Justice and Healing Project culmination event gathers advocates and duty-bearers

Justice and Healing, the two-year project supported by the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights Program (EIDHR) ended with a conference that gathered women’s rights advocates last November 28, 2012 at the Bayview Park Hotel in Ermita, Manila.

Women’s Feature Service Executive Director Ms. Olive Tripon presented the Project Overview followed by Women’s Crisis Center (WCC) Consultant Ms. Theresa Balayon who discussed the J&H Approach as a work in progress. Then, Women’s Legal Education, Advocacy, and Defense (WomenLEAD) Foundation Atty. Claire Angeline Pauig Luczon

Atty. Claire Luczon presented the experiences of Legal Practitioners in dealing with VAWC cases in courts. Meanwhile, Asia Society for Social Improvement and Sustainable Transformation (ASSIST) was represented by Project Development Specialist Margaret Yarcia.

The event featured two forums, the first of which featured: Former RTC Judge: Atty. Adoracion P. Cruz- Avisado, Chairperson, Transformative Justice Institute; Lawyer: Atty. Minerva Quintela, OIC WomenLead Foundation; PO2 Abigail Rayala of Guinobatan, Albay; and Barangay Official: Ms. Josie Fallesgon, GAD Focal Person, Brgy. Sauyo, Quezon City.

Meanwhile, the second forum panel was composed of LGU partner: Ms. Lorna Mandin, Executive Director, Integrated Gender and Development Division of Davao City; Area Coordinator: Ms. Agnes Carlos – Butuan City; Paralegal: Ms. Vera Gesite – Municipal Arts and Culture Coordinator, Alburquerque, Bohol; Service provider:Ms. Marie June Castro, program officer, DAWN Foundation, Bacolod City; and NGO: Atty Arnold Abejaron, President of Men Opposed to Violence Everywhere (MOVE) Davao.

Mr. Margarito Raynera, Programme Officer from the Delegation of the European Union to the Philippines then delivered closing remarks, through which he lauded the efforts of the Project Team and the participating organizations. For her part, musician Istarte Abraham presented a cultural performance.

The Justice and Healing project aims to strengthen components of the justice system to deliver rights-based and gender-sensitive services using the justice and healing perspective with respect to cases of VAW. #

 

Justice and Healing Project holds FGD at the Supreme Court

European Union-funded Justice and Healing Project held a focused group discussion with Supreme Court’s Committee on Gender Responsiveness last November 21, 2012.

The event was graced by Justice Teresita Leonardo-De Castro and 10 other committee members, as well as Atty. Dory Avisado of the Transformative Justice Institute.

Through the event, the Project Consortium sought the Committee’s commitment to help address the healing needs of victims of gender-based violence.

Project Implementers were led by Women’s Feature Service Executive Director Ms. Olive Tripon. Women’s Crisis Center was represented by Ms. Theresa Balayon, WomenLEAD Foundation by Attys. Claire Luczon and Minerva Quintela. ASSIST was represented by Project Development Specialist Margaret Yarcia.

Funded by the European Union under the European Initiative for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR) programme, The Justice and Healing project, aims to strengthen components of the justice system to deliver rights-based and gender-sensitive services using the justice and healing perspective with respect to cases of VAW.

The Justice and Healing project is implemented by WFS together with its partners, Women’s Crisis Center (WCC), Women’s Legal Education, Advocacy, and Defense (WomenLEAD) Foundation, and the Asia Society for Social Improvement and Sustainable Transformation (ASSIST).#

Justice and Healing Project holds roundtable on violence against women

The Justice and Healing Project, an initiative co-implemented by  Asia Society for Social Improvement and Sustainable Transformation (ASSIST), held a Round table Discussion on Justice and Healing for Victim-survivors of Gender-based Violence on October 30, 2012 (Tuesday, 8:00am – 10:30am) at the Ortigas Foundation Library, 2nd Floor Ortigas Building, Ortigas corner Meralco Avenues, Ortigas Center, Pasig City.

Led by Project Lead Women’s Feature Service through Executive Director Ms. Olive Tripon and NCR Project Coordinator Ms. Angelica Carballo, it was graced by Department of Social Welfare and development Haven for Children Center Head Ms. Evangelina Lawas, Philippine National Police Women and Children Protection Center and P. Supt. Theresa Cid.

The Discussion aims to give information on the different issues of Violence Against Women (VAW) and the Justice and Healing project. The organizers will also present the results of the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) from the post-barangay forum. It is also the final community activity of the Justice and Healing project, which will end on November. Through this, the project partners sought the support of the stakeholders to sustain the Justice and Healing approach in dealing with VAW cases.

Funded by the European Union under the European Initiative for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR) programme, The Justice and Healing project, aims to strengthen components of the justice system to deliver rights-based and gender-sensitive services using the justice and healing perspective with respect to cases of VAW.

The Justice and Healing project is implemented by WFS together with its partners, Women’s Crisis Center (WCC), Women’s Legal Education, Advocacy, and Defense (WomenLEAD) Foundation, and the Asia Society for Social Improvement and Sustainable Transformation (ASSIST).

Other attendees were local community leaders from barangay UP Campus and 172 of Malibay, Pasay, service providers from the government, non-government organizations (NGOs), law enforcers, media, and other other stakeholders on the issue of violence against women. Ms. Margaret Yarcia represented ASSIST. #

Justice and Healing Holds Stakeholders Meeting, Last Barangay Forum

The Justice and Healing Project conducted a stakeholders forum and the last of its 15 barangay forums last June 14 and June 26, 2012, respectively.

The Stakeholders’ Meeting gathered representatives from the Project Team as well as the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Philippine Commission on Women, and the European Commission, to discuss experiences from past barangay forums, sustainability of anti-VAW advocacy, and the commitments of duty-bearers.

The barangay forum, on the other hand, convened officials and women’s advocates from Brgys. 169 and 172 in Malibay, Pasay City, with the help of the Soroptomists International.

After Olive Tripon of Women’s Feature Service introduced the Project and the implementers, Lilibeth Santos and Anamabel Garcia of the Women’s Crisis Center (WCC) presented on the insights of service providers from their experiences in handling cases of gender-based violence.

Meanwhile Atty. Claire Luczon and Women’s Legal Education, Advocacy and Defense Foundation, Inc. (WomenLEAD) discussed on the various laws on violence against women. Finally, Meg Yarcia of Asia Society for Social Improvement and Sustainable Transformation (ASSIST) led the workshop which saw the barangay officials presenting what they are currently doing, and promise to do, in addressing cases of violence against women.

Through the forum, the Project Team hoped to engage various groups – the police, barangay officials, and women’s rights advocates in a discussion to address violence against women (VAW) and the long journey in seeking justice and healing.

Supported by the European Union through the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR), The Justice and Healing project seeks to strengthen the components of the justice system to deliver rights-based and gender-sensitive services using the Justice and Healing perspective with respect to the VAW cases.

The project is implemented by WFS, WCC, WomenLEAD, and ASSIST.

Women’s groups open discussions on Justice and Healing for VAW victims

As part of the women’s month celebration, the Justice and Healing Project Team hosted a forum-launch on its project Justice and Healing for Victim-survivors of Gender-based Violence on March 28, 2012 at the AIM Conference Center in Makati City.

The forum aims to engage various groups – the police, barangay officials, and women’s rights advocates in a discussion to address violence against women (VAW) and the long journey in seeking justice and healing.

The program also served as the launch some of its project publications: “Springboards for Women’s Journeys Toward Justice and Healing: A Baseline Report” on the experiences of survivors and service providers including lawyers, prosecutors and judges with VAW laws, conducted by Women’s Crisis Center (WCC) and Women’s Legal Education, Advocacy and Defense Foundation, Inc. (WomenLEAD); “Compendium of Laws and Rules on VAW Litigation” compiled by WomenLEAD for the Paralegal Skills Training in VAW Litigation for Community Service Providers, and; Justice and Healing Legal Monograph — the first of three legal monographs on gender controversial aspects identified by WomenLEAD that need to be addressed.

The event gathered leading advocates against gender-based violence, namely Olivia Tripon of Women’s Feature Service (WFS), Atty. Claire Luczon of Women LEAD, Theresa Balayon of WCC. A response was given by Winnie Penaredondo, a VAW survivor/advocate .

The Justice and Healing project seeks to strengthen the components of the justice system to deliver rights-based and gender-sensitive services using the Justice and Healing perspective with respect to the VAW cases.

Funded by the European Union through the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR), the project is implemented by WFS, WCC, WomenLEAD, and the Asia Society for Social Improvement and Sustainable Transformation (ASSIST).#

Justice and Healing Project goes to Davao

The Justice and Healing (J&H) Project launched back to back activities in Davao City last December 2 and 3, 2011 for the Mindanao leg of its visibility and education campaigns.

J&H is a project funded by the EU’s (European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR) Programme and implemented by the Women’s Feature Service (WFS) – Project Lead, Asia Society for Social Improvement and Sustainable Transformation (ASSIST) , Women’s Crisis Center (WCC), and 3) Women’s Legal Education, Advocacy & Defense Foundation, Inc. (WomenLEAD).

It seeks to strengthen components of the justice system to deliver human rights-based and gender-sensitive services using the justice and healing perspective with respect to VAW cases, and recognizes the crucial role of barangay-level service providers and duty-bearers in creating a violence-free community.

This approach to dealing with survivors of gender-based violence was introduced in a visibility campaign for women advocates, law enforcers and lawyers held at the Grand Men Seng Hotel in Matina, Davao City, and a forum held at the barangay hall of Brgy. Buhangin.

ASSIST was represented by Communications and Visibility Associate Meg Yarcia. #

ASSIST Justice and Healing initiative featured on GMA 7

The Justice and Healing project co-implemented by the Asia Society for Social Improvement and Sustainable Transformation (ASSIST) was cited on GMA 7 as another initiative that contributes to the campaign against domestic violence in Cebu City, where the Project Team held a barangay forum, media campaign and legal clinic last November 24 and 25, 2011.

Designed to “educate and capacitate the various components of judicial systems so as to be able to deliver rights-based and gender-sensitive services with respect to VAW cases”, the J&H Project is an initiative funded by the EU’s (European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR) Programme and implemented by the Women’s Feature Service (WFS) – Project Lead, ASSIST, Women’s Crisis Center (WCC), and 3) Women’s Legal Education, Advocacy & Defense Foundation, Inc. (WomenLEAD).

To view the coverage, click here: http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/video/100421/kampanya-vs-domestic-violence-mas-pinaigting-sa-cebu

Sen. Pia Cayetano graces Justice and Healing FGD with Family Court Judges

Senator Pia Cayetano graced the Focus Group Discussion with Family Court Judges on the use of RA 9262 and other laws on VAW (Violence Against Women) held last November 17, 2011 at the Pecson Room of the Philippine Senate for the Justice and Healing project funded by the European Union (EU). 

 

Held in partnership with the Office of Senator Cayetano and the Philippine Commission on Women with the Inter-agency Council against Violence Against Women (IAC-VAWC), the goal of the discussion was to draw insights from the experience of judges in the litigation of the aggressors and administration of justice. For her part, Sen. Cayetano shared her efforts in promoting women’s rights and raised points for the purpose of sponsoring amendments to further strengthen laws on VAW, in her capacity as the Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Youth, Women and Family Relations.

The J&H Project is an initiative funded by the EU’s (European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR) Programme and implemented by the Women’s Feature Service (WFS) – Project Lead, Asia Society for Social Improvement and Sustainable Transformation (ASSIST), Women’s Crisis Center (WCC), and 3) Women’s Legal Education, Advocacy & Defense Foundation, Inc. (WomenLEAD)

Philippine Commission on Women Deputy Director Manuela Silva welcomed the participants and Atty. Claire Luczon of WomenLEAD served as the facilitator. Meanwhile, Ms. Olive Tripon of WFS delivered the closing remarks, and ASSIST Communications and Visibility Associate Margaret P. Yarcia represented ASSIST

For inquiries about the FGD report, please e-mail meg@assistasia.org. #

ASSIST and Women’s Crisis Center wrap up EU-funded USE RA 9262 project

The Asia Society for Social Improvement and Sustainable Transformation (ASSIST) and the Women’s Crisis Center (WCC) held back to back activities to wrap up the USE RA 9262 project (Undertaking Survivors’ Experience in accessing Republic Act (RA) 9262 or Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act).

With the theme “Approaches to Violence in the Family Revisited and Enhanced,” the National Network of Family Violence Prevention Programs held a Partners Assembly at the Cloud 9 Resort in Antipolo City last October 17 to 20, 2011.

Highlights include small group and plenary discussions on moving forward with anti-VAWC campaigns, with special emphasis on enhancing services for vulnerable groups, setting up courtwatches, instituting continuing education for service providers, and maintaining the electronic monitoring system for cases. The partners also evaluated the project and expressed commitments towards violence-free communities in a solidarity program.

As a culminating activity, ASSIST and WCC also conducted a roundtable discussion on Revisiting the Battered Woman Syndrome as as a Psychological Concept and Legal Defense at the Sulo Riviera Hotel last October 21, 2011.

Advocates as well as members of the judicial system attended to share their thoughts on the definition, evolution, and utilization of BWS in psychosocial interventions, in education, training, and advocacy, and in the courts.

Speakers include Ms. Lilibeth Santos, WCC Crisis Worker, Ms. Salvacion Baaco-Pascual, Former Program Coordinator of WCC Feminist Research and Documentation unit, who presented research on the BWS, and UP’s Dr. Sylvia “Guy” Estrada-Claudio, who provided a feminist clinician’s perspective.

Also present to share BWS as used in the legal practice were Atty. Arnold C. Abejaron, Atty. Claire Angeline P. Luczon, Atty. Claire A. Padilla and Atty.  Rowena V. Guanzon, the latter, incidentally, being one of the consultants in drafting of the RA 9262.

USE R.A.9262 or Undertaking Survivors’ Experiences (in accessing) R.A. 9262, a two-year research, capacity-building, and networking project, is funded by the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR) of the European Union.#

USE RA 9262 trains NATCCO officers, managers

by Sheena Opulencia

Cebu City, SEPTEMBER 24 – The Asia Society for Social Improvement and Sustainable Transformation (ASSIST) and the Women’s Crisis Center (WCC) converged with the National Confederation of Cooperatives (NATCCO) for an Awareness Training activity under the USE RA 9262 project with NATCCO Officers and Managers on Republic Act (RA) 9262 or Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children (VAWC).

The Awareness Training focused on the relationship of NATCCO objectives and programs with the USE RA 9262 goals. Ms. Mary Jardiniano of WCC facilitated the morning session by giving a thorough discussion about the law, its provisions, implementing rules and regulations, and how it affects the plight of VAWC victim-survivors.  Participants shared their own experiences about VAWC, highlighting the conditions of cooperative members who were also abused.

The afternoon session allowed the participants to be more interactive, with Ms. Sheena Carmel Opulencia of ASSIST conducting the Training Design and Administration on RA 9262. Participants were asked to prepare Training Needs Survey forms, perform Training Needs Analyses and Training Designs. The participants were encouraged to pattern their designs according to the present conditions of their cooperatives and the general membership.

The one-day training involved officers and managers of NATCCO in the Visayas region, most of which are managing cooperatives within communities. Ms. Emy Santos, Group Head for Member Relations and Networking of NATCCO, coordinated with the USE RA 9262 project team as a part of their gender advocacy program. The awareness training is a part of the USE RA 9262 indirect capacity building of other community stakeholders against VAWC. #