Maramag Focus Group Discussio on Gender Based Violence Referral Mechanism October 3, 2019 Maramag, Bukidnon prevalence of GBV cases, the willingness of women to report GBV, the ease of access to GBV services and to look at the quality of response of the different government agencies involved. Atty. Abrina said that the activity also aims to map out the community based and civil society groups involved in responding to GBV cases in Maramag. The information from discussions of the Maramag activity will contribute to the 32 case studies to be presented in the CHR National Report which will be based on the CHR regional reports. CHR-X will submit its report after the regional summit on November 25. CHR-X Attorney Pilipinas Palma acknowledged the organizations present at the start of the morning session.        MSWDO SSBO NDRRMO PNP WCPD Office Sangguniang Bayan Office of the Provincial Prosecutor HRMO / GAD Focal Person of Maramag Atty. Palma provided the background to the activity. That this is part of the Gender Based Violence Observatory Project of CHR that will launch its study on Gender Based Referral Mapping. The GBV Mapping has the following objectives:  Map GBV Referral mechanisms in two Cities/municipalities in the Regions AOR;  Look into effectiveness of these mechanisms in terms of availability of facilities, kinds of services, and advocacy and partnership with women‟s organizations  Identify challenges and barriers as well as document the good practices in reporting and investigation, prosecution and legal assistance, and providing support services;  Derive recommendations and proposals to improve the services and facilities offered by mechanisms on the ground; and,  Focus on the responses to and experiences of the most vulnerable and excluded. Atty Palma reiterated that CHR-X chose Cagayan de Oro and Maramag because of the high number of reported GBV cases based on information from the PNP Regional Office. At the provincial level Bukidnon is second in reported number of GBV cases after Misamis Oriental and Maramag is second in reported GBV cases in Bukidnon, after Manolo Fortich. Maramag was also chosen because of the presence of indigenous communities in the town. The CHR has already conducted FGD in five pilot areas before the Maramag FGD. Atty Palma explained that CHR is conducting the FGD as part of its mandate as Gender Ombud based on the Magna Carta for Women which gave CHR the following functions:     Monitor with the Philippine Commission on Women compliance with RA 9710 Establish guidelines and mechanisms that will facilitate access of women to legal remedies under RA 9710 and related laws Enhance the protection and promotion of the rights of women, especially marginalized women Assist in the filing of cases against individuals, agencies, institutions that violate RA 9710 provisions Atty Palma handed over to the Maramag LGU a hard copy of the CHR “Gender Ombud Guidelines”. The publication provides legal bases for government work on gender based violence; guide to work Page 4 of 13