The New Zealand government has committed PHP247 million (USD4.5 million) to a new four-year project aimed at enhancing leadership and economic opportunities for indigenous women and girls in Mindanao. The project, named Indigenous Women and Girls – Leadership and Empowerment in Ancestral Domains (I-LEAD), will be executed by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in collaboration with the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), targeting beneficiaries in Regions 11 and 12.
I-LEAD is designed not only to foster leadership skills but also to bolster the resilience of its participants against climate change, while promoting indigenous peoples’ rights and sustainable development within their ancestral lands. New Zealand Ambassador Catherine McIntosh expressed optimism about the project’s potential impact, stating, “As a small donor country committed to development that works, we are carefully targeting our efforts to where we will make a real difference. And I’m optimistic that together, we can make a real difference in the lives of Indigenous communities in Regions 11 and 12 and beyond.”
The initiative was officially launched on January 17, 2025, in Davao City, with a signing ceremony attended by Ambassador McIntosh, UNDP Philippines Resident Representative Selva Ramachandran, and NCIP Chairperson Jennifer Pia Limpayen Sibug-Las. The event marked a significant step towards empowering indigenous women and girls in Mindanao, promising to enhance their role in sustainable development and community resilience.