Opol, Misamis Oriental Focus Group Discussio on Gender Based Violence Referral Mechanism October 28, 2020 In this COVID-19 global pandemic where stringent health protocols were implemented, including limited mobility of the people, the Commission on Human Rights continued its role as Gender Ombud doing information campaigns on human rights and gender0based violence, issued advisories to government agencies and HR Bulletin in ensuring human rights-based approach in the implementation of all COVID19 related protocols including curfews. CHR also heightened its GBV referral and complaint mechanisms maximizing the online platforms. As part of the discussion framework, Atty. Palma also discussed relevant definitions that guided the participants in the sharing of their insights: 1. What is Gender Based Violence? - an umbrella term for any harmful act that is perpetrated against a person’s will, and that is based on socially ascribed (gender) differences between males and females. - Violence is directed against women because they are female and have unequal power in relationships with men, and have low status in general. - this lack of power and status makes women vulnerable to acts of violence. 2. Who are the Women Fisherfolks? - “directly or indirectly engaged in taking, culturing, or processing fishery or aquatic resources.” - These include, but are not limited to women engaged in fishing in municipal water, coastal and marine areas, women workers in commercial fishing and aquaculture, vendors and processors of fish and coastal products, and subsistence producers such as shell-gatherers, managers, and producers of mangrove resources, and other related produce.” - Section 4(d)2, The Magna Carta of Women of 2009 (RA 9710) The invisibility and non-recognition of women as fisherfolks due to the prevailing notion and gender stereotype that only men are considered fisherfolks was highlighted in the introductory discussion. Women’s roles in the entire process of small-scale fishing are overlooked thus making their contributions to the fishing sector less important. This underrepresentation of women fisherfolks leads to exclusion in policies and programs that addresses their needs and rights as women. Some scenarios mentioned are disenfranchisement in terms of benefits, social protection and participation in policy-making and consultations; migration for better opportunities; various forms of GBVs. This is the prevailing situation of women fisherfolks and this may have been exacerbated when the COVID 19 pandemic happened. Page 5 of 13