BUADIPUSO-BUNTONG, LANAO DEL SUR — The Bangsamoro Government, through the Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD), is gradually cascading the Child Protection and Gender-Based Violence (CP-GBV) referral pathway to address unreported cases of abuse and exploitation in the region.

On June 27, 2024, the MSSD conducted an orientation here about the CP-GBV referral pathway with women in especially difficult circumstances (WEDCs) as its primary target audience.

“The referral pathway was established so that our citizens will know how to report or complain if they experience or witness any form of violence and exploitation,” said MSSD Provincial Social Welfare Officer Bai Yasmira Pangadapun.

The CP-GBV referral pathway is an enhanced mechanism that employs a more efficient and survivor-centered approach in responding to all forms of gender-based violence. Its primary purpose is to expedite the reporting of CP-GBV cases to key service providers that ensure that the survivors will receive timely and non-discriminatory access to social and medical services, safety, security, and legal support.

According to Faida Ensanah, the regional focal person of MSSD’s Women’s Welfare Program, all the reports received through the referral pathway are treated with the highest standards of confidentiality.

The victims or their families can report cases of harassment, abuse, neglect, and child exploitation to either the municipal social welfare officer (MSWO), women and children protection desk (WCPD) officer of their local police station, women and children protection unit (WCPU) officer of their local hospital, or their barangay local government unit (BLGU). Through their report, the line agencies can provide them with security, medical, psychosocial, and legal services.

Victims who are rescued are also given temporary accommodation in women and children’s centers near them.

“You can now call or text the relevant authorities listed in the referral pathway of your municipality to report cases related to CP-GBV. Any victim, regardless of their gender, can report a case,” Ensanah added.

Norminah Batua-an, the gender and development (GAD) focal point of Barangay Buadipuso Lilod, shared the importance of this activity for her fellow citizens.

“Bilang GAD focal sa aming barangay, handa po kaming tulungan ang mga lalapit sa amin. Maraming salamat po sa MSSD at sa BARMM sa pag-conduct ng programang ito dahil malaking tulong ito sa lahat ng mga kababayan ko.”

[“As the GAD focal person in our barangay, we are ready to help those who come to us. Thank you very much to the MSSD and BARMM for conducting this program because it is a great help to all my fellow citizens.”]

The participants of the event received mental health and psychosocial support, grocery packages, and hygiene kits. (Norjana Malawi/BIO)
Source: https://bangsamoro.gov.ph/news/latest-news/barmm-strengthens-efforts-on-abuse-prevention-in-grassroots-communities/