Crafting Messages for Women and Peacebuilding

Crafting Messages for Women and Peacebuilding was a five-day workshop based on the basic principles of feminist development communications that women are the source and producers of their own knowledge. Following a one-year action research that surfaced the strength, resilience and challenges of women grassroots community leaders in a few barangays of Pikit, North Cotabato the Isis-CPCP (Cultural Politics of Conflict, Peace) Facilitation team designed this workshop that explored the transformative potential of communication tools such as theatre, radio and visual arts for the women to communicate with. At the end of the five-day workshop they were able to talk about their strengths and aspirations as women leaders in various sites of their lives through short theatre pieces; the support they need and draw from in their everyday life through radio; and lastly the importance of participation, protection and upholding women's rights basic ingredients to peacebuilding – developed through posters.