UNFPA Philippines recently visited its women-friendly spaces (WFS) in the towns of Datu Odin Sinsuat in Maguindanao del Norte, Datu Saudi Ampatuan and Guindulungan in Maguindanao del Sur. The WFS are part of the “Resilient Livelihoods Development Project for Women and Youth IDPs” supported by the Australian Government.

Jointly implemented with UN FAO, the project involves the training of WFS facilitators who assist the rural health units in coordinating and delivering services related to maternal health, sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and prevention and response to gender-based violence, especially during emergencies and in remote areas in Mindanao.

During the visit, the WFS facilitators and local government officials talked about the challenges faced by women in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. They also shared how the presence of the WFS facilitators have helped raise awareness about available health services, resulting in more pregnant women giving birth in health facilities. Other issues that are being addressed by the WFS are maternal mortality, malnutrition, adolescent pregnancy and gender-based violence.