The DSWD said the women-friendly spaces (WFS) will also let the women survivors get counseling and learn about health and well-being.
Initially, the DSWD said five WFS had been set up at the Redemptorist Church, San Fernando Community School, San Jose Elementary School, Rizal Central School, and the Tacloban Convention Center.
The DSWD said the WFS also serves as a venue for women to interact and share stories as part of their coping mechanism to overcome their trauma.
Social workers trained in stress debriefing are on hand to guide them.
The DSWD said the establishment of the WFS is integrated in evacuation camp management, which seeks to respond to the effects of displacement on women and children.
WFS strategy focal person Alona Bermejo said this project, where the WFS can be set up in a classroom or even a tent, is co-funded by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
The DSWD said the WFS concept taps service providers in providing psycho-social support for the internally displaced women as well as medical, reproductive health services and basic food and non-food needs.
“Beneficiaries of the WFS will become part of the local government unit referral system where they will be accessed to different agencies for livelihood opportunities,” the DSWD said. — LBG, GMA News
