Cotabato City – The 1st Technical Working Group (TWG) Meeting on the PNP Regional Guidance Note on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Prevention and Response for F.Y. 2024 was successfully held on July 10, 2024, at Infinitea – G/F HH Building, Sinsuat Avenue. The meeting saw the participation of representatives from the Ministry of Health (MOH), PNP PRO-BAR, Bangsamoro Human Rights Commission (BHRC), Nonviolent Peaceforce, and UNFPA.
On the Regional PNP Guidance Note on GBV Prevention and Response:
The agenda primarily revolved around the following key points:
1. Training Of Trainers (TOT) for the PNP Regional Guidance Note on the Prevention of and Response to GBV and Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Community Rollout in the provinces of Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi.
2. Rollout Plans for the PNP Regional Guidance Note on GBV Prevention and Response, covering both the Mainland and Island Provinces of BARMM.
3. Turnover of 350 physical copies of the PNP Regional Guidance Note to ensure widespread accessibility and effective implementation.
On addressing Child, Early, and Forced Marriages (CEFM) in BARMM:
1. Focus Group Discussion (FGD) on the proposed Interfaith Dialogue – A comprehensive FGD was conducted on the proposed Interfaith Dialogue, which will involve Non-Moro and Non-Moro Indigenous Peoples (IPs). This aims to address Child, Early, and Forced Marriages (CEFM) in BARMM. This initiative, to be funded by UNFPA, will focus on developing actionable strategies to tackle this critical issue.
On the localization of the Regional Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security (WPS):
1. Proposed Community of Practice (COP) on WPS for the Mainland – The establishment of a Community of Practice to enhance collaborative efforts on Women, Peace, and Security in the Mainland provinces.
2. Proposed Community of Practice (COP) on WPS for BASULTA – Similar initiatives were proposed for the BASULTA (Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi) regions to ensure localized and effective implementation.
3. Localization Efforts – Discussions on the localization of the Regional Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security highlighted the need for tailored strategies to address the unique challenges in each area.
This meeting marks a significant step towards enhancing the coordination and implementation of GBV prevention and response initiatives in the BARMM, reflecting the collective commitment of various stakeholders to promote gender equality and safeguard the rights and welfare of women and children in the region.