IQBAL signs the Memorandum of Understanding between MBHTE and UNFPA. (MBHTE)
DAVAO CITY – The Ministry of Basic, Higher, and Technical Education (MBHTE) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) signed a memorandum of understanding to institutionalize Comprehensive Gender and Health Education for Youth (CGHEY) within the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
Under the agreement, the CGHEY will be mainstreamed in basic education, alternative learning, Indigenous Peoples education, special education, and the Madaris system in the next three years.
The partnership will ensure that all young people in BARMM will gain the knowledge, skills, and values they need to live healthy lives, exercise their rights, and shape their futures with confidence.
“On behalf of MBHTE, I affirm our full commitment to this collaboration with UNFPA. This MOU serves as a framework for our shared mission, which is guided by the wisdom of Dr. José Rizal: That the youth are the hope of our nation. Therefore, we pledge to invest in their holistic development, ensuring their health and well-being as we cultivate the next generation of leaders,” MBHTE chief Mohagher Iqbal said in a statement released by UNFPA.
The agreement reaffirmed UNFPA’s dedication to support the Bangsamoro youth as it emphasized that access to comprehensive education on gender and health is key to building stronger and healthier communities.
Iqbal emphasized the role of the youth in the region, saying that the Bangsamoro government needs to invest in the younger generation who will soon produce leaders. “It is important to develop future leaders in all aspects of life, especially in health," he added.
The MBHTE minister vowed a full cooperation with the UNFPA, adding that his office will sincerely extend their full ability within the frame of the law.
The MBHTE emphasized that the partnership could also help empower the Bangsamoro youth with the knowledge and skills to make informed decisions about their health and well-being, consistent with the principles of the Fatwa on the model family in Islam.
It added that the partnership aligns with the Bangsamoro Development Plan 2023-2028 and supports key MBHTE initiatives such as Oplan Kalusugan sa Bangsamoro (OKB) program and the Madrasah Learning and Development program.