Methodology:
The Focus Group Discussion was conducted last October 16, 2020 via zoom. The dialogue
was facilitated by Atty. Aurora Luanne C. Ramos, focal person for the women sector, and
co-focals Atty. Reshiel C. Calipayan and Ms. Maria Theresa Neri. The FGD was attended
by PAO, PNP-Regional WCPD, CSWD, LGU Butuan, and selected VAW Desk Officers.
The FGD started with a message from Regional Director Atty. Jerefe D. Tubigon-Bacang
followed by a discussion on the background and objectives of the activity by Mr. Oliver O.
Salino.
Background
The CHR as the country’s gender ombud has been mapping existing referral mechanisms
of GBV cases or Gender-Based Violence cases. Through a series of discussion nationwide,
the entire regional offices of the Commission on Human Rights conducted FGDs in the
community level to document continuing gaps and challenges faced by both victimsurvivors in accessing justice in GBV cases. Initial findings surfaced gaps existing in the
referral mechanisms in the different levels in the referral structure.
Among these gaps observed are the following:
1. Lack of sufficient information and knowledge of laws pertaining to GBV
2. Agencies are unable to give full assistance and protection to victim-survivors
3. Lack of existing referral mechanism, in effect victims are referred back and forth
to the same agencies because there is no established method prescribing on the
step by step process for GBV cases reporting.
4. Less information on the availability of services especially for women with
disability, and women in Geographically Isolated in Disadvantage Areas or GIDA.
There has been presence of gaps and challenges faced by women with multiple and
intersecting forms of discrimination, particularly IP women with physical disabilities. In
effect they have doubling incapacities, one as an IP and the other as a differently-abled
woman.
The GBV mapping also highlighted gaps in the provision of basic support services. An
exact example for women who are victims of GBV are women who live in remote and
isolated areas where services from the MSWD and PNP are inaccessible.
At present, with the onset of the pandemic, GBV violations are often unreported and
undocumented. Prior to COVID19, IP women had difficulties reporting violations and
this situation has worsened because of the restrictions imposed by lockdown protocols.
In addition, according to the PNP, there is an alarming decrease in reporting GBV cases.
The quarantine protocols and lockdown hinders the reporting of cases, basically.