In the rural areas of BARMM, many women and mothers remain hesitant to access sexual and reproductive health services. Mariam, a Women-friendly Space (WFS) facilitator and recent graduate of midwifery, is among those determined to promote access to sexual and reproductive health services for women in her community by building trust and encouraging them to prioritize healthcare.

Previously an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW), Mariam returned home alone to the Philippines in 2013 while pregnant with her child. Living apart with her husband who works abroad took a toll on their relationship, leading to Mariam becoming a solo parent. 

Lacking child support from her children’s father, Mariam had no choice but to juggle multiple jobs — from selling pre-owned clothes to working as a retail clerk— to provide for the needs of her three children. Consequently, this also meant putting her lifelong dream of becoming a midwife on hold.

Approached by her local government unit (LGU) about a project supporting women’s social and economic empowerment, Mariam took it as an opportunity to support her family and her studies. “I was already enrolled in a midwifery programme during that time, with the help of my sister, but I was unsure if I would still be able to continue due to the additional costs that came with it. So, I was thrilled when I was approached by the LGU and was offered to undergo training to become a WFS facilitator.” Mariam recounted.

As support for their work, WFS facilitators like Mariam are provided with a modest stipend. This helps cover Mariam and her family’s day-to-day expenses, especially their daily fare, which enables her to attend school and carry out her duties as a facilitator.

Supported by the Australian Government, UNFPA, together with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and Mindanao Organization for Social and Economic Progress (MOSEP), established Women-Friendly Spaces which are providing crucial support for women and girls in conflict-affected areas in Maguindanao. Facilitated by trained individuals like Mariam, these spaces bolster awareness on gender-based violence (GBV) and sexual and reproductive health, including maternal health and family planning.

One of Mariam’s main responsibilities as a WFS facilitator includes monitoring the pregnant women in the community and referring them to the rural health units (RHU) for prenatal and postnatal care. This task, however, proved to be difficult — mothers are often reluctant to undergo the necessary medical procedures.

Aside from financial constraints, Mariam shared that misinformation regarding medical procedures done to pregnant women instilled a deep-seated fear within the community, making the mothers and their husbands steer away from RHUs and forgo the essential prenatal and postnatal care services.

To combat this, Mariam shared that they engage with the community to educate mothers on the critical importance of prenatal and postnatal care, and facility-based births. Together with other WFS facilitators, they highlight the need for check-ups and regular visits to the RHUs for the safety of not only their baby but also of their own.

Mariam observed a positive shift within mothers in the community as they continue to do their work as WFS facilitators. “The pregnant women who did not go to health centers before, are now the ones who ask, ‘When do we need to visit the health center again?’’, she proudly shared. 

For Mariam, becoming a WFS facilitator was not only an opportunity that  helped support her family— it became a valuable learning experience, as her work as a facilitator came with crucial training and experience in  tending to pregnant women in the communities.

“The knowledge [and experience] I get from the WFS gave me a real advantage in my medical courses,”she shared. “I usually learn things in advance because of our training, so I was able to attend our classes prepared for our lessons and demonstrations. At the same time, I apply what I learn from my programme to my work as a facilitator.

Ultimately, her role proved vital in completing her education. “I can say that if I hadn't been a part of this, I probably wouldn't be able to finish my studies,” she said. 

Becoming a WFS facilitator marked a turning point in Mariam’s life — allowing her to pursue her dreams, support her family and positively impact her community by delivering crucial support to women and girls.

“We are thankful for the opportunity to help.” Mariam smiled.

For Mariam, the establishment of WFS in the community plays an important role in ensuring the well-being of mothers and girls. “Without WFS, women in our communities would be neglected, with no one monitoring their well-being,” she said.