Starting Point
Fatmawati Salapuddin is a former commissioner for the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos and a consultant for the Sulu College of Technology. She serves as the Director of the Lupah Sug Bangsamoro Women Association, an organisation in Sulu that advocates for women's rights. The association also collaborates with other organisations on community health projects, particularly those focused on controlling contagious diseases.
In carrying out her duty, she prioritises the area of community development. She recognises that her home island is regarded as a conflict-affected and conflict-prone area. Therefore, her development efforts must address this background. She believes that without peace, development cannot flourish. She is motivated to act on behalf of the Tausug Community, which has struggled with long-standing conflict and poverty.
Peace Journey
Regarding her experience, Ms. Salapuddin has served as a key mediator for twenty years. She skillfully navigates the turbulent conflicts between rival clans in the politically sensitive environment of her island province, located in the southwestern region of the Philippines. She has noted that these enduring blood feuds, referred to locally as “rido,” are intricately intertwined with local politics.
Success Stories
She aspires for Sulu men and women to become skilled professionals and gainfully employed after her mentoring. She finds inspiration in the knowledge that she has empowered them through her service in the private and public sectors. She finds fulfilment in assisting others, learning alongside them, and connecting them to the mainstream, as she believes this will help reduce conflicts and gradually establish the foundations for lasting peace.