The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Region 8, dedicated to promoting gender-responsive local governance in Eastern Visayas, took an active role in the Safer Women Training of Trainers (TOT) aimed at enhancing the capabilities of Local Government Units (LGUs) in addressing Violence Against Women (VAW) and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) cases from January 20 to 24, 2025 at Luxent Hotel in Manila.
The sessions were led by expert facilitators, including legal professionals and advocates against GBV, who shared their valuable knowledge and insights on these important issues.
Participants took part in group discussions, feedback sessions, and case simulations to strengthen their grasp of the material and develop action plans for sustainability, monitoring and evaluation, and facilitation techniques.
This training was organized by the Sentro ng Alternatibong Lingap Panligal (SALIGAN) in partnership with the Governance in Justice (GoJust) Program and the DILG-National Barangay Operations Office (NBOO).
The event brought together DILG Violence Against Women (VAW) Regional Focal Officers, DILG-NBOO, the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW), and partner organizations SALIGAN and GoJust. LGOO IV and VAW Regional Focal Officer April Jo Castillo represented DILG Region 8 at the event.
Each region developed its own regional action plans to implement and maintain the Safer Women initiative. To bolster anti-VAWC and GBV strategies in the region, DILG 8's action plan includes regular monitoring of LCAT-VAWC activities and Safe Spaces Act Assessments, as well as ensuring participation in IACAT-VAWC quarterly meetings.
Looking ahead, regions identified with elevated cases of GBV and trafficking (Region 4A, CAR, NCR, Region 7) will be visited by SALIGAN and GoJust to further strengthen and disseminate the learnings to the identified LGUs, ensuring they are prepared to manage GBV and VAW incidents. As of the fourth quarter of 2024, Eastern Visayas reported 197 VAW cases and 202 VAC cases.
The training forms part of continued efforts to embed responsive and survivor-centered practices in the prevention of violence against women and gender-based violence.
The DILG Region 8 is steadfast in its commitment to ensure LGUs are adequately equipped to effectively manage VAW and GBV cases, fostering a safer and more inclusive Eastern Visayas. (CAA)
Photo courtesy to DILG Region 8
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