Amplifying Young Women’s Voices in the Bangsamoro: A Movement for Inclusion and Leadership

In the heart of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), a new wave of young women leaders is emerging. Traditionally excluded from decision-making spaces, they are now stepping forward—raising their voices, shaping policies, and demanding representation in governance. Through the TRY-Change Project, these young women are not only influencing policy discussions but also building networks, strengthening their leadership, and ensuring that their concerns are heard at the highest levels of decision-making.

This initiative, implemented by Tri People Youth for Change (TRY-Change), focused on equipping young women with the skills and confidence to engage in policy processes. By creating spaces for participation, connecting them with key government agencies, and providing leadership training, the project laid the foundation for lasting change in how young women engage with governance in BARMM.

Breaking Barriers: From the Margins to the Policy Table

For years, young women in Bangsamoro have faced barriers to meaningful participation in decision-making. Cultural norms, lack of access to leadership opportunities, and gender-based discrimination have often sidelined their voices. The TRY-Change Project sought to change this by:

• Developing the Bangsamoro Young Women Agenda (BYWA) – a policy document outlining key concerns and recommendations from young women, including calls for action on gender-based violence, access to education, and political participation.
• Facilitating leadership training and boot camps – where young women developed confidence in public speaking, advocacy, and engagement with government agencies.
• Creating platforms for policy dialogue – bringing young women directly into discussions with the Bangsamoro Youth Commission (BYC), the Bangsamoro Women Commission (BWC), and local government units to ensure their voices influenced official plans and programs.

The project’s biggest achievement came when the Bangsamoro Youth Commission officially included the BYWA in its 2025 Youth Agenda, ensuring that the concerns of young women are now reflected in policy priorities for the region.

Strength in Numbers: Building Networks and Collective Power

A critical factor in the project’s success was its emphasis on coalition-building. TRY-Change worked closely with seven youth organizations in Cotabato City and Maguindanao, strengthening their ability to advocate for shared concerns.

These organizations, representing a diverse cross-section of Bangsamoro youth—including out-of-school youth, young peacebuilders, and children of overseas Filipino workers—collaborated on campaigns for gender rights, peacebuilding, and social inclusion.

Through their collective efforts:

• More young women leaders stepped into advocacy roles, organizing events, meeting with policymakers, and mobilizing their communities.
• Participation in decision-making processes increased, with youth organizations actively engaging in BARMM governance structures.
• Social media campaigns and digital advocacy reached thousands, raising awareness on issues affecting young women.

The growing recognition of young women as key stakeholders in governance is one of the most significant long-term impacts of this initiative.

Challenges and Lessons Learned

Like any transformative initiative, the project faced challenges. One of the biggest obstacles was balancing participation with young women’s existing responsibilities—many were students or had jobs, making it difficult for them to attend in-person advocacy events. TRY-Change addressed this by offering flexible engagement options, including online learning hubs and targeted policy workshops.

Another challenge was navigating political transitions within BARMM, as shifts in government leadership sometimes delayed engagement processes. The project learned that persistence and adaptability were crucial—by maintaining continuous dialogue with policymakers, TRY-Change ensured that their advocacy work remained relevant and impactful.

Additionally, while young women’s voices gained visibility, many still lacked formal organizational support to sustain their work. Moving forward, the focus will be on helping youth groups register officially with local government agencies so they can access funding and institutional backing for their initiatives.

What’s Next? Keeping the Momentum Going

The TRY-Change Project has sparked a movement, but its work is far from over. The next steps will focus on:

• Supporting the implementation of the Bangsamoro Young Women Agenda (BYWA) within BARMM’s governance structures.
• Strengthening youth-led advocacy organizations by providing mentorship, funding opportunities, and capacity-building programs.
• Expanding access to leadership training for more young women across different provinces in BARMM.
• Ensuring that gender-responsive policies are implemented, particularly around employment, education, and protection against gender-based violence.

The success of this initiative demonstrates that when young women are given the tools to lead, they transform their communities. By amplifying their voices, strengthening their networks, and ensuring that their concerns are reflected in governance, TRY-Change has laid the foundation for a more inclusive future in Bangsamoro.

This is just the beginning. The next generation of young women leaders is here, and they are ready to be heard.