Jo Genna Martin Jover

Jo Genna Martin Jover is from Maguindanao, Philippines, and belongs to the Teduray ethnic group. An advocate for non-violent change and peacebuilding, she has dedicated her life to promoting social and cultural equality within her tribe and also with the government “amid such injustices as the intrusion into their traditional lands.” Jo is also a member of the Kutawato Council for Justice and Peace. In this role, she raises awareness of the rights of indigenous peoples, and more specifically, Moro women. She has trained and encouraged women in the area to participate in peacebuilding and societal reconstruction. Jo also promotes peacebuilding between the government and the Moro communities; two parties that have experienced decades of conflict. 

Jo is one of the Facilitators of the Transitional Justice and Reconciliation Commission, a listening process where she hears of the problems from communities and devises methods and approaches to enable the peace processes in these areas to be fulfilled. 

She is now the Project Manager for the Indigenous Peoples Concerns of the Institute for Autonomy and Governance (IAG), an NGO and policy think tank based in Cotabato City working on autonomy, peace and security, and good governance in Southern Philippines. IAG’s core belief is that the Mindanao conflict is a political problem which requires a political solution. IAG seeks to address the absence of recognition of indigenous people’s rights and social justice in the ARMM, leveraging on the Indigenous Peoples Right Act RA 8371 (IPRA), the 1997 Philippines Constitution and other existing international laws for IPs.