Bianca Gonzalez, television host and advocate for women’s rights, joined the UN Women’s field mission in Tawi-Tawi to shed light on the challenges faced by women in the region.
Known for her insightful commentary, Gonzalez conversed with local leaders and women who are at the forefront of addressing pressing issues of the province.
“It’s not armed conflict that is the issue here [in Tawi-Tawi],” Bianca emphasized. “Ang issue here, climate change and trafficking.”
This statement debunks common misconceptions about the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), where many assume that conflict and violence dominate daily life.
Tawi-Tawi recorded a zero crime rate in the last quarter of 2024. Despite this, human trafficking remains a significant concern.
Hon. Dayang Carlsum Jumaide, the chair for the Women, Youth, and Family Affairs committee, echoes this pressing issue.
“‘Yung mga kababaihan na napupunta dito sa amin para lang maging exit point nila ‘yung Tawi-Tawi,” she said, “At the end of the day, ‘pag hindi namin sila na-rescue dito sa amin, they would end up in prostitution.”
According to Hon. Jumaide, the province’s proximity to other Asian countries as well as the ignorance of geography among victims make it a hotspot for traffickers. There were 23 women rescued last quarter alone, with weekly rescues continuing to this day.
She urged women to protect themselves by seeking legitimate recruiters with proper accreditations and ensuring they have valid visas or working permits.
“Part of this bows down to education,” she stressed.
“Kailangan din natin i-strengthen ‘yung local policies… Mahalaga ‘yung pagpapa-intindi ng mga constituent natin kung ano ‘yung mga dapat red flag na tingnan nila,” she added.
Another critical issue Bianca explored during her visit was the impact of climate change on Tawi-Tawi’s seaweed farming industry—a vital source of income for many families.
Dr. Sitti Zayda Halum, director of the Seaweed Research Center, explained how changing weather patterns have negatively affected the seaweed industry.
“We have had more rain the last three years, which is not good for the seaweeds,” she shared.
Prolonged drying periods create a domino effect on farmers’ ability to meet household needs.
Bianca Gonzalez’s participation in this mission underscores the importance of amplifying women’s voices in regions like Tawi-Tawi.
As Hon. Jumaide highlighted, “We need more women to speak for themselves. We need more women to sit down along with men in crafting plans and programs.”
She further elaborated that the best programmers for women-focused programs are women themselves.
Keep Reading: Shaina Magdayao Opens Up About Overcoming Showbiz Industry Pressures
Leave a Reply