NOORUS SALAM (LIGHT OF PEACE) ON MUSLIM WOMEN EMPOWERMENT

Sittisham D. Mohammad MPA-1 Ateneo de Davao University School of Business and Governance

INTRODUCTION Womens empowerment has to underpin all sustainable peace and development efforts. The perpetual underdevelopment and high incidences of Conflict in Muslim Mindanao and in Muslim communities further exacerbate The oppression and exclusion of women and girls. In this regard muslim women,for Quite a long time ,have been aptly represented as minorities of the minorities. According to the International Action Network on Small Arms,almost 90% Of the casualties of the modern wars are civilians,the majority of whom are women And children,compared to the century ago when 90% of those who lost their lives Were military personnel. Violence against women in conflict zones is often an extention of the gender discrimination that already exist in the affected communities.Because of their lack of status within these societies ,women are systematically excluded from decision Making opportunities.They are often stereotyped as victims ;their experiences and contributions virtually ignored in conflict zones and in nations emerging from wars .This,despite the fact that women can also play a significant part in peacemaking If they are properly supported and genuinely included.. Armed conflict also exacerbates gender inequalities that exist in different forms and to varying degrees in different societies and that make women particularly vulnerable when armed conflict breaks out.Of the more that 1 billion women livng in poverty today,the great majority are women.They are,moreover ,generally disadvantaged in terms of education and are considerably less mobile Because of their traditional role in caring for others. Further,these inequalities continue after the cessation of hostilities.Women are Often excluded from the reconstruction process that take place after armed conflict As well as from peacebuilding initiatives. This is the main reason why Noorus Salam (Light Of Peace) was organized 2009 by Philippine Center for Islamic Democracy paving the way for Muslim Women Empowerment.

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT
A.ORGANIZATIONAL PROFILE: NAME: Noorus Salam Organization A non-profit and non-stock organization incorporated under the Laws of the Republic of the Philippines. PURPOSE: Noorus Salam is organized primarily for the spiritual,moral, Social,cultural and economic upliftment of the conditions of Of thew women ,children,youth and comminities in general. Specifically,it shall pursue the following: 1. The advancement of peace and human security; 2. The pursuit of democratic reforms; 3. The promotion of education,literacy and Islamic/moral values. 4. The advocacy of sustainable health policies and programs. 5. The strentheningf economic empoewerment. MEMBERSHIP: Any religious and /or professional Muslim women and any civil Society Women Leader who is committed to the vision,mission and Core values of Noorus Salam. CORE VALUES OF NOORUS SALAM:

Noorus Salam Organization was organized in 2009 by Philippine Center for Islamic Democracy under the Leadership of Amina Rasul (President,PDIC). Around 200 present members who are from Luzon,Visayas and Mindanao.It is the first organization network of Muslim Women in the Philippines. .

B.MISSION-VISION of NOORUS SALAM RGANIZATION MISSION 1.To organize the community 2. Capability Building and Leadership Training for Women 3. Muslim women religioue scholars encouragement to collaborate With Civic Society Leaders for peace effort. 4.Aim to help the Aleemat in strengthening networks between . Themselves and other women groups,sharing their experiences Between and gaining knowledge,new methods and up to date technoLogy. 5. Participation of Muslim Leaders in capacity building workshops And seminars on good governance . VISION 1. A space to be safe,a place to be free in every community. 2.Muslims and Christians communities lives in harmony and Start to collaborate through Interfaith Dialogue and Harmony. 3.Women would be able to participate in advancement of peace and Peace and security.pursuit of democratic reforms,promotion Of education,Literacy and Islamic Mortal values. 4. In sustainable Health policies programs. 5.Strenthening of economic empowerment.

STRATEGIC DIRECTION PEACE: 1. Build the capacities of Women as peace educators, both in their families and theircommunities. 2. Support the Aleemat to form and institutionalized a network of Muslim Women peace builders and advocates; 3. Foster a culture of peace,through education,that upholds justice and That upholds justice and tolerance for all peoples to include elements Of conflict resolution,mediation,elimination of discrimination and respect For diversity,including educational programs incuding youth and Children; 4. Integrate a gender perspective in the resolution of armed or other conflicts And aim for gender balance when nominating and promoting candidates For judicial and other position in all relevant justice and law enforcement Bodies,as well as in other bodies related to the peaceful settlement of disPutes; 5. Investigate and punish members of the police,security and armed forces And others who perpetrate an act of violence against women,violations Of humanitarian law and violations of the human rights of women in Conflict situations. 6. Develop awareness of the human rights of women and provide,as Appropriate,human rights education and training to military and police Personnel operating in areas of armed conflict and areas where there are Refugees; 7. Protect the right of Muslim women dertainees.The Commission on Human Rights has documented hundreds of Muslim Women illegally detained, Subjected to humiliation,rape and other violation of rights; 8. Raise public awareness,as appropriate,through the mass media,education At all levels and special programs to create a better understanding of the

Situation of women and children affected by conflict situations; 9. Advocate for the positive portrayal of Muslims in the media and other Forms of cultural representation including entertainment; ACCESS TO FINANCIAL RESOURCES AND ECOOMIC DEVELOPMENT: 1. Ensure the actualization of enhanced and increased access of muslim Women to economic opportunities ,capital and Islamic microcredit, Information technology and technical assistance,livelihood opportuNities including halal production and food processing including paCkaging. 2. Build capacities to advocate .mentor and train women leaders,especially Muslims at the grassroots level.to develop livelihood skills for empower Ment particularly in high value ,adding industries and agricultural Activities. 3.Provide adequate protection and allocate financial and other resources To displaced women and facilitate their return or resettlement incluDing access to appropriate and adequate food,water and shelter,education; ,social and health services including reproductive health care and materNity care; 4. Allocate a substiantial portion of the GAD budget to affirmative action for Women victimized by the consequences of the armed conflict and for Peacebuilding activities of the Aleemat. EDUCATION AND ISLAMIC VALUES FORMATION: 1. Enable greater access especially for women to formal and non-formal Education,scholarships for the aleemat. 2. Support literacy program for muslim women ,who have the highest Rate of illiteracy in the country; 3. Provide women with access to vocational/professional training programs

Including small scale enterprise development and planning; 4.Support the aleemat to be effective teachers and administrators in all levels Of the madaris system; 5. Support the establishments of the womens resource center for the aleemat For research,training,networking and other services such as English Language training,computer education,and Arabic language training; For health education and counseling on all forms of violence against women;for parenting skilla and Islamic values formation for youth and families; For education on rights and duties; 6. Combat the prostitution of Women thru Islamic values formation and Education for young girls at risk and their families. 7. Support the Aleemat in providing guidance ,educaton and counseling For youth in conflict with the law; HEALTH: 1. Enable greatewr access especially of women to comprehensive primary Health services that take into account their reproductive health From their gender perspective; 2. Provide resources for the Aleemat to research ,study and develop Strategies to deal with the problems of youth such as drug addiction And other substance abuse ,smoking,early pregnancy and others; 3. Establish drugs rehabilitation centers and support anti-drug campaigns; 4. Provide access to potable drinking waters; 5. Support the Aleemat in cleanliness,environmental protection and sanitation campaigns; CLEAN AND HONEST ELECTIONS AND GOVERNANCE: 1.Provide voters education to women that will promote honest,orderly And peaceful elections;

2. Support the Aleemat to play an active role in voters education and Guarding of the vote; 3. Support the aleemat for training in participation in politics and governance; 4. Support the participation of the aleemat women in practice of Good governance including transparency ,accountability and zero Tolerance of corruption . 5. Advocate for PD 1083,CMPL(Code of Muslim Personal Law)to give Access to women to legalize redress in a fast and expensive manner;