GENDER OMBUD REPORT 2016 interview rooms, and (g) increasing the number of female CHR lawyers and investigators. AMENDMENT OF THE 2013 RESOLUTION ON THE CHR GENDER FOCAL POINT SYSTEM The CHR Resolution (IV) A-2013-121 dated 10 June 2013 constituted the Commission’s Gender Focal Point System (GFPS). The GFPS is headed by the Commission En Banc with all the Central Office Directors as members of the technical working group (TWG). The resolution was further strengthened by identifying the SDPO as the secretariat of the GFPS. One of the tasks of the secretariat is to ensure GAD mainstreaming in the CHR’s strategic plans. GENDER AND DEVELOPMENT BUDGET The CHR has been consistent in submitting its annual GAD plans and budget to the PCW in compliance with the latter’s standards on gender and development. CREATION OF THE GENDER EQUALITY AND WOMEN’S HUMAN RIGHTS CENTER (GEWHRC) Created in 2016, the GEWHRC works with the Protection, the Promotion, and the Policy offices of the CHR to mainstream the Commission’s role as Gender Ombud. Specifically, it is tasked to develop programs and policies, and conduct research relative to women’s human rights and the rights of persons with diverse SOGIE. TRAININGS ON GENDER AND WOMEN’S HUMAN RIGHTS AT THE CHR CENTRAL AND REGIONAL OFFICES The GEWHRC together with SDPO conducted the third Gender Ombud roll-out for the CHR staff in Visayas and Mindanao in February 4 2017. Apart from the gender focal persons, the training participants also included the CHR lawyers, investigators, information officers, and administrative officers who are not directly involved in gender-related work but are expected to contribute to the Commission’s role as Gender Ombud through their functions. The CHR also organized basic gender sensitivity trainings, and trainings on women’s human rights and the rights of LGBTI for its central and regional offices. The continued education and training of CHR staff on women’s human rights and the rights of persons with diverse SOGIE are also part of the Commission’s capacity building. Several staff of the Commission took the opportunity to enroll in regional and international trainings or courses on gender equality. These included a two-week training on violence against women and trafficking in Korea (1), courses on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ESCR) and on Sexual Orientation Gender Identity and Expression (SOGIE) from the Asia Pacific Forum (4), and an online, blended learning course on women’s and girl’s human rights by the Asia Pacific Forum on Human Rights Institutions (25). ENGAGEMENT IN REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL FORA The Commissioners’ participation to the regional and international fora on women and LGBTI human rights provided opportunities to present the CHR’s continuing efforts in promoting gender equality, as well as to strengthen its advocacy network. At the international level, this included attending the 60th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women in New York in March 2016, and the 64th Session of CEDAW Committe in Geneva, Switzerland in July 2016.