22 IV. Key Highlights, Analysis, and Recommendations The GBV Observatory is a GBV resource hub which seeks to provide updated information on normative standards on GBV from the international to domestic level. It features GBV research on the implementation of laws and how GBV manifests in the lived experiences of women, girls, and persons of diverse SOGIESC. In view of the continuing prevalence of GBV in the country coupled with manifold barriers to access to justice, the GBV Observatory monitors the State’s obligations in addressing GBV and in forwards key policy recommendations. As part of the GBV Observatory, the regional mapping of legal referral mechanisms was carried out in CHR’s regional offices. Its goal is to build capacity among GBV responders and strengthen local inter-agency responses to GBV. FGDs were conducted in each region to document victim profiles and their common experiences, GBV trends, regional processes in GBV management, system gaps, and recommended solutions. Key highlights follow. One key finding of the GBV Mapping conducted by the regional offices is the continuing lack of awareness and limited knowledge among community women, and some service providers on GBV. Poverty and the lack of education is also observed to be common among victims of violence across all regions. Women, children, PWDs, and sexual minorities, especially those unaware of their human rights, are vulnerable to GBV. Abusers are usually family members, often husbands or paternal figures Outside of home, GBV occurs in public spaces including schools, workplaces and places of leisure. There is not one attributed reason for causes of violent acts by male perpetrators. Instead, service providers and CSO representatives see women abused for failing to conform with gender expected gender roles, things like accidentally burning meals or any act which makes their perpetrator feel defied. Religious and cultural belief systems reinforce patriarchy among communities across regions. Women residing in NCR are criticized as being overly emotional and sensitive if they make sexual harassment complaints. The same is experienced in other regions, and in worse cases as in predominantly Muslim areas, life threats are aimed at women who speak out against their abusers. This mentality is further encouraged by the country’s current political landscape, where popular leaders promote machismo and the devaluing of other genders, promoting patriarchy more than ever. Patriarchy trickles down to the masses, encouraging the exercise of a sense of male power over other genders, often leading to various forms of violence. GBV victims experience a variety of emotional states including fear, hopelessness, and devastation. Women, often mothers, face uncertainty over their violent experiences and their family’s near future. Several consider enduring abuse in exchange of not losing their breadwinner. Children and teens who experience abuse have more difficulty in processing their emotions. In addition, GBV victims face intimidating investigation processes and a slow justice system, leading to their further discouragement from seeing