The Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU), through its Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Center of Excellence, in partnership with the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW), UN Women, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), convened the Philippine Conference on Women, Peace and Security from 28–30 October 2025 at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), Pasay City.

As part of this national platform, OPAPRU, through its Social Healing and Peacebuilding Office (SHAPEO), hosted the side event “Voices of Strength: Indigenous Women Leading Peace and Security.” The dialogue highlighted the resilience, leadership, and contributions of Indigenous Women as peacebuilders and stewards of their ancestral domains.

Biyo Alma Omo, President of the Ata Women Association of Paquibato, shared their Indigenous Cultural Community’s (ICC) ongoing journey toward socio-economic development and lasting peace, with women emerging as a powerful driving force. 

The Ata Indigenous Cultural Community (ICC) of Paquibato District, Davao City, is among the oldest and most resilient Indigenous groups in Mindanao. Historically affected by colonial land loss, displacement, and militarization, the Ata have     reasserted their right to peace and self-determination under the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act (IPRA) of 1997.

Through partnerships with the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), LGU Davao, and Peace 911, the Ata reclaimed ancestral lands and revitalized community governance under the guidance of their Council of Elders (Mo-igbuyyag), promoting harmony and cultural continuity.

Ata Women: Anchors of Peace and Economic Empowerment

Ata women are traditional healers, weavers, food producers, and culture bearers. Through the Ata Women Association of Paquibato, with over 2,000 members, women have led initiatives in livelihood, leadership, and peacebuilding.

Flagship initiatives include the Bahayahay Learning and Workshop Center (Pandaitan), supported by New Zealand Aid and Peace 911, the Integrated Ancestral Domain Development Approach (IADDA) program of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), and the Weaving Product Development Workshop with support from the Chinese Consulate and Peace 911. 

“We weave not only cloth but our stories — stories of resilience, of peace, and of hope for the next generation.” – Biyo Alma Omo, President, Ata Women Association of Paquibato

I-LEAD: Building the Foundations for Lasting Peace

The United Nations Development Programme with the NCIP and New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (NZ MFAT) support Indigenous women’s empowerment through the Indigenous Women and Girls – Leadership and Empowerment in Ancestral Domains (I-LEAD) Project. By 2030, I-LEAD aims to strengthen the leadership capacities of 1,600 Indigenous women and girls across Mindanao to drive economic development for the intergenerational wellbeing of their ICCs.

In Paquibato, I-LEAD supports ancestral domain governance, climate-resilient enterprises, and access to markets and education for Indigenous women and girls. The interventions focus on:

• Developing and implementing Community Resource Management and Development Plans (CRMDPs);
• Strengthening institutional capacities for ancestral domain governance;
• Supporting women- and youth-led, nature-positive enterprises;
• Providing education and structured learning opportunities for Indigenous women and girls; and
• Expanding access to livelihood services, ICT tools, and adaptive markets.

The Ata Women Association of Paquibato will lead the implementation of I-LEAD activities in their ICC.