Cultural Interventions
in the GMWI Program

Religious leaders like the Ulama are deeply respected and have the authority to mediate conflicts and promote peace. By engaging these leaders, GMWI involved Ulama in psychosocial interventions by providing spiritual and moral guidance, helping participants move past their traumatic experiences. These Ulama used religious texts to promote forgiveness and reconciliation, which resonated with participants' cultural and religious identities.

In Sulu, clan affiliations and family ties play a pivotal role in how communities function. Clan leaders hold significant presence over their members and are often involved in mediating disputes. GMWI recognized this and involved traditional leaders in their peacebuilding efforts such as Community Consultations. Before former combatants could be fully reintegrated, GMWI facilitated community consultations between combatants, clan elders, and community members. This allowed for open discussion about the combatants’ return and gave community members the opportunity to express their concerns and expectations. This approach helped to build trust and ensured that reintegration was a community-driven process.

In many cultures, rituals and symbolic acts are used to mark significant transitions and bring closure to traumatic experiences. GMWI incorporated such acts into their team building activities. During the team-building activities at the beach, participants from different backgrounds came together to wear the same color clothing, eat meals together (in a traditional boodle fight), and engage in physical games. These symbolic acts represented the breaking down of barriers, building relationships, and helped build a sense of shared humanity​.

Cultural interventions also included intergenerational dialogue, ensuring that both elders and younger generations were involved in the peace process. This helped to break the cycle of violence that often persists through generations. Additionally, the program had a strong gender-sensitive focus, recognizing that women are key actors in peacebuilding, especially in their roles as caregivers and community leaders.