FOCUS GROUP DISCUSSION (FGD): Gender-Based Violence Referral Mechanism CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY Background on the GBV Observatory Project To explain to the participants the purpose of the FGD, Atty. Palma provided a background on the GBV Observatory Project. The project was launched earlier this year by CHR-X. Basically, the project helps the CHR to perform its mandate as Gender Ombud. It serves as a resource center for information and as a platform for monitoring and research which ultimately aids the CHR in planning policies and program delivery. Atty. Palma explained that the FGD is one of their methods to gather information on the ground. The following are the objectives of the mapping, as presented by Atty. Palma: ● ● ● ● ● Map GBV Referral mechanisms in two cities/municipalities in the region’s area of responsibility; Look into the effectiveness of these mechanisms in terms of availability of facilities, kinds of services, and advocacy and partnership with women’s organizations; Identify challenges and barriers as well as document the good practices in reporting and investigation, prosecution and legal assistance, and providing support services; Derive recommendations and proposals to improve the services and facilities offered by mechanisms on the ground; and Focus on the responses to and experiences of the most vulnerable and excluded. In a nutshell, the FGD is for the CHR-X to review the roles of state actors in addressing GBV and map GBV referral mechanisms in two identified cities/municipalities in the Northern Mindanao region and also to determine the effectiveness of the existing systems. Page 5 of 16