Life Today PH

MANILA — The Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia to the Philippines and SPARK!
Philippines are organizing the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Girls for Peace Hackathon, an initiative that aims to strengthen the participation of girls and young women in peacebuilding, conflict prevention, and development efforts in BARMM.

The project will convene 25 young girls’ peace and human rights advocates from the center of the Bangsamoro Region, Cotabato City, and nearby localities to co-create innovative, youth-led solutions through facilitated workshops, collaborative problem-solving sessions, and mentorship opportunities.

The participants will identify challenges affecting girls in conflict and post-conflict
settings and develop practical responses to address these issues. The hackathon will provide a platform for participants to share experiences, exchange ideas, and develop their leadership, advocacy, and critical-thinking skills while fostering connections with fellow young peace advocates.

“Women, Peace and Security agenda has been a priority of Slovenian foreign policy since our independence. This is based on a firm conviction that no peace can be sustainable without full inclusion of women in all spheres of public life. With the BARMM Girls for Peace Hackathon project, we aim to strengthen the voice of young women and offer them skills that would help them in their lives,” said the Ambassador of Slovenia to the Philippines, Dr. Smiljana Knez.

The need for greater inclusion of girls and young women in peacebuilding remains significant.

According to UN Women, women account for only 13% of peace negotiators and 6% of peace agreement signatories globally, despite evidence showing that peace processes are more sustainable when women participate meaningfully. In conflict-affected areas such as BARMM, girls often face heightened risks of gender-based violence, early marriage, educational disruption, and limited access to opportunities that enable them to engage in civic and community leadership.

“Girls and young women are often among those most affected by conflict, yet their voices remain underrepresented in the spaces where decisions about peace are made,” said Maica Teves, Executive Director of SPARK! Philippines.

“Through this initiative, we hope to increase awareness of girls’ perspectives in peace and security discourse, with the hackathon serving as a reference point for stakeholders working on inclusive peacebuilding initiatives.

The partnership brings together SPARK! Philippines’ longstanding commitment to advancing girls’ rights, leadership, and meaningful participation, with the Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia’s strong dedication to peacebuilding, inclusive governance, and sustainable development.

By investing in the leadership and potential of young women, the initiative seeks to cultivate a new generation of peace advocates and changemakers, ensuring that girls are recognized not only as beneficiaries of peace but also as leaders and partners in building more resilient, inclusive, and peaceful communities across BARMM.

For further information about this project, please contact
info@sparkphilippines.org.