DAVAO CITY, Philippines – The Davao City Council approved on third and final reading on Tuesday, November 7, an ordinance establishing a violence against women (VAW) desk in barangays.
The ordinance mandates all barangay captains to designate an area for the VAW desk within the barangay hall and appoint a VAW desk officer, preferably a woman barangay kagawad or tanod, who is trained in gender-sensitive handling of cases.
The VAW desk shall respond to gender-based violence cases brought to the barangay, keep the case records confidential and secured, coordinate with and refer cases to other government agencies, non-government organizations (NGOs) and institutions.
Desk officers are also mandated to develop the barangay’s gender-responsive plan and lead advocacies on the elimination of VAW in the community.
Here are some of the things you should know about the barangay VAW desk.
