BACKGROUND OF THE ACTIVITY This activity is an implementation of two CHR main programs on IDPs and Genderbased Violence. In particular, the Regional Mapping of Legal Referral Mechanisms on Gender-Based Violence was initially scheduled the previous month. However, the recent earthquake that hit Bansalan rendered its postponement to a later date and to be implemented alongside the program on IDP Protection, Monitoring, and Psychosocial Support. Below is the program brief for the Regional Mapping of Legal Referral Mechanisms on Gender-Based Violence: The Regional Mapping of Legal Referral Mechanisms on Gender-Based Violence is a continuation of the initial mapping conducted under the Gender Based Violence Observatory Project. This project was carried out in 2018 as part of the efforts to respond and recognize continuing prevalence of gender-based violence and the continuing challenges in women’s access to justice. Through the GBV Observatory Project, the Commission on Human Rights, with funding support from Go Just, undertook research engagements that looked at how laws on GBV are implemented and how GBV manifests in the lived experiences of women. The GBV Observatory is envisioned to contribute to the monitoring of state’s obligations in addressing GBV and in forwarding key policy recommendations. It also aims for a deeper and wider understanding of GBV, enhancing women’s access to justice, and in general, in making data work for women. It further hopes to address one of the key targets of SDG 5 (Gender Equality), on the elimination of all forms of violence against women and girls in public and private spaces, including trafficking and sexual violence and other types of exploitation. The GBV Observatory Project began in 2018 spearheaded by the Center for Gender Equality and Women’s Human Rights and led by focal Commissioner for Women, Commissioner Karen Gomez Dumpit. The specific objectives of the project included the review of the roles of state actors in addressing GBV, the mapping of existing legal referral mechanisms, and the documentation of processes, key themes and discourses, including the identification of issues, gaps, and challenges. 3