VALENCIA CITY, Bukidnon — The Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) launched Pasundayag: Mindanao Street Theater here on February 4, using live performances to localize the national Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) Action Plan and bring policy discussions directly to conflict-affected communities

Through short skits and interactive scenes, the initiative dramatized the lived experiences of women and youth facing violence, discrimination, and social exclusion. The performances depicted situations such as harassment, family conflict, and limited access to protection services.  

After each presentation, PCW facilitators led open discussions with residents and local leaders, encouraging participants to identify gaps in the implementation of peace and gender policy and propose community-based solutions.  

PCW Chairperson Ermelita V. Valdeavilla said peace initiatives succeed only when they reflect people’s daily realities rather than remaining confined to written frameworks.  

“National frameworks guide us, but peace must be rooted in community realities. Every child’s voice is a sacred invitation to the future. When we listen, empower, and protect them, we help shape a society free from fear and violence,” Valdeavilla said, stressing the importance of inclusive dialogue in sustaining peace.  

She added that street theater allows concerns to surface more naturally than in formal consultations, as participants engage with scenarios that mirror their own experiences.  

Valdeavilla said insights drawn from the performances also support the implementation of the Safe Spaces Act (Republic Act 11313), which protects women and students from sexual harassment, and Republic Act 9262, which safeguards women and children against domestic violence.

 The activity strengthened local Gender and Development programs by providing barangay officials and frontline workers with scenario-based learning. Participants practiced identifying gender-based violence risks, reporting procedures, and referral mechanisms to improve community-level response.  

Local and international partners attended the launch, including Ukrainian Ambassador Yuliia Oleksandrivna Fediv, who observed the performances and joined dialogue sessions with women and youth leaders.  

“Street theater reminds us that culture is the foundation of peace and resilience, and that art can serve as a shared language of empathy, dialogue, and healing, especially in communities affected by conflict or social vulnerability,” Fediv said.  

Officials from the Commission on Human Rights and the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity also joined workshops, helping translate national WPS directives into actionable steps at the barangay level.  

Valdeavilla said partner agencies co-facilitated post-performance discussions, provided technical guidance, and mentored community leaders on applying national policies, demonstrating shared support for community-based peace initiatives.  

Valencia City Mayor Amie G. Galario said the city supports programs that translate national gender and peace commitments into concrete action at the grassroots.  

“We believe that genuine peace is built through participation, inclusion, and meaningful community dialogue. Activities like this strengthen awareness, foster unity, and encourage shared responsibility,” Galario said.  

She added that partnerships with national agencies help build safer and more gender-responsive communities. (BGE/PIA-10/Bukidnon)