New Stream of Life
LAKE COMMUNITY IN THE PHILIPPINES TRANSFORMED BY WOMEN’S GROUP Text Faizza Tanggol
Against the backdrop of the
tranquil Marayag Lake, members
of Women of War warmly welcome
visitors to the Municipality of
Matanog in Maguindanao. Garbed in
their traditional malong wear, they
proudly showcase the Marayag Lake
not only for tourism but also for how
it provides an alternative livelihood
for the community.
Scarred by war and conflict
Though Marayag Lake is now one
of the most well-known areas in
Matanog, it has a colourful past,
known not only within the municipality
but also outside of its borders.
“Matanog has a controversial
history. People used to be scared of
passing through this area because
Marayag Lake was seen as a place
where dead bodies were dumped
and robbery was rampant,” explains
Larida May Abedin, the chairperson of
Women of War in Matanog.
The women’s group Women of War
helped turn the reputation of Matanog
and Marayag Lake from a place to
avoid to a peaceful tourist haven.
“The Women of War, or WOW
Matanog, came to be because
many women suffered during the
armed conflict here in 2002. So we
established the Women of War in 2013
with the vision of building a new and
peaceful Matanog,” says Larida.Women as peace advocates
Women also have a unique status in
their community as peace advocates.
Aside from the 2002 armed conflict
between the Philippines government
and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front,family feuds, known as rido, is also
common in Matanog.
“Although their families may be in
conflict from rido, the women still get
along, so they serve as a link for the
settling of conflicts,” Larida shares.
“Our group WOW Matanog is really
at the frontlines when it comes to
peacebuilding in Matanog.”
Initially composed of 35 women
back in 2013, WOW Matanog now
has 250 members. These women led
the transformation of Marayag Lake
by managing the rehabilitation from
beginning to end.
In 2014, with assistance from the
United Nations World Food Programme
(WFP), hundreds of men and womenMarayag Lake was seen as a place where dead
bodies were dumped and robbery was rampant, but
it has since become a peaceful tourist havenPHOTO © ANTHONY CHASE LIM/WFP