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Reduced incidence of VAW: Among the public, domestic violence
has ceased to be regarded as a private issue and is now seen as a
public issue and an issue of governance. There is a considerable
increase in the reporting of domestic violence and other VAW cases,
probably because women now see that there are institutions that can
help them. The anti-domestic violence ordinance also serves as a
deterrent to more violence. In the areas where VAW incidence was
initially reported to victimize 6 out of 10 women, residents say that the
incidence is now down to 2 out of 10 women.
Improved coordination among various stakeholders on VAW: The
representatives of partner agencies have learned to go beyond their
respective turfs and not work on parallel lines. They have come to
recognize that no single agency can do everything alone. Among them,
the culture of referral has developed. Moreover, government agencies
now appreciate that civil society has a critical role to play in governance.
Enhanced understanding of VAW and other gender issues:
Bantay Banay brought into people’s consciousness the issue of
power relations among partners and family members, which has led
to discussions and reflection on one’s personal values and lifestyle.
Many people have come to realize that the personal is political. A
group among men opposed to violence has been formed. Joint
parenting is no longer an uncommon idea. Most of the volunteers
have also gained a deeper understanding of gender realities, violence
against women, and women’s role in society in general. Other issues
affecting women are now becoming more visible to barangay leaders
and city officials. The need for sex-disaggregated data is recognized
as well as the need for assessing the differential impacts of programs
and projects on men and women.
Increased women’s participation in governance and in
addressing their own concerns: Women’s active participation in
policy advocacy has raised the capability of women’s groups to
advocate and lobby for the implementation of, and budgetary
provisions for, specific programs. More women are now involved in
the barangay through the GAD desks and barangay committees; they
also now participate more actively in the implementation and
monitoring of projects. After the barangay, the city departments have
started to be sensitized and they are now starting to see the
importance of having sex-disaggregated data, reviewing projects and
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