The Marawi Siege: Women’s Reflections Then and Now

Abstract

Following the siege of Marawi in the southern Philippines, UN Women conducted a series of Listening Processes in the surrounding region, giving women survivors of the siege the opportunity to share their stories. The first Listening Process was held from September to October 2017 in the days immediately following the siege. The second Listening Process was held one year later in October 2018. During both sets of conversations, the women respondents discussed their experiences in the days leading up to the siege, their recollections of the battle, and the difficulties they face as evacuees and internally displaced persons. This publication seeks to capture these reflections to ensure the experiences of the women who lived through the siege and its aftermath are recorded in the history of Marawi and the Bangsamoro region. In addition, the women’s insights are invaluable for understanding how to prevent the recurrence of violent extremism in the region and how women can play a vital role in leading these efforts.