Starting Point
Ms. Jo Genna Martin Jover from Maguindanao has been recognised for organising her tribe to seek justice against incursions into their ancestral lands. She has endeavoured to transform Lumad (indigenous) and Moro Communities through nonviolence and peacebuilding. Ms. Jover hails from Barangay Timanan, South Upi and is a member of the Kutawato Council for Justice and Peace. Initially aiming for a nursing career, she obtained a degree in Sociology, motivated by her advocacy for social causes.
Peace Journey
Furthermore, she is consistent in raising awareness of the rights of Indigenous and Moro women. She is a strong advocate for recognising and respecting the rights of indigenous peoples and their political systems. She actively promotes non-violence as a key strategy for social change. She believes in the power of dialogue and strives to reach out and establish meaningful connections with people and communities.
Success Stories
As one of the highlights of her journey, she has been recognised for winning the N-Peace Awards for her dedicated advocacy of peace and nonviolent action. She received the Award in 2015 in the category of “Untold Stories: Women Transforming their Communities”. She excels at facilitating dialogue among women, local village leaders, and even local commanders on issues affecting their communities. She also conducts training sessions on gender-sensitive active non-violence and encourages dialogue among women from diverse cultural backgrounds to foster peaceful coexistence.