RIACAT-VAWC meets with tri-committees on Gender-based Violence and Child-Protection Group

Posted on February 2, 2022

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office Caraga, through the Protective Services Division (PSD), recently conducted a coordination meeting with the members of the Regional Child Protection Working Group (RCPWG) and the Regional Inter-agency Committee on Filipino Family (RIAC-FF), together with members of the Regional Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Trafficking and Violence Against Women and their Children (RIACAT-VAWC), on January 31, 2022 at Balanghai Hotel, Butuan City.

Members of RIACAT-VAWC and other committees joined during the 5th coordination meeting, tackled about the highlights and accomplishments of GBV-CP group

After the devastation of Odette, the members of these tri-committees conducted weekly coordination meetings to talk about issues and concerns on Gender-based Violence (GBV) and Child Protection (CP); discuss current progress, responses on ground, monitor the implementation of related services and interventions and coordinate local counterparts to strengthen mechanisms that would protect Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) especially women and children against abuse, violence and exploitation.

International organizations such as UNICEF, UNFPA UNCHR, Non-government organizations and other partners that implement GBV-CP activities in the Region also participated in the said meeting.

Highlights of the recently-concluded coordination meeting among others, were: conducted Rapid Assessment together with Tri-Cluster; activated RIACAT-VAWC and RCPWG and even included the RIAC-FF in the current operation; released/published advisories; progressive GBV-CP Coordination meetings; organized teams from IDP protection cluster who provided weekly PFA to IDPs in Siargao Islands, Surigao City, Province of Dinagat Islands and parts of Surigao del Norte.

Moreover, the committees also developed GBV-CP Performance Indicator Information Management Tool with assistance from UNICEF and other partners; developed Public Service Announcements/Informercials on GBV and CP and monitored GBV-CP cases and assist victims and survivors in accessing appropriate services and interventions.

DSWD, together with the RIACAT-VAWC and other women and child-protection organizations/groups will continue to work hand-in-hand to further strengthen the GBV-CP response mechanisms and provide appropriate services and interventions to IDPs affected by typhoon Odette.#