Resilient Livelihoods Development for Women & Youth Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Maguindanao

The joint programme “Resilient Livelihoods Development for Women & Youth Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Maguindanao” tackled the complex challenges of recurring exposure to natural disasters, conflict, poverty, as well as gender and age inequality in Maguindanao Province, Philippines. For decades, conflict and insecurity had left women, and youth, who form the majority of internally displaced persons, at heightened risks of human rights violations, economic insecurity, marginalization and gender-based violence, trapping them in a cycle of displacement and poverty. 

Funded by the Government of Australia, this programme aimed to equip internally displaced women and youth with the skills, resources, and support needed to build resilient livelihoods. Operating in five conflict-affected municipalities across Maguindanao del Norte and Maguindanao del Sur, UNFPA and FAO combined their expertise to address gaps in sustainable livelihoods, access to social services, and gender and age equality for 1,510 households. Some key activities included:

• Strengthening local capacity through trainings for women and youth as well as policymaking bodies;
• Engaging and providing technical support to internally displaced women and youth in agricultural activities to tackle food insecurity;
• Advocating for gender-responsive policies to promote equality and protection.

Phase II of the project, which began in August 2024, focused on:

• Strengthening established community-based organizations and women-friendly spaces;
• Offering additional training and support to internally displaced women and youth to improve their livelihoods and access to health, social services, and essential information;
• Identifying and implementing new income-generating opportunities for internally displaced women and youth.

This initiative underscored the importance of investing in women and youth as drivers of change, poverty reduction, and food security. For more information, please visit https://philippines.unfpa.org/en/rld-aus-unfpa-fao.