On April 25, 2024, a panel discussion titled "Moro Women Leading Peace" took place. Women leaders from BARMM shared their experiences in the peace process and discussed how the peace agreement has been translated into legal benefits for women. The event emphasized the critical role of women in maintaining peace and making progress.

  Maria Victoria Ovia: Vig Cabrera Baheza  Chief Executive Officer,

The panel was chaired by Maria Victoria Ovia: Vig Cabrera Baheza, Founder and CEO of the Global Network of Women Peacebuilders, an expert in peacebuilding, conflict prevention, peacekeeping, and promoting women's rights and gender equality. Panelists included Sha Elijah Dumama-Alba, Floor Leader of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority and a member of the Bangsamoro Parliament, BAINON G.KARON, and Noraida S. Chio, Senior Program Officer, Philippines. They explored the ongoing challenges they face and highlighted the importance of support from various stakeholders to address these issues. The event highlighted the key role of women in peace negotiations and how their involvement benefits the entire community.

 Maria Victoria Ovia: Vig Cabrera Baheza Chief Executive Officer,Sha Elijah Dumama-Alba   Floor Leader of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority  BAINON G.KARON,  NORAIDA S. CHIO 

Guests at the discussion were actively engaged, with some taking the stage to speak, others posing questions, and all participating in a vibrant exchange of ideas and solutions.

This event brought together influential women leaders committed to ensuring the peace agreement continues to serve the people of BARMM and the Philippines at large. Their efforts inspire women globally to make meaningful contributions to peace and development.

Maria Victoria “Mavic” Cabrera-Balleza is the Founder and CEO of the Global Network of Women Peacebuilders, an international coalition of women’s rights organizations and civil society groups that focus on peacebuilding, conflict prevention, sustaining peace and promoting women’s rights and gender equality. Mavic initiated the Philippine national action planning on the UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325 on Women and Peace and Security (WPS). She has provided technical support in 1325 national action planning in different countries. She coordinated the civil society monitoring of UNSCR 1325 from 2010 -2014. Mavic pioneered the Localization of UNSCR 1325 and 1820 program regarded as a best practice example in the implementation of UNSCR 1325 and implemented in 16 countries. She has led workshops on the integration of the WPS resolutions in the training of national police and armed forces to promote gender equality perspectives and respect for international human rights and humanitarian laws in the security sector. Mavic has authored various publications on the implementation of the WPS resolutions. She developed "The Good Cycle" a framework that establishes the nexus between the Sustainable Development Goals, Good Governance and Peace and Security.

She leads the civil society advocacy on the use of CEDAW as accountability mechanism to the WPS resolutions. In 2014, Mavic established the Girl Ambassadors for Peace and the Young Women for Peace and Leadership, international networks of young women in peacebuilding and prevention of violent extremism. She also serves as an international consultant on WPS to the UN as well as individual governments. She was a founding member of the Global Funding Board of the Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund; a member of the Civil Society Advisory Group to the Office of the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict; and the Beijing + 25 Advisory Working Group.