by: Isobel Ranulfa S. Dolatre

“Sa pangarap at paniniwala – alin ang mas matimbang? Sa karapat-dapat at kultura – alin ang mas matimbang?” ~ Arthur Glenn Pacaño of Task Force Sama-Bajau

Opening up spaces for the sharing of perspectives on matters relevant to Sama-Bajau communities, these questions were among the reflections shared.

Cartwheel Foundation, Inc. has been intentional in engaging with community members and other stakeholders involved in making for meaningful exchanges about concerns relating to the Sama-Bajau family practices and participation in society. Having their voices heard is central to upholding their rights, as a recognition of their uniqueness and dignity as individuals and as a people.
Community conversations on early marriages

Identifying early marriages as a reality common among indigenous Sama-Bajau, Cartwheel Foundation organized a series of conversations focusing on this topic. Participants were primarily community members and concerned stakeholders who, together, explored and unpacked the many considerations behind this practice that has been prevalent among many of their families.

 

The aim of the conversations is to open up opportunities for dialogue on a subject matter that is not usually talked about, through the following ways: (i) harvesting of socio-cultural perspectives of Sama-Bajau families on child marriage; and the (ii) provision of safe spaces for conversation and learning on the protection of rights of Sama-Bajau children, involving children, parents, community duty bearers and IP support groups.

Moderated by Teresa “Miks” Guia-Padilla, executive director of Anthropology Watch, the series began with several generative conversations held between October 20 and 21, involving Sama-Bajau women from Cartwheel partner communities residing in Parañaque and Zamboanga. Engaging with gentleness and respect, space was held for them to freely express their own thoughts and feelings on the matter of early marriages, with openness to the emergence of new understanding from the collective sharing of stories, sentiments and insights. Their notions of childhood, womanhood, sexuality, family among other related matters were also shared, being closely related to the concern on marriage.

The online event, “Pag-Isunan: Opening Spaces for Conversations on Early Marriages,” held on November 10, featured insights and perspectives drawn from these generative conversations. Apart from Sama-Bajau women from Parañaque and Zamboanga, other participants included Sama-Bajau women from Malate, and representatives from partners and Indigenous Peoples (IP) support groups  in the NGO and government sectors.

In seeking to deepen understanding of early marriages – with its cultural and relational implications, among many others – each one’s voice was recognized as contributing to broadening the circles of conversation around this area of concern.

 

Finally, a conversation on insights and ways forward was held online on November 25. Determined to take action after gathering different perspectives from those involved, participants were representatives of IP support groups (i.e., local government units, civil society groups, academe)with whom Cartwheel has been working in collaboration in seeking continued development for the Sama-Bajau partner communities.

All the above efforts have provided the foundation in determining collective action among Sama-Bajau community members, duty bearers and their support groups, in strategically addressing barriers to education and development among Sama-Bajau children and youth, in ways that are inclusive, culture-sensitive, and rights-based.

 

Learning fora on positive discipline

Positive discipline is about the dignity, protection, and participation of children.

This was the central point of discussion in two Empowering Learning Sessions for Indigenous Peoples Initiative (ELIPI) for Sama-Bajau parents residing in Barangay San Dionisio, Parañaque City held on February 23 and September 10, 2021. This was organized by Cartwheel  in coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and Development – National Capital Region (DSWD-NCR) and the City Social Welfare and Development Office of Parañaque.

Educator and theater artist Fredyl Hernandez of the Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) was the main facilitator for both learning sessions.

He emphasized the recognition of children as complete human beings with inalienable rights of their own. He shared Rated: PG, the video version of the banner play of PETA under its Advocate Rights to Safety (ARTS) Zone Project—a theater and cultural campaign against corporal punishment of children. He used this to initiate creative processing of insights and sharing of key inputs with the parent-participants. Among the specific topics discussed in the initial workshop were core principles of the rights of the child, the evolving capacities of children, and characteristics of effective child-rearing practices.

 

In the succeeding workshop, parent-participants were led through an exchange on what true discipline for children entails. The distinction between punishment and discipline were emphasized– the first causes fear and shame, while the other allows for teaching good. Presented as the building blocks of positive discipline were several points on the nature of children: their need for warmth and love especially from their parents, their uniqueness from others, their own capacity to feel and think. It was also highlighted how establishing clear rules at home builds a strong foundation that significantly contributes to a child’s development.

A parallel workshop on positive discipline was organized for community teachers on November 19, 2021, with focus on the value of rights-based approaches in fulfilling their roles as educators and duty bearers of indigenous children.

 

Conversation on citizens’ participation

Leading up to the Philippines’ national and local elections in 2022, a learning exchange entitled Makabeya ma Pag-isunan (Inclusive conversations),  focusing on Citizens’ Participation, was organized by Cartwheel on November 24, 2021. Sama-Bajau community partners residing in Parañaque and Zamboanga were the main participants who were invited to reflect on the qualities of their ideal leader or “pinuno.”

Facilitating the interactive discussion was Cecille “Ces” Turrecha, an IP rights advocate and student of Law.

Through a series of small group sharings, the Sama-Bajau in attendance were able to express their hopes for their own communities in the future. They were also able to share their thoughts on priorities and advocacies leaders should ideally address, and characteristics they perceive leaders should possess for this to be achieved.

They were reminded to hold on to these as their criteria in selecting competent leaders to hold office. It was emphasized that a leader’s understanding of the context from which specific concerns of the community come is important in driving positive change for all.

It was further pointed out that citizens’ active participation in conversations with leaders and similar opportunities for exchange are essential in helping them become informed, and together find means to better address community needs.

 

“Mainam na may pagkakaisa sa pagtingin sa mga ganitong bagay…Ang kultura ay laging nagbabago; ang tao ang siyang may kakayahang magbago noon.” ~Miks Guia-Padilla, executive director of Anthropology Watch

(“It would be good to find common ground in view of these things…Culture is ever-changing; people themselves have the capacity to make the change.”)

Raising awareness or kamalayan on varying perspectives by opening up safe spaces for conversations makes for a deeper, more meaningful understanding of relevant concerns. Hearing out every voice and learning from each other throughout the process is essential in safeguarding the rights especially of the most vulnerable among us. In this way, each one too, is affirmed of their inherent capacity to create change for the better.

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The community conversations on early marriages and citizens’ participation as well as the learning fora on positive discipline have all been made possible with generous support from development partner, Consuelo Zobel Alger Foundation*.

*Consuelo Zobel Alger Foundation a private, U.S.-based foundation that works for the prevention and treatment of abuse, neglect, and exploitation of children, women, and their families in the Philippines and in Hawai’i. Our foundation is named after our Founder, the late Consuelo Zobel Alger, whose generosity and genuine love for children allowed us to renew hope for those who have lost it and give hope to those who never had it.

For over 30 years, Consuelo Foundation has been taking action for our children and their families—uplifting one child, one family, one community, at a time.

Consuelo Foundation’s Life Skills Plus program empowers children and youth through education and skills training so they, too, can lead, dream, and reach their full potential—and make a difference in our world. This program provides the learners with relevant learning materials to ensure sustained access to quality education. Children and youth are assisted with essential interventions to further build their knowledge, skills, and competencies to be empowered individuals.

For inquiries and info about Consuelo Foundation and this project, you may email: ask@consuelo.org or visit their social media accounts at Facebook and YouTube.