director international partnership CVe, Countering violent extremism Centre orientation on challenging hateful extremism discussed by Prof. Greg Barton of Deakin University, and how to strengthen SEAN-CSO Communication was facilitated by Dr. Matteo Vergani, Senior lecturer in Sociology and Senior Research Fellow at Deakin ADI

GMWI, as member of the advisory group, project circle

Project Circle Team

Cotabato City, October 9, 2019 the Project CIRCLE Advisory Group Meeting led by Sam Chittick (The Asia Foundation Country Representative) with Asec Alex Macario (DILG), Ayi Hernandez (OPAPP), Prof. Ruffa Guiam (Academe), and Wahida Abdulla (CSO Island Provinces)

GMWI participated the 2-days workshop on Strategic planning for political party

Prof. Akram Latiph of IPDM, resource speaker

Prof. Frank kayitare of the International IDEA

Cotabato city, October 15, 2019 GMWI representation as civil society organization to Strategic Planning for Political Parties: A Practical tool, organized by CBCS and International IDEA. this 2-days workshop aims to enhance and scale up the participation of CSO in BARMM given the opportunity provided by the newly created government. this workshop provide avenue for the CSO to interact and provide output to move forward the objectives of creating a political party for CSO.

MP Sahie Udjah, resource speaker

alexandria of GMWi and other participants from Marawi, Davao and Tawi-Tawi

 GMWI, Courtesy visit

Cotabato City, October 16, 2019 GMWI, Sulu youth network and Tau-SPARTAN Leadcom oragnization made Courtesy visit to the office of Member of the Parliament HON. Zesar Alil, special thanks to his Lovely wife madam Totoh Minmin for facilitating our visit.

GMWI delegates with MP Zesar Alil and his lovely wife 

GMWI, observer at the Bangsamoro Transiti0nal Authority Session

Alexandria GMWI executive director 

GMWI delegates with MP Prof. Adzfar Usman

Bangsamoro Transition Authority Parliamnet

Alexandria GMWI executive director with MP Abdullah Macapaar
 a.k.a. commander bravo

Cotabato City, October 16,2019 The Gagandilan Mindanao women was given an opportunity to observe the session of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority Parliament and meet and greet with some honorable members of the parliament the like of MP Adzfar Usman, MP Abdullah Macapaar a.k.a. Commander Baravo. the parliament welcome observer and allows to observe and be part of the session as audience and recognize by the secretary general their attendance during the session, this government promote moral governance and inclusive participation for the civil society organization.

GMWI joins in commemorting Malisbong Massacre

GMWI Executive Director Ms. Wahida Abdullah and members participate
in commemorating the 45th anniversary of the 1974 Malisbong Massacre. 

Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat (24 September 2019) - Gagandilan Mindanao Women Inc. (GMWI) joins a multi-stakeholders gathering in this town for the first formal commemoration of the 1974 Malisbong Palimbang massacre. The commemoration is organized by Transitional Justice Independent Working Group, Consortium of Bagsamoro Civil Society (CBCS), and the Palimbang local government in Sultan Kudarat province.

At the event, it is announce that the Sangguniang Bayan of Palimbang had passed a resolution officially commemorating the massacre every year in order for the lessons of the past be not forgotten and as a reminder that no one wins in the perpetuation of wars and culture of violence and to begin healing for the future generations.

The commemoration is also dub as a peace walk participated by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Bagsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF), local students and Mindanao peace advocates. 

GMWI staff join by participants from Sulu and Zamboanga.