III. RESULTS OF THE REGIONAL CONSULTATIONS ON CEDAW AND MCW A. Women’s Access to Justice and Violence Against Women 1. Awareness of the laws protecting women and children Most of the participants in the various regions are not aware of the laws on women and children such as MCW, Anti-VAWC, Anti-rape, and Anti-trafficking laws. Group discussions in NCR, CAR, Regions 6, 7, 9, 11, 12, and CARAGA (53.33% of the regional FGD’s) yielded the observation that women are not fully aware of the laws or provisions that protect them and their children. In Region 7, for instance, it was estimated that only 10% of the Cebu population are aware of women’s laws. Some of the responses in the different Regions are as follows:  CAR – Women are not fully aware of the laws or provisions that protect them and their children unless an incident happened. They do not know where to go and where to seek help or assistance about their condition. Some local government employees are aware of the existence of the law but they lack orientation.  Region 6 - There is lack of awareness because there is lack of information dissemination. VAW is not given emphasis in the local level.  Region 9 - Services and Laws in cases of women’s discrimination and violence against women are not well-known to the group.  Region 11 - Not all the people of the community are fully aware of laws/provisions that protect women, especially the participants from Davao del Norte and Davao del Sur.  Region 12 - Women, especially IPs and those living in the far-flung areas are not fully aware of laws such as anti-VAWC and MCW.  CARAGA - No, they are not aware.  NCR – Not aware. 48