PERTANIKA JOURNAL OF TROPICAL AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE

This study is a multi-level assessment of community-based Violence Against Women (VAW) desks status: (1) VAW system (policies and legislation); (2) entity (VAW desk setup), and (3) individual (VAW desk officers) levels’ capacities in Calamba City, Laguna, Philippines. Data were gathered through a survey of 105 VAW desk officers and key informant interviews of five local officials. In addition, document reviews of national and local policies and reports on VAW were also employed in this study. Findings suggested that policies on establishing barangay-level VAW desks were properly enforced in Calamba City. However, the research results also showed a lack of equipment and resources to address VAW cases properly. In addition, VAW desk officers’ age and educational background limit their capacity to implement their responsibilities effectively, for there are no clear qualifications needed to be a desk officer. There is also no clear local system on the orientation of roles and responsibilities of the desk officers. Thus, the following recommendations: (1) national or local policy amendment to include the basic qualifications of desk officers; (2) maximize the role of the local group of desk officers in capacity-building and advocacy while partnering with civil society; (3) proper fund allocation of the city to ensure full functionality of VAW desks; and (4) strengthen feedback system and enforcement of rewards and penalties to motivate proper functioning of the desk offices. The paper contributes to local governance perspectives, specifically on multi-level coordination, to effectively address VAW and provide gender and development (GAD) support services.

• Acquaye-Baddoo, N., Fowler, A., & Ubels, J. (2010). Capacity development in practice. Earthscan London. http://www.learning4development.org/uploads/3/3/8/9/3389888/capacity_development_in_practice.pdf

• Alaqeel, Y. (2016). Recruitment strategies. International Journal of Scientific & Engineering Research, 7(3), 805-809. https://www.ijser.org/researchpaper/RECRUITMENT-STRATEGIES.pdf

• Aquino, B. (2017). The policy implementation of the UN women safe cities initiative programme in Barangay Payatas and Barangay Bagong Silangan, Quezon City, 2014-2016 [Bachelor’s thesis, St. Scholastica’s College]. https://www.academia.edu/33955454/The_Policy_Implementation_of_the_UN_Women_Safe_Cities_Initiative_Programme_in_Barangay_Payatas_and_Barangay_Bagong_Silangan_Quezon_City_Philippines_2014-2016

• Bateman, T., & Crant, J. M. (1999). Proactive behavior: Meaning, impact, recommendations. Business Horizons, 42(3), 63-70. https://homepages.se.edu/cvonbergen/files/2013/01/Proactive_Behavior-Meaning_Impact_Recommendations.pdf

• Bernarte, R. P., Acedegbega, Q. M. M., Fadera, M. L., & Yopyop, H. J. (2018). Violence against women in the Philippines. Asia Pacific Journal of Multidisciplinary Research, 6(1), 117-124. http://www.apjmr.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/APJMR-2017.6.1.15a.pdf

• Capacity for Disaster Reduction Initiative. (2011). Basics of capacity development for disaster risk reduction. Geneva, Switzerland. Prevention Web. https://www.preventionweb.net/files/globalplatform/entry_bg_paper~basicofcapacitydevelopmentfordisasterriskreduction.pdf

• City Ordinance No. 605. (2017). An ordinance institutionalizing the establishment of barangay VAW desks in the 54 barangays of Calamba City, Res.#123, CTC No. 17-00084. https://www.calambacity.gov.ph/index.php/ct-menu-item-3/general-ordinances#2017

• Concepcion, J. (2013). GAD plan and budget: A gender responsive strategy in addressing VAW [Doctoral dissertation, University of the Philippines Manila]. http://dspace.cas.upm.edu.ph/jspui/bitstream/123456789/535/1/H58.pdf

• David, C. C., Albert, J. R. G., & Vizmanos, J. F. V. (2018). Out-of-school children: Changing Landscape of school attendance and barriers to completion (Discussion paper no. 2018-25). Research Information Department. Philippine Institute for Development Studies. https://pidswebs.pids.gov.ph/CDN/PUBLICATIONS/pidsdps1825.pdf

• United Nations. (1993). Declaration on the elimination of violence against women (Resolution No. A/RES/48/104). https://www.ohchr.org/en/professionalinterest/pages/violenceagainstwomen.aspx

• Memorandum Circular No. 2017-114. (2017). Guidelines in monitoring the functionality of VAW desks in every Barangay. https://dilg.gov.ph/PDF_File/issuances/memo_circulars/dilg-memocircular-2017831_2405265786.pdf

• Joint Memorandum Circular No. 2010-1. (2010). Creation of local committees on anti-trafficking and violence against women and their children. https://www.scribd.com/document/347017814/DILG-DSWD-JMC-2010-01-Creation-of-LCAT-VAWC-pdf

• Joint Memorandum Circular No. 2010-2. (2010). Guidelines in the establishment of Violence Against Women (VAW) desk in every Barangay. https://www.humanitarianresponse.info/sites/www.humanitarianresponse.info/files/documents/files/Joint%20Memo%20Circular%20on%20VAW%20desks.pdf

• Dimaano, G. M., Clores, A. C., Iloco, A. M., & Javier, L. J. D. (2018). Prevalence of domestic violence against women and children in the Philippines. Humanities and Social Science Research, 1(2), 52. https://j.ideasspread.org/index.php/hssr/article/view/170

• Ekwoaba, J. O., Ikeije, U. U., & Ufoma, N. (2015). The impact of recruitment and selection criteria on organizational performance. Global Journal of Human Resource Management, 3(2), 22-33. https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/The-Impact-of-Recruitment-and-Selection-Criteria-on-Ekwoaba-Ikeije/5fac313867591d583ab02571311abe13306bc89c

• Embate, J. M., Ordinario, M. C., & Batu, A. (2019). The Kapwa in compassion: Examining compassionate health care for Violence Against Women (VAW) victims among PGH health care providers. In Communicating for social change (pp. 87-108). Palgrave Macmillan. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/329425827_The_Kapwa_in_Compassion_Examining_Compassionate_Health_Care_for_Violence_Against_Women_VAW_Victims_Among_PGH_Health_Care_Providers_Meaning_Power_and_Resistance

• Er Guneri, S., Ozturk, R., Taner., A., & Yilmaz, B. (2017). Another face of violence against women: Infertility. Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences, 33(4), 909-914. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5648963/

• Fraser, E., & Wood, S. (2018). VAWG legislation (VAWG Helpdesk Research Report No 156). Social Development Direct. https://www.sddirect.org.uk/media/1520/vawg-helpdesk-156-legislation.pdf

• Garcia, T. M. R. (2020). Violence against women in the Philippines [Master’s thesis, Norwegian University of Life Sciences]. https://nmbu.brage.unit.no/nmbu-xmlui/handle/11250/2678663

• Gudmalin, M. J. (2017). It is raining tears: Voices of women, victims of violence. ACADEME University of Bohol, Graduate School and Professional Studies, 11(1), 53-68. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/331090726_It_is_Raining_Tears_Voices_of_Women_Victims_of_Violence

• Gutierrez, M. I. (2012). Assessment of the capacity of Barangay nutrition scholars in the municipality of bay, Laguna [Master’s thesis]. University of the Philippines Los Baños.

• Hasenfeld, Y. (1972). People processing organizations: An exchange approach. American Sociologial Review, 37(3), 256-263. https://doi.org/10.2307/2093466

• Headley, M. G., & Clark, V. L. P. (2020). Multilevel mixed methods research designs: Advancing a refined definition. Journal of Mixed Methods Research, 14(2), 145-163.

• Libre, J. M. M. (2017). Gender and development in Barangay governance, Philippines. Journal of Public Administration, 52(1), 150-169.

• Loh, C. K. (2009). Strategies and approaches to overcome violence against women: The ASEAN experience. Asian Alternatives for a Sustainable World: Transborder Engagements in Knowledge Foundation. The Nippon Foundation. https://d1wqtxts1xzle7.cloudfront.net/3716966/year7-with-cover-page-v2.pdf?Expires=1639366188&Signature=UYzhuT0Pw9aO6IYdrs8ocdkySnucAjUg13wtMqwT0MpvJMuP5aH3w~i5kPDdRSYDa6CPm8qEQRY~qodSQbY-YwJ2oHCSMOiCxL3j89PYLv9JvNQGguvPF1xqs1tca4YNsxapjD6Vdh9eQv0HuOvY17twYi7Ohh0RGgduJqhYFn~NvS3AaaS7xqNYcS6dJ1VaD1JbDc7ZBM~pXDNaxNB3YWangDvbjS2CJnSgCpL80reU-EsTBcJf62Cr0xvFnt2fnht23SQgp3E1hNFRuHiP32Be-VvHJA4VzVK1-eoOHzfZOo6-g4HV3pmHO7DqUl4EvcYKKYMBqhbi-xGN~qfN-A__&Key-Pair-Id=APKAJLOHF5GGSLRBV4ZA#page=97

• Malawis-Ignacio, M. G. B. (2021). Frequency and factors of non-reporting of violence against women in Tabuk City. International Journal of English Literature and Social Sciences, 6(1), 367-375. https://ijels.com/upload_document/issue_files/46IJELS-10220212-Frequency.pdf

• Mendoza, M. J., Ponce, S. L., Viloria, L. S., Estrada, I., & O Porras, M. D. (2020, January 7). Gender and development in Southern Philippines: Experiences on GAD Budget Policy in some Barangays of Iligan City. International Conference on Public Organization. SSRN. http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3515057

• Mohammed, M. P., & Pulmano, R. E. (2017). Cases of violence against women: Towards A proposed plan of action (Working papers 2017-03-16). Voice of Research. https://ideas.repec.org/p/vor/issues/2017-03-16.html

• Molina-Azorín, J. F., Pereira-Moliner, J., López-Gamero, M. D., Pertusa-Ortega, E. M., & Tarí, J. T. (2020). Multilevel research: Foundations and opportunities in management. BRQ Business Research Quarterly, 23(4), 319-333.

• Najarilla, M. J. O. (2018). VAWC law through the lenses of the community elders and leaders of Ifugao, Benguet and Mountain province. Journal of Asian Review of Public Affairs and Policy, 3(3), 90-111. http://dx.doi/10.222.99/arpap/2018.43

• Ortiz-Barreda, G., & Vives-Cases, C. (2013). Legislation on violence against women: Overview of key components. Rev Panam Salud Publica, 33(1), 61-72.

• Paruchuri, S., Perry-Smith, J. E., Chattopadhyay, P., & Shaw, J. D. (2018). New ways of seeing: Pitfalls and opportunities in multilevel research. Academy of Management Journal, 61(3), 797-801. https://doi.org/10.5465/amj.2018.4003

• Pearson, J. (2011). LenCD learning package on capacity development, Part 1 - The core concept. Learning Network on Capacity Development. https://lencd.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/1_Core_concept.pdf

• Magna Carta of Women (Republic Act No. 9710). (2010). https://www.coa.gov.ph/gad/resources/downloads/RA_Circular/RA_9710_with_IRR.pdf

• Philippine Commission on Women. (2012). Barangay VAW Desk Handbook. GOVPH. https://bwsc.dole.gov.ph/images/info-materials/VAW-Desk-Handbook-Final-Cover-and-Layout-Jan11.pdf

• Philippine Commission on Women (2014). Statistics on violence against Filipino women. http://pcw.gov.ph/statistics/201405/statistics-violence-against-filipino-women.

• Philippine National Police, Women and Children Protection Center. (2012). Mapping Violence Against Women and Children.

• Republic Act No. 9262. (2004). An act defining violence against women and their children, providing for protective measures for victims, prescribing penalties therefore, and for other purposes. https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2004/03/08/republic-act-no-9262-s-2004/

• Republic Act No. 9710 (Magna Carta of Women). (2009). https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2009/08/14/republic-act-no-9710/

• Republic Act No. 10630. (2013). An act strengthening the juvenile justice system in the Philippines, amending for the purpose Republic act no. 9344, otherwise known as the “juvenile justice and welfare act of 2006” and appropriating funds therefor. https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2013/10/03/republic-act-no-10630/

• Soomar, S. M. (2015). Psychological impacts of Intimate partner violence on women. International Journal of Women Empowerment, 1, 13-16. https://doi.org/10.29052/2413-4252.v1.i1.2015.13-16

• Sumbas, A., & Koyuncu, B. (2019). Women’s empowerment on a local level in Turkey: The case of violence against women. Turkish Studies, 20(2), 249-272.

• Tavares, P., Recavarren, I. S., & Sinha, A. (2019). Protecting women from violence: Bridging the implementation gap between law and practice. World Bank Group. https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/handle/10986/33222

• United Nations Statistics Division. (2015). The world’s women 2015: Trends and statistics. Economic and Social Affairs. https://unstats.un.org/unsd/gender/downloads/worldswomen2015_report.pdf

• van Loon, N. M., Leisink, P., & Vandenabeele, W. (2013). Talking the talk of public service motivation: How public organization logics matter for employees’ expressions of PSM. International Journal of Publica Administration, 36(14), 1007-1019.