Background of the Activity The Regional Mapping of Legal Referral Mechanisms on Gender-Based Violence is a continuation of the initial mapping conducted under the Gender Based Violence Observatory Project. This project was carried out in 2018 as part of the efforts to respond and recognize continuing prevalence of gender-based violence and the continuing challenges in women’s access to justice. Through the GBV Observatory Project, the Commission on Human Rights, with funding support from Go Just, undertook research engagements that looked at how laws on GBV are implemented and how GBV manifests in the lived experiences of women. The GBV Observatory is envisioned to contribute to the monitoring of state’s obligations in addressing GBV and in forwarding key policy recommendations. It also aims for a deeper and wider understanding of GBV, enhancing women’s access to justice, and in general, in making data work for women. It further hopes to address one of the key targets of SDG 5 (Gender Equality), on the elimination of all forms of violence against women and girls in public and private spaces, including trafficking and sexual violence and other types of exploitation. The GBV Observatory Project began in 2018 spearheaded by the Center for Gender Equality and Women’s Human Rights and led by focal Commissioner for Women, Commissioner Karen Gomez Dumpit. The specific objectives of the project included the review of the roles of state actors in addressing GBV, the mapping of existing legal referral mechanisms, and the documentation of processes, key themes and discourses, including the identification of issues, gaps, and challenges. As one of the major components of GBV Observatory Project, the Regional Mapping of Legal Referral Mechanisms on Gender-Based Violence aims to achieve the following objectives: 1. Capacitate the officers and staff of the 16 regional offices of the Commission on the mapping of legal referral mechanisms, identification of issues, gaps and challenges, and responding to gaps through the regional office’s mandate of protection, promotion, and policy; 2. Harness the capacities of the Commission’s 16 Regional Offices in monitoring functionality of referral mechanisms, providing recommendations, and influencing enhanced functionality and responsiveness of local inter-agency mechanisms to respond to VAW; It aims to strengthen Commission’s mandate as Gender Ombud; and 3. Gather regional data on GBV, particularly highlighting issues faced by the most marginalized and ‘excluded,’ a focus on intersectionality, and an analysis that looks into women’s lived experience of GBV. On September 12-13, 2019, the CHR Region XI implemented the mapping of legal referral mechanisms on gender-based violence in partnership with the Municipality of Sta. Maria. These activities were participated by the different members of the LGU. This document outlines the details of the processes that took place during these activities. 3