Awareness on Gender and Development Services of a Barangay

Abstract: Awareness of Gender and Development (GAD) services is vital for enabling individuals and communities to access essential support and resources that promote well-being and equality. Given this context, this study assessed the level of awareness of barangay residents regarding the services, specifically in the areas of Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC) cases, maternal health, and livelihood. Two hundred eighty-six respondents participated, with demographic data collected on age, civil status, sex, educational attainment, and socio-economic status. Findings revealed high levels of awareness in VAWC and Maternal Health across all demographic groups, suggesting effective dissemination of GAD information in these areas. However, only moderate levels of awareness were observed in livelihood services. Notably, a significant difference in awareness levels was found when respondents were grouped by educational attainment, with those with elementary or high school education showing greater awareness of livelihood services than college graduates. This suggests that community-based economic initiatives are more accessible or relevant to those with lower formal education. The study highlights the need for improved outreach strategies targeting more educated individuals and recommends integrating GAD-related content into formal and professional education to ensure inclusive participation. The findings underscore the importance of tailoring GAD communication efforts to address specific demographic gaps, particularly in promoting awareness of economic empowerment programs. Keywords: Gender and Development (GAD) services; Awareness; Barangay residents; Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC); Maternal health; Livelihood