IV. SESSION 2: INTRODUCTION TO THE GBV OBSERVATORY PROJECT AND SHARING OF RESULTS AND PROCESSES MS. MA. ROSALYN ‘LEN’ G. MESINA and MS. NANCY E. PARREÑO GBV Observatory Consultants A. GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE OBSERVATORY PROJECT: DATA COLLECTION METHODS AND PRESENTATION OF FINDINGS The presentation covered background of the GBVO study, methodology, scope and limitations of the project, as well as key themes and lessons from the project. The two GBVO Consultants were noted to have previously worked in (1) the advocacy of the VAWC law to cover children and from barangay to national levels between 2001-2004; (2) engendering the barangay justice system to hear and resolve VAWC cases; (3) reviewing legal referral mechanisms to set up a framework for the GBVO. The GBV Observatory stems from the function of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) as Gender Ombud and the objective of monitoring State compliance to human rights standards and access to justice and to legal and social services. As an observatory, the GBV Observatory involves tracking of referral pathways, documentation, research and promotion of women’s human rights. It was mentioned that the roll out of the GBV Observatory and mapping at the regional offices level should not intimidate the regions as these functions can be integrated and accomplished in the current Gender Ombud reporting mechanism but should be substantiated with the gender and women’s rights framework. The tools and methodology are similar, familiar and may have been used already in the current investigation work, while the scope and limitations will be necessary to maintain focus. Data gathering for the GBV Observatory proceeded with the following methods:     Documents Review particularly existing reports, existing intake and documentation forms, templates, logbooks, case files; Preliminary meetings and briefing sessions which introduced the mapping project to key people and partners including CHR Regional Directors (RDs) and local government unit (LGU) head and officials; Focus Group Discussion (FGD) which involved setting up meetings and discussion with key stakeholders; and, Interviews or in depth conversation with key people in agencies identified in the referral pathways/mechanisms. 13