2. To monitor the implementation of MCW provisions on women fisherfolks by analyzing their roles, economic participation and recognition, access to information and resources, impact on food production, experiences of marginalization and discrimination, and gender based violence. 3. To document the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on women fisherfolks. 4. To document awareness and availment of government programs in response to COVID-19 by women. 5. To gather recommendations from the ground. Methodology The CHR Representatives introduced the projects and guidelines to the participants which also includes CHR mandate as Gender Ombud, consent form and a list of focus group questions for women fisherfolks and government service providers. This focuses on the importance of marginalized sector such as women fisherfolks and the general objectives of the activity. The questions for each FGD session were derived using the following key factors below: Women fisherfolks: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Roles Economic Participation and Recognition Access to information, resources, and food production Experiences of Marginalized, Stigma, Discrimination Trafficking and Gender-based Violence General Impact of Covid-19 Pandemic Government service providers: 1. Situationers of Women Fisherfolks 2. Policies and Programs; 3. Covid-19 Impact and program The FGD conducted at Municpaility of Iba, Zambales was organized by CHR Region III with the support of local government unit (LGU). Despite the pandemic, invitation and coordination with the LGU was done smoothly. And because of the COVID-19 pandemic, guidelines and protocols were observed during the discussion. Demographic Two (2) focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted at the same day where twenty-four (24) women fisherfolks attended and twenty-two (22) from government service providers, a total of forty-six (46) participants. Each discussion lasted for 3 hours. The first group discussion involves 23 women fisherfolks, Majority age of the respondents were between 32-51 years old, and nearly all of them are married. Most of the respondents has educational background of high school level. Respondents were very knowledgeable and skilled in various level of small scale fishing process such as pre-production work, sewing fishing nets, preparing and processing dried fish goods (example: pagtitinapa, daing, tuyo etc.), selling of fishes and other seafood at the market and nearby barangay (rolling store). Page 4 of 17