Violence Against Women desks in barangays lack equipment and officers who can carry out responsibilities effectively

08 Mar 2024

UP Diliman, UP Los Baños

The Violence Against Women (VAW) Desk, established by virtue of Republic Act 9710 or the Magna Carta of Women, is a barangay-level facility that helps victim-survivors who have faced various types of abuse. Typically located within the barangay hall, it is managed by a VAW desk officer appointed by the Punong Barangay.

This study was conducted to assess the status of VAW desks in selected barangays of Calamba City, Laguna, Philippines looking at three levels: (1) the policies and laws on VAW; (2) the VAW desk setup proper; and (3) the officers manning the VAW desks. Data was gathered from a survey of 105 VAW desks officers, interviews with five local officials and secondary documents. Results showed that the policies for establishing VAW desks were properly enforced in the city; however, there is still a lack of equipment and resources in certain barangays. In addition, as there are no clear qualifications needed to be a desk officer, the age and educational background of the officers limit their capacity to perform their responsibilities effectively. There is also no regular orientation of the officers on their roles and responsibilities.

The study recommends to: (1) amend the VAW policy to include the basic qualifications of desk officers; (2) capacitate the desk officers through trainings and collaborations with other officers of the barangays in the city; (3) allocate sufficient funds to the VAW desks to ensure their full functionality; and (4) strengthen the feedback system and enforcement of rewards or penalties to motivate proper functioning of the desk officers. The study hopes to contribute to local governance perspectives, specifically on multi-level coordination, to effectively address VAW and provide gender and development support services.

Authors: Gillian Dorado Consignado (Department of Social Development Services, College of Human Ecology, University of the Philippines Los Baños), Jennifer Marie Sunga Amparo (Department of Social Development Services, College of Human Ecology, University of the Philippines Los Baños) and Erwin Gaspar Alday Alampay (National College of Public Administration and Governance, University of the Philippines Diliman)

Read the full article: https://doi.org/10.47836/pjssh.30.2.25

Violence Against Women desks in barangays lack equipment and officers who can carry out responsibilities effectively

The Violence Against Women (VAW) Desk, established by virtue of Republic Act 9710 or the Magna Carta of Women, is a barangay-level facility that helps victim-survivors who have faced various types of abuse. Typically located within the barangay hall, it is managed by a VAW desk officer appointed by the Punong Barangay.

This study was conducted to assess the status of VAW desks in selected barangays of Calamba City, Laguna, Philippines looking at three levels: (1) the policies and laws on VAW; (2) the VAW desk setup proper; and (3) the officers manning the VAW desks. Data was gathered from a survey of 105 VAW desks officers, interviews with five local officials and secondary documents. Results showed that the policies for establishing VAW desks were properly enforced in the city; however, there is still a lack of equipment and resources in certain barangays. In addition, as there are no clear qualifications needed to be a desk officer, the age and educational background of the officers limit their capacity to perform their responsibilities effectively. There is also no regular orientation of the officers on their roles and responsibilities.

The study recommends to: (1) amend the VAW policy to include the basic qualifications of desk officers; (2) capacitate the desk officers through trainings and collaborations with other officers of the barangays in the city; (3) allocate sufficient funds to the VAW desks to ensure their full functionality; and (4) strengthen the feedback system and enforcement of rewards or penalties to motivate proper functioning of the desk officers. The study hopes to contribute to local governance perspectives, specifically on multi-level coordination, to effectively address VAW and provide gender and development support services.

Authors: Gillian Dorado Consignado (Department of Social Development Services, College of Human Ecology, University of the Philippines Los Baños), Jennifer Marie Sunga Amparo (Department of Social Development Services, College of Human Ecology, University of the Philippines Los Baños) and Erwin Gaspar Alday Alampay (National College of Public Administration and Governance, University of the Philippines Diliman)

Read the full article: https://doi.org/10.47836/pjssh.30.2.25