Freedom From Fear - QRT 2

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FREEDOM FROM FEAR Testimonies on the Benefits of QRTs

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Freedom from Fear: Establishing a Quick Response Team for Violence Against Women A Guide for Local Government Testimonies on the Benefits of QRTs Copyright Š 2003 Philippines-Canada Local Government Support Program (LGSP) All rights reserved The Philippines-Canada Local Government Support Program encourages the use, translation, adaptation and copying of this material for non-commercial use, with appropriate credit given to LGSP. Although reasonable care has been taken in the preparation of this book, neither the publisher and/or contributor and/or editor can accept any liability for any consequence arising from the use thereof or from any information contained herein.

ISBN 971-92687-2-7 Printed and bound in Manila, Philippines Published by: Philippines-Canada Local Government Support program (LGSP) Unit 1507 Jollibee Plaza Emerald Avenue, Pasig City 1600 Philippines Tel. Nos. (632) 637 3511-13 www.lgsp.org.ph This project was undertaken with the financial support of the Government of Canada provided through the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).

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AS

SA KABUH AAN AY IW A

AT PAPAUNLA D PAG

UB

NA

S

R

EP

Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG)

N

MBANSANG PA NG PA

A JOINT PROJECT OF

L IK A N G P ILIP I

National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA)

Canadian International Development Agency

IMPLEMENTED BY

Agriteam Canada www.agriteam.ca

Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) www.fcm.ca

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contents Acronyms 7 Benefits of QRTs 11 A QRT enables your LGU to respond to an urgent but neglected problem in a direct and immediate manner. 12 You fulfill your responsibility for GAD mainstreaming in your local government unit. 12

You reduce the economic costs of VAW, family violence and poor reproductive health. 14 Your LGU becomes a catalyst for change. 15 Gender-responsiveness contributes to good governance. 16 You build the capacities of your service providers in responding to the needs of the community. 17 By building peace, you build communities. 18 A Final Note 19 References 20

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acronyms CAPIU CHO CSWDO GAD LGU QRT QRT2 VAW

Child Abuse Prevention and Intervention Unit City Health Office City Social Welfare and Development Office Gender and Development Local Government Unit Quick Response Team Freedom From Fear: Book Two Violence Against Women

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What are the benefits of having a Quick Response Team for VAW,

and Reproductive

Health Counseling?

Undestanding VAW and Reproductive Health

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L

ocal governments and communities around the Philippines are reaping the benefits of establishing QRTs to address Violence Against Women (VAW), Family Violence (FV) and/or Reproductive Health (RH).

The names and focus of these different QRTs may differ– some QRTs focus on family or domestic violence, others deal with child abuse or the larger issue of VAW. But these QRTs serve to focus on gender and family issues – two often overlooked concerns in local governance.

Benefits of QRTs

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Your LGU acts directly and immediately to a neglected problem.

You fulfill your responsibility for GAD mainstreaming in your local government unit.

You reduce the economic and monetary costs of family violence and poor reproductive health.

Your LGU becomes a catalyst for change.

Gender-responsiveness contributes to good governance.

You build the capacities of your service providers in responding to the needs of the community.

By building peace, you build communities.

Listen to what some of these mayors, city and municipal councilors, social welfare officers, barangay officials have to say. qrt 2

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A QRT enables your LGU to respond to an urgent but neglected problem in a direct and immediate manner “It is high time that we take a closer look at women’s situation and respond to their issues and problems. LGUs have focused on infrastructure and economic programs; and have neglected and disregarded women as a sector. Partnering with organizations like DAWN to promote the cause of women is a good start.”

Mayor Oscar Montilla, Jr. Sipalay City, Negros Occidental

While cases of VAW and family violence are often known in the community, they are seldom seen as public issues to be acted upon. For example, neighbors and local government officials still see family violence as a family matter, too private for government or the community to interfere. As a result, family violence and other forms of VAW are often only sporadically or meagerly addressed.

A QRT redresses this local government neglect and provides an institutional mechanism to address VAW and family violence.

More importantly, a QRT gives immediate, directlyfelt results. ◗ ◗ ◗ ◗ ◗ ◗

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Women and children who are abused get emergency medical treatment and counseling Family crises are resolved promptly and effectively Health and injury complications are prevented or prepared for Mothers, fathers and children get better care and better information on RH Peace and order in the community is maintained Children’s and women’s rights are protected

You fulfill your responsibility toward GAD mainstreaming LGUs have been consistently receiving various government memoranda and directives to mainstream Gender and Development (GAD) in their local development plans and programs.

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Under RA 7192, a minimum 5% of the entire local budget should be allocated to GAD mainstreaming initiatives.

Since the passage of this law in 1997, the Department of Budget and Management has annually issued memorandum circulars reminding LGUs to ensure this budget allocation.

Local Policy Directives on GAD DOCUMENT

DATE

KEY PROVISIONS

DBM Memo 28

June 97

Directing governors, mayors, barangay chairs, Sanggunian members, and other concerned local officials to allocate a minimum of 5% out of the 1998 Appropriation for projects designed to address gender issues in accordance with RA 7192

DILG Memo. Circular 98-58

Mar 98

Directing all regional directors to establish GAD Regional Information Centers in all DILG regional offices that will serve as one-stop shop of information and reference materials to support LGU’s implementation of national GAD policies

DBM Local Budget Memo 30

July 98

Directing governors, mayors, barangay chairs, Sanggunian members, and other concerned local officials to allocate a minimum of 5% out of the 1999 Appropriation for projects designed to address gender issues in accordance with RA 7192

DBM Memo Circular 98-148

Aug 98

Enjoining all LGUs to incorporate in their local development plans programs/activities and projects (PPAs) on GAD and set aside a minimum of 5% of the total budget to GAD PPAs.

DBM Local Budget Memo 32

Jul 99

Directing governors, mayors, barangay chairs, Sanggunian members, and other concerned local officials to allocate a minimum of 5% out of the 1999 Appropriation for projects designed to address gender issues in accordance with RA 7192

DILG Memo Circular 99-146

Aug 99

Directing all Regional Directors to mobilize and ensure Local government resources to mainstream and implement GAD programs using the 5% development fund.

Source: Proceedings of the Regional Trainers’ Training –Visayas Region. Pilipina, 2002.

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“Gender-responsive governance is part of the mandate of LGUs, so we should do it.”

Celia Flor, City Councilor Bacolod City, Negros Occidental

Many LGU officials, however, are often at a loss on how to fulfill their obligations, unsure what projects to undertake that would concretize gender and development objectives.

Because of limited knowledge as well as enthusiasm to undertake GAD projects, many LGUs simply ignore this provision. Other LGUs skirt the issue by putting already existing health and nutrition spending under GAD instead of thinking up innovative projects.

A QRT that integrates and coordinates the services of different LGU departments and line agencies for VAW and family violence is a clear initiative for GAD mainstreaming, because it addresses a gender issue and focuses the full force of the local government on it.

It is also a comprehensive effort as it combines direct intervention with more long-term activities, such as advocacy and training.

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You reduce the economic costs of violence against women, family violence, and poor reproductive health There are many un-measured economic costs of family violence. These include:

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Poor Productivity. VAW and poor reproductive health can lead to poor productivity because women who are beaten and abused and husbands who are jailed are unable to work or work fully.

Children who are abused may be more liable to drop out of school, turn to crime or become disabled.

◗

High medical costs. VAW can result in serious physical injuries and permanent physical and psychological disabilities. Battered women can develop psychological problems. They may also die. Poor reproductive health can result in

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pregnancy and childbirth complications, illness and disease. All these translate to a higher demand for health services and supplies. More police, social and health workers, counselors will be needed, and more funds will need to be spent.

So actually, a great deal of resources can be used up for VAW, especially when most LGUs have no programs to deal with it. A QRT helps you deal with the problem, reduce the need for limited resources and utilize available services more efficiently.

“Violence is a public issue; it costs government money and resources.”

Celia Flor, City Councilor Bacolod City, Negros Occidental

In the end, the cost of not dealing with the problem may actually be higher than funding a QRT or a similar program that addresses it.

Your LGU becomes a catalyst for change Because LGUs are often constrained by limited resources, a QRT helps you address this limitation.

A QRT is an excellent starting point to build multisectoral partnerships and mobilize local and external resources other than your LGU’s. By tapping other sectors in the community, you tap into their resources. You get the technical expertise, human and financial resources of women’s organizations, private business groups, civic groups, religious organizations, the media, and people’s organizations.

At the same time, by establishing a QRT, you send a message to your constituents that VAW is an important issue. This can begin the process of changing prevailing attitudes that keep this issue hidden, minimize the stigma around it, and help generate discussion and action in the community about such cases.

“In solving the problems of our communities, I see the LGU’s role as that of a catalyst.

Because we cannot solve all the problems single-handedly, we need to engage the commitment and involvement of key sectors, such as the private sector, the civil society, the media and the line agencies. The QRT is a good venue for this.”

Mayor Santiago Barcelona, Escalante City, Negros Occidental

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Gender-responsiveness is good governance Among the norms of good governance are: ◗ Sustainability ◗ Decentralization and subsidiarity ◗ Equity ◗ Efficiency ◗ Transparency and accountability ◗ Security ◗ Civic engagement and citizenship

“Gender-responsiveness means good service; and good service is remembered by voters during elections.”

Mayor Santiago Barcelona, Escalante City, Negros Occidental

“Gender-responsive programs are politically beneficial because women vote for candidates who they feel work for them.”

Corazon Diploma, SP Member, Negros Occidental

With a QRT, you fulfill many of these principles: ◗ You foster equity by improving services to women and improving relations between men and women in the home ◗ You improve security by making families safer and enhancing peace and order in the community ◗ You engage the participation of different sectors and decentralize responses and services to the barangays and the communities Gender-responsiveness is also increasingly recognized as a hallmark of good governance and LGUs are getting ample recognition for it. The Mapulang Lupa Women’s Desk in Valenzuela, a barangay-based QRT, the Balayan Municipal Center for Women in Batangas and the Legazpi City Child Abuse Prevention and Intervention Unit (CAPIU) are all recipients of the Galing Pook awards for outstanding local government projects.

Besides the awards, being gender-responsive is also increasingly demanded of local government officials.

Today, more women than men vote. More women are learning to wield this electoral power by building political parties and organizations. Gender issues are increasingly being pushed up the local political agenda.

A QRT is a clear example of a gender-responsive LGU.

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CHAMPIONING GAD TOWARDS GOOD GOVERNANCE Councilor Nene de Asis, Naga City

While she has no medals to show for it, Councilor Nene de Asis of Naga City is a champion. Since 1999, she has championed the cause of the Bantay Familia community watch group on domestic and family violence. And she has had victories aplenty.

Together with the various line agencies, NGOs and LGU offices in Naga, she has nurtured a functioning Quick Response Unit that responds to cases of family abuse and violence against women.

The Naga City Bantay Familia today has its own building inside the LGU compound, a social worker and secretariat staff, and barangay volunteers in many barangays. Because of her efforts, they were able to get P1 million from Congressman James Jacob for the construction of the center and LGU funds for various activities. These days, Councilor De Asis is busy training women survivors in livelihood projects, to help “empower the women financially”, she says.

But even the Bantay Familia still has financial constraints. So in the meantime, she has given up her monthly salary as a city councilor and donated it to the Bantay Familia operations. And because Bantay Familia still has no functioning shelter, she has also opened her own home to the cause, often taking in women and children seeking refuge from abuse. Other Bantay Familia members are doing the same.

Her reward? Members report that Bantay Familia has become almost a household word with neighbors and family members apt to say ‘sige ka, iba-bantay familia ka namin’ (‘beware, we’ll report you to bantay familia’) in jest or seriously. A good measure of the project's impact.

You build the capacities of local service providers in responding to the concerns of the community Because a QRT calls for training and coordinated work among different people and agencies, it helps you develop a more skilled and efficient group of local service providers, capable of managing cases of VAW and family violence.

What different LGU departments and NGOs may be doing on their own right now will be coordinated. People doing similar work will get to meet and learn from one another through the QRT. Social workers at the City Social Welfare and Development (CSWD) office, health workers at the City Health Office (CHO), NGO staff and police personnel, for example, who have the mandate to address VAW cases, can work together and learn from each other’s methods. All the exposure and the experience of working together will help you build a better team that will deliver good service to the community.

“I really learned how to help the women. I learned how to conduct interviews, I learned how to fill up an intake sheet, to document cases.

I learned how to facilitate medical treatment, legal aid and other assistance to women who are abuse.”

Suzette Ico, Barangay GAD Focal Point, Barangay 3, Bacolod City

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BECOMING A COMMITTED SERVICE PROVIDER AND ADVOCATE AGAINST VAW Suzette Ico, GAD Focal Point, Barangay 3, Bacolod City

Suzette has seen a lot of changes in her barangay and in herself as a result of the QRT. “Before, she says, you see a lot of fights, a lot of domestic violence. Now there are less and less cases, because people know about the QRT.” Suzette herself has changed. She now walks with a slight limp from a tricycle accident in 2001, an accident she considers her baptism of fire and a war medal in her fight against VAW. In April 2001, Suzette began directly handling cases of domestic violence. It was only a few months after she was appointed the GAD focal point person in Brgy 3, Bacolod City and began participating in training to set up the barangay QRT, Raquel approached Suzette in April, after hearing reports of the QRT’s existence. Raquel was being severely beaten by her husband on a regular basis. “ I never thought being part of the QRT would put my life in danger”, Suzette recounts. Suzette was bringing Raquel to the hospital for medical help when the tricycle they were riding in was hit by a car. Suzette was hospitalized for over a year, operated on several times for head and leg injuries.

Other people would have taken the accident as a sign that the QRT was not for her. But not for Suzette.

“Because of the accident, I was unable to help Raquel and even lost touch with the case. Many people thought I would stop working in the Quick Response Unit once I was well. But I didn’t. I got in touch with Raquel again and with the QRT resources, managed to help her get counseling.

Now, despite her limp, Suzette walks with greater confidence, more sure of her place in her community and her capacity to help women survivors of VAW. “People know they can come to me and other QRT members for help,” Suzette says. Like the other members of the Barangay 3 QRT, this group of people has become more respected and capable service providers in an improved, and less violent community.

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By building peace, you build communities Building a QRT can also be a good way of building your communities. Because a QRT calls for inter-agency, multi-sectoral action, it helps build partnerships among government, civil society organizations and community members. This, in turn, helps foster a stronger sense of kinship, community and friendship among constituents and sectors and builds peace in your communities.

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a final note N

eedless to say, all local government officials strive for good governance. The testimonies in this book prove that QRTs are a good way to be more gender-responsive and fulfill the standards of good governance.

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Those are more than enough reasons to have a QRT. I think I am convinced! Let’s do it!

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references Barcelona, Alice. (2002). Interview by STRIDES, Inc. for the QRT Manual Project.

Escalante City, Negros Occidental.

Barcelona, Santiago Jr. (2002). Mayor, Escalante City. Interview by STRIDES, Inc. for the QRT Manual Project. Negros Occidental.

Batapa, Jocelle. (2002). Interview by STRIDES, Inc. for the QRT Manual Project. Bacolod City, Negros Occidental. ____. (undated). Brochure. Bacolod Consortium of Women’s Organizations. Bacolod City ____. (undated). Breaking New Grounds for WOMEN’S Empowerment and Gender Equality. ____. (2000). Brgy. 3 Quick Response Team on Domestic Violence. Dawn Foundation.

Bacolod City, Philippines.

Canete, Suzette. (2002). City Social Welfare and Development Officer. Interview by STRIDES, Inc. for the QRT Manual Project. Escalante City, Negros Oriental.

Castro, Gina. (2002). DSSD Social Worker. Interview by STRIDES, Inc. for the QRT Manual Project. Bacolod City, Negros Occidental.

Casuela, Nelia. (2002). Women’s Desk Officer, Barangay Batasan Hills. Interview by STRIDES, Inc. for the QRT Manual Project. Quezon City.

Diploma, Corazon. (2002). Interview by STRIDES, Inc. for the QRT Manual Project.

Bacolod City, Negros Occidental.

Figueroa Yap, Ermi Amor T. (1998). The Economic Costs of Violence Against Women.

United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). Manila.

Flor, Celia. (2002). Councilor, Bacolod City. Interview by STRIDES, Inc. for the QRT Manual Project. Negros Occidental.

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____. (2000). Gender and Development (GAD). Valenzuela City.

Ico, Suzette. (2002). Barangay 3 GAD Focal Point Person. Interview by STRIDES, Inc for the QRT Manual Project. Bacolod City, Negros Occidental. ____. (2000). Project Proposal. Financial Support for the Operationalization of “Balay Dalangpan”. Bacolod City.

Santes, Rita. City Social Welfare and Development Officer, Sipalay City. Interview

by STRIDES, Inc. Negros Occidental.

Tan, Brigid. (2002). Barangay Captain, Brgy. 3, Bacolod City. Interview by STRIDES, Inc for the QRT Manual Project. Negros Occidental.

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