VI. Focus Group Discussion | 1:05 PM – 1:34 PM The focus group discussion was facilitated by Atty. Ciena May Juyo. Prior to the discussion, Atty. Juyo explained the context of the FGD. She emphasized that the process is part of their mandate as Gender Ombud. She also explained further that the mapping of legal referral mechanisms for GBV will rely on the willingness of participants to share their individual experiences as focal person for gender and development in their barangays. Thus, she encouraged all the participants to participate in the discussion. Below are the responses of the participants to the questions raised during the focus group discussion: Gender equality situationer in the city/municipality Themes Responses Gender equality • All participants confirmed that they do not have specific policies gender equality policies at the barangay level Experiences with • All participants affirmed that the VAWC desk at the GAD mainstreaming barangay level is functional and budgeting • There were no trainings conducted for VAWC Desk focal person as of this writing • Recording of VAWC cases are done in the barangay level Gender-based violence in the city/municipality Themes Responses Common forms of • Physical abuse, Economic Abuse, Adultery GBV Groups affected by • Housewives (normally wives of farmers), Senior Citizens the GBV Observed trends in • BLGU responds to VAWC cases; GBV and factors • Cases are reported to the police or MSWD Difficult cases • No challenges/difficulties in referring cases to MSWD; • Cases are given attention promptly because BLGU VAW Desk representatives assist in referring cases to MSWD Flow of Management Case Themes Responses Entry points for GBV • VAW Desk cases • Victims/complainants initially approaches community leaders or leaders of women’s group who then refers cases to VAW Desk • Some cases are handled per sitio; Victims/complainants approaches Kagawad in-charge of the sitio who then refers the case to VAW Desk Available Services • Counselling 18