14 Regardless of identity, all persons are born equal in dignity and rights, including the right to be free from discrimination and gender-based violence. It is the State’s obligation to respect, protect, and fulfill these rights, including ensuring that remedies are available and accessible regardless of gender, social and economic class, or any other status. The Philippines has updated its legal framework in the protection of individuals, especially women from different forms of GBV. These include RA 9262, RA 8353, RA 9710, and RA 11313. FGDs with service providers and community women discuss how the above mentioned laws are implemented and translated into services in each Philippine region. Of all represented regions, only six barangays currently have or are gathering data to record demographics in their area. These barangays are from regions 1, 3, 4A, 10, 12, and CARAGA. Updated demographics are important for context in providing services tailored to fit to the needs of the community or the sector concerend. These should include gender disparity in terms of access to basic needs, services, economic activities, and overall situation of residents of an area. The GAD Code and ordinances are meant to guide local government units in operations regarding the protection of women, children, and persons of diverse sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression. Community representatives from regions 4A and 5 reported having local GAD policies and programs with projects and activities closely implemented in partnerships with CSOs and religious organizations. Region 5 holds regular awareness campaigns on GBV. Their LGUs conduct sectoral consultations on the GAD Code, women’s health, and child protection. Other services included the establishment of women’s centers, temporary shelters, and disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) programs. CSO representatives from regions 1, 2, 4A, and 8 report that local communities are often unaware of GAD policies in their regions. Regions 1, 9, and 12 FGD participants report that some national laws and policies on GBV are not well disseminated in their regions.Some local residents are only aware of specific policies such as the anti-gossip policy in region 2, region 9’s anti-sexual harassment policy in the work place, and region 5’s anti-catcalling policy. The absence or limited access to information on GBV and its remedies still persists. CSO representatives in the FGDs also report that there is little opportunity for women to participate in policy-making. CSOs from region 9 are able to attend GBV orientations and immersions. CSOs from region 2 and 5 report having participated in public hearings on GBV. CSO representatives from region 1 report that government CSOs are often given priority over independent CSOs in invitations for hearings. Others have not been able to participate in policy-making activities in their regions.This highlights the continuing gap with respect of women’s participation and representation during capacity building activities and in planning and programming on GBV response.