Most of these methods can be integrated in the current investigation and visitorial functions of
the CHR offices such as in the docketing of cases, referral of cases, among others. However,
reframing, changing of lens and consciousness in the fulfillment of the Gender Ombud
functions, and a more crucial role of documentation will still be necessary. FGDs can take the
form of community-based dialogues (CBD). The regions can decide on recurring themes to be
covered, for instance the mandatory pregnancy testing in schools or data privacy. Interview can
be done in an informal, non-investigative, non-defensive and less threatening manner if it wants
to determine relationship and dynamics. Statistics on VAWC cases from government and private
sources such as Philippine National Police (PNP) and non-government organizations (NGOs).
The GBV mapping study was done five (5) pilot areas/regions. It also covered the following:
Function and roles of different government agencies addressing GBV
Referral pathways in relation to addressing GBV
Documentation and data management systems in relation to monitoring GBV
Thematic areas of discourse on women’s human rights
Forms of GBV: Intimate partner violence (R.A. 9262) and rape and sexual violence
Representation of women from highly urbanized city, provincial capital city, multi-cultural areas,
disaster areas.
Specific to referral pathways and mechanisms, the PNP has the role to enforce and respond to
GBV while the DSWD is in charge of case management, psychosocial services, provision of
shelter or halfway home. The role of the CHR then is efficiently using these referral pathways
and mechanisms, in helping remove the barriers, in sensitizing these agencies better, and in
documentation and data management systems in relation to GBV monitoring.
As a result of the GBV Observatory piloting, the following key themes were generated:
Gender-based violence, women’s human rights and gender equality as evolving concepts; not
limited to legal definitions and includes implications to women’s access to justice
Documentation as entry point to GBV services or formalizing women’s entry to legal and social
welfare systems; and there are unrecorded GBV
Published data on GBV only refer to point of entry while information on status of cases and process
not readily available; there are issues of diversity and intersectionality, e.g. disabled, pregnant,
women in calamity area, which should be consciously considered
Extensive quantitative and qualitative data on GBV which can be found in several government
agencies, at all levels, and some can be accessed online
Limited utilization of data available as well as of publications using women’s human rights
framework in addressing gender equality and rights.
Mapping of over 159 published and online literature on GBV and women’s human rights from
2013-2018 using key search words, about the Philippines, and by or with Filipino authors
revealed that the most researched topic are: women’s human rights; gender equality; violence
against women; women in migration; women and sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR),
women and economy/economic development. Meanwhile, there is a dearth of literature on
women in relation to topics such as climate change, disabilities health, mental health and
housing.
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