This month, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), along with other agencies, is celebrating National Women’s Month. And so, it is only fitting that we discuss about the department’s programs for women, especially those that address gender-based violence and violence against women.
Violence against women refers to any act of gender-based violence that results in physical, sexual, or mental harm to women. Cases include domestic violence, marital rape, sexual harassment, trafficking, and prostitution. To address these, the DSWD has come up with the Gender Responsive Case Management (GRCM) Model.
What is GRCM?
As the name says, Gender Responsive Case Management (GRCM) is a case management model that can be used for dealing with cases of gender-based violence. In 2005, the DSWD developed this model to help social workers handle cases of violence against women.
Basically, the model starts with recognizing gender biases against women in the home, community, and society. It aims to empower victim-survivors of gender-based violence, while addressing their short-term and long-term needs through a helping relationship between the social worker (or case manager) and the survivor.
The GRCM model can be applied to handling cases such as marital rape, domestic violence, sexual harassment, trafficking of women, prostitution, and other cases of violence against women.
Objectives of the Program
The GRCM Model seeks to attain the following objectives:
- Ensure the healing and recovery of victim-survivors of gender-based violence through improved case management;
- Facilitate and promote timely, age- and gender-appropriate delivery of services to meet the various needs of the sector; and
- Build the capacity of case managers on gender-sensitivity, self-awareness, and reflective practices.
Target Users
The target users of the GRCM Model include:
- Social workers from the DSWD, local government units (LGUs), non-government organizations (NGOs) and centers for women and girls; and
- Members of the interdisciplinary team, including: medical doctors, psychologists, legal officers, police officers, barangay desk officers.
GRCM Tools
The GRCM Model makes use of several tools, as follows:
1. Gender Violence Survivor Assessment (GVSA)
This utilizes a listing of internal and external factors that are relevant to presenting the problems of the survivor.
2. Interdisciplinary Gender Assessment (IDGA)
This involves the assessment of the survivor by an interdisciplinary team, which has the common goal of helping the survivor.
3. Domestic Violence Survivor Assessment (DVSA)
Utilizing the context of the Change Model, this tool evaluates issued based on two areas: the relationship and the survivor.
GRCM Framework
The GRCM Framework incorporates the following perspectives:
1. Gender-Based Perspective
This involves understanding how the difference between the sexes affects and is affected by policies, programs, and projects. It also assesses how various factors relate to discrimination based on sex, and how they impose hindrances to the persons’ opportunities and self-development.
2. Strengths-Based Perspective
This puts emphasis on recognizing the innate strength of women to heal and empower themselves. They have the ability to exercise their rights, empower themselves, resist violence, and recover from trauma.
3. Rights-Based Perspective
Women and girls have the same social, economic, civil, and political rights as their male counterparts. They also have the right to be free from violence and discrimination, and the right to decide on their reproductive health.
Pilot Areas
The GRCM Model was pilot-tested in one (1) city — Olongapo City — as well as in 29 municipalities in 10 provinces nationwide: Ifugao, Mountain Province, Masbate, Bohol, Eastern Samar, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Tawi-Tawi, and Basilan.
During the pilot-testing stage, a series of trainings and coaching sessions on the GRCM Model were conducted. Here are some highlights of the results of pilot testing:
- The GRCM Model is conceptually understood and appreciated by implementing partners, but is only partially operationalized in a limited number of cases;
- Gender analysis of cases of gender-based violence needs improvement, mainly because it was usually limited to a description of roles in the family;
- The GRCM application needs improvement as it appears to meet mainly the short-term, practical needs of survivors, but not their long-term or strategic needs;
- A gender-based perspective improved the case management process. Social workers and case managers claimed to have undergone a change in mindset, from traditional to transformative case management; and
- The GRCM manual provided a sense of security and confidence to social workers and case managers in working with survivors of gender-based violence.
After pilot testing, the DSWD released Administrative Order No. 14, Series of 2012, which pertains to the institutionalization of the GRCM Model in handling cases of violence against women.
Since then, the DSWD Field Offices have conducted advocacy activities and roll-out training and coaching on GRCM to all case managers, social workers, and other persons who are managing cases of violence against women. Similarly, LGUs, through the C/MSWDO, have also begun using the model in managing all cases of violence against women in their respective areas.
Video: DSWD Programs and Services for Women
In this video shared by the Philippine Commission on Women, the hosts talk about the different programs offered by the DSWD for women, including the GRCM Model:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Meanwhile, here are some frequently asked questions and answers about the GRCM Model:
1. What is GRCM?
GRCM stands for “Gender Responsive Case Management,” which is a case management model used for handling cases of gender-based violence, including violence against women.
2. What are its objectives?
The GRCM Model seeks to: (a) ensure the healing and recovery of victim-survivors of gender-based violence; (b) facilitate and promote age- and gender-appropriate delivery of services to meet the needs of the sector; and (c) build case managers’ capacity on gender-sensitivity, self-awareness, and reflective practices.
3. Who are its target users?
The GRCM Model’s target users include: (a) social workers from the DSWD, LGUs, NGOs, and centers for women and girls; and (b) interdisciplinary team members, including: doctors, psychologists, legal officers, police officers, and barangay desk officers.
4. What tools does it use?
The GRCM Model uses three main tools, namely: Gender Violence Survivor Assessment (GVSA), Interdisciplinary Gender Assessment (IDGA), and Domestic Violence Survivor Assessment (DVSA).
5. How can I learn more about it?
You can learn more about the GRCM Model by contacting the Social Technology Bureau (STB) of the DSWD Office nearest you.
Contact Information: Social Technology Bureau
If you have any questions about the GRCM Model, you can get in touch with the Social Technology Bureau (STB) at the DSWD Central Office in Quezon City. Its office hours are 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Address: Social Technology Bureau, 3rd Floor, Matapat Building, Department of Social Welfare and Development – Central Office, IBP Road, Constitution Hills, Batasan Complex, Quezon City
Telephone: +632 8951 7124 / 8951 2802 / 8931 8144
Email: soctech@dswd.gov.ph
Website: https://stb.dswd.gov.ph/
Google Map:
Infographic About Project
Meanwhile, here is an infographic about the GRCM Model:
Final Thoughts
The sad truth is, cases of gender-based violence and violence against women exist in our country. Indeed, we have a long way to go in terms of transforming people’s minds regarding gender identity, gender roles, and gender discrimination.
Fortunately, the DSWD, together with other government and non-government organizations, actively carries out gender-related programs like the GRCM Model. This way, we can look forward to women equality and empowerment in our society.
Notably, another DSWD program worth looking into is the Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA) Program. This program focuses on maintaining peace and developing conflict-affected areas. Check out this article to read all about it!