DAVAO CITY―The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in the Philippines and New Zealand have launched a program aimed to empower indigenous women and girls and promote sustainable practices in response to climate change and biodiversity challenges.
The UNDP, New Zealand government and the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), officially launched the Indigenous Women and Girls–Leadership and Empowerment in Ancestral Domains (I-LEAD) Project in a signing ceremony here last week.
The I-LEAD Project seeks to foster inclusive development, resilience-building, gender equality and women’s empowerment by promoting leadership roles and economic opportunities for indigenous women and girls across ancestral domains, especially in Regions 11 and 12 in Mindanao.
The project will strengthen the protection of indigenous Ppeoples’ rights, promote sustainable practices and address underlying gender norms and discriminatory practices to enable their meaningful participation and leadership.
New Zealand Ambassador to the Philippines Dr. Catherine McIntosh welcomed the initiative.
“As a small donor country committed to development that works, we are carefully targeting our efforts to where we will make a real difference. And I’m optimistic that together, we can make a real difference in the lives of Indigenous communities in Regions 11 and 12 and beyond,” she said.
UNDP Philippines resident representative Dr. Selva Ramachandran stressed the significance of partnerships in delivering impact.
“This initiative is a testament to what we can achieve together when we unite around a shared vision of empowerment, equity, and sustainable development. Together, we can create programs that are responsive, inclusive, and impactful,” he said.
NCIP chairperson Bo-i Jennifer Pia Sibug-Las, meanwhile, cited the importance of involving indigenous women in the community’s political structures.
“There are still a lot of aspirations by women. They should still be given the chance to have representation in governance and to raise their voices in a lot of areas, especially when it comes to sharing their cultures, traditions, and identities,” she said.
Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) Secretary Leo Tereso Magno, in a message delivered by Undersecretary Janet Lopoz, reaffirmed his commitment in supporting the project’s success.
“The I-LEAD project is very much aligned with our priorities under the Mindanao Development agenda. MinDA will ensure that all our programs and projects will always include the marginalised sectors of society so that we ensure that we create a collective impact in Mindanao,” he said.
The I-LEAD Project will be implemented over four years by NCIP with UNDP Philippines through a P247 million (US$ 4.5 million) funding support by the New Zealand Government.
The project will actively involve indigenous communities and government agencies in key roles to ensure its success.
DAVAO CITY―The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in the Philippines and New Zealand have launched a program aimed to empower indigenous women and girls and promote sustainable practices in response to climate change and biodiversity challenges.
The UNDP, New Zealand government and the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), officially launched the Indigenous Women and Girls–Leadership and Empowerment in Ancestral Domains (I-LEAD) Project in a signing ceremony here last week.
The I-LEAD Project seeks to foster inclusive development, resilience-building, gender equality and women’s empowerment by promoting leadership roles and economic opportunities for indigenous women and girls across ancestral domains, especially in Regions 11 and 12 in Mindanao.
The project will strengthen the protection of indigenous Ppeoples’ rights, promote sustainable practices and address underlying gender norms and discriminatory practices to enable their meaningful participation and leadership.
New Zealand Ambassador to the Philippines Dr. Catherine McIntosh welcomed the initiative.
“As a small donor country committed to development that works, we are carefully targeting our efforts to where we will make a real difference. And I’m optimistic that together, we can make a real difference in the lives of Indigenous communities in Regions 11 and 12 and beyond,” she said.
UNDP Philippines resident representative Dr. Selva Ramachandran stressed the significance of partnerships in delivering impact.
“This initiative is a testament to what we can achieve together when we unite around a shared vision of empowerment, equity, and sustainable development. Together, we can create programs that are responsive, inclusive, and impactful,” he said.
NCIP chairperson Bo-i Jennifer Pia Sibug-Las, meanwhile, cited the importance of involving indigenous women in the community’s political structures.
“There are still a lot of aspirations by women. They should still be given the chance to have representation in governance and to raise their voices in a lot of areas, especially when it comes to sharing their cultures, traditions, and identities,” she said.
Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) Secretary Leo Tereso Magno, in a message delivered by Undersecretary Janet Lopoz, reaffirmed his commitment in supporting the project’s success.
“The I-LEAD project is very much aligned with our priorities under the Mindanao Development agenda. MinDA will ensure that all our programs and projects will always include the marginalised sectors of society so that we ensure that we create a collective impact in Mindanao,” he said.
The I-LEAD Project will be implemented over four years by NCIP with UNDP Philippines through a P247 million (US$ 4.5 million) funding support by the New Zealand Government.
The project will actively involve indigenous communities and government agencies in key roles to ensure its success. UNDP Philippines News