Tuguegarao City – The Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office 02 (DSWD-FO2) launched its Process Flow on Gender-Related Issues through its Grievance Redress System (GRS) in a series of Family Development Sessions (FDS) with Pantawid beneficiaries focusing on Violence Against Women and their Children conducted region wide during the women’s month celebration in March of this year.

Taking 2 years-from 2015 to 2016- in the making, the Process flow was crafted in response to DSWD Administrative Order #5 series of 2012, recognizing the need for all government agencies to adopt Gender and Development (GAD) mainstreaming as a strategy to uphold women welfare.

In partnership with the Regional Grievance Officer, Ms. Valenie Cauilan, GAD Focal Mac Paul Alariao set up a step by step guide in the progression up to the resolution of a gender-related incidence taking cognizance of the vital role of the Municipal Action Team (MAT) in taking initial measures to provide settlement of the case.

The Process Flow also identifies the strategic roles of the Provincial Operations Office (POO) and the Regional Program Management Office (RPMO) through its Fact Finding Team which includes recognizing the socio-psychological needs of the victim in order to provide the appropriate assistance.

During the series of information dissemination at the beneficiary level, the Pantawid parent leaders were encouraged to take part in fostering its advocacy with the barangay, municipal and other concerned local government partners.

According to the management team, this kind of practice could be an effective tool of the local government unit in addressing the alarming rate of incidence of gender-related violence in their respective jurisdiction. This is also another way to cultivate awareness among women which will later on empower them to promote women’s rights.