GABRIELA Women’s Party Representative and House Assistant Minority Leader Sarah Elago has called for the institutionalization of Violence Against Women (VAW) desks in all barangays nationwide to provide stronger and more consistent protection for women and children facing abuse.

During budget deliberations for the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) at the House of Representatives, Elago pointed out that while the Magna Carta of Women mandates the creation of VAW desks, many remain underfunded, understaffed, and lacking institutional support, limiting their effectiveness as frontline mechanisms against abuse.

“It’s not enough for VAW desks to exist only on paper. They need proper funding, trained personnel, and dedicated staff to truly serve women and children who are victims of violence,” Elago said.

The DILG acknowledged that many barangays continue to struggle in fully operationalizing their VAW desks due to budgetary constraints, personnel shortages, and lack of support services.

Elago cautioned that without institutionalization, VAW desks risk becoming symbolic rather than functional safeguards.

“Every day, women in our communities suffer from abuse. That’s why the operation of VAW desks should be a regular, non-negotiable part of barangay governance — not dependent on available funds or the discretion of local officials,” she added.

She also reaffirmed Gabriela Women’s Party’s long-standing advocacy for stronger enforcement of laws protecting women and children, particularly amid rising cases of domestic violence, sexual assault, and online exploitation.

“We demand that the government go beyond lip service when it comes to women’s rights,” Elago stressed.

“Gabriela Women’s Party will continue holding consultations in communities and barangays to push for legislation that will institutionalize and strengthen VAW desks so women and children receive the protection they truly deserve,” she added.