Maramag Focus Group Discussio on Gender Based Violence Referral Mechanism October 3, 2019 Maramag, Bukidnon AFTERNOON FOCUS GROUP DISCUSSION The same with the morning session, Atty Palma provided the background of the activity after acknowledging the organizations present at the start of the session for the afternoon Focus Group Discussion: San Andres Parish Women‟s Advocate Maramag Teen Center / Tambayan ng Kabataan South Poblacion Barangay VAWC Desk North Poblacion Barangay Women‟s Group Maramag Municipal Council Atty Kristine T. Gaudiel and CHR-X Special Investigator Fides Teresa Cabana facilitated the Focus Group Discussion with Civil Society Organizations in the Afternoon Session. As in the morning session, the discussion will focus on five topics: 1. Gender equality situationer in Maramag 2. Gender-based violence in Maramag 3. Case management for GBV (specific to the service provider) 4. Documentation 5. Recommendations GENDER EQUALITY SITUATIONER The facilitators asked the group whether they know of any gender related policy in Maramag: The Municipal Counselor said that there are livelihood projects supported by the municipal Gender and Development (GAD) Budget being extended to women‟s groups in barangays. There are also other trainings for women aside from livelihood. Aside from that, there are also women‟s assemblies during International Women‟s Month. All these passed through the approval of the municipal council. The South Poblacion Barangay VAWC Desk replied that they have trainings for VAWC Desk Officers and they also provide counseling for women. The BNSHI Teen Center shared their services: they have peer counselors that facilitate focus group discussions on teen issues such as pregnancy, SOGIE, depression, etc; their strategy is to focus on “prevention”, if they cannot handle a case they refer this to the Maramag Teen Center from which they get support including funding. Any information shared with the center is kept confidential. The San Andres Parish women‟s advocate shared that they also facilitate trainings for women, but they have not yet tapped the GAD budget of Maramag. The North Poblacion Barangay Women‟s Group said they refer VAWC cases to the PNP or the MSWDO. GENDER BASED VIOLENCE IN MARAMAG Page 11 of 13