FundLife Brings Together 17 Organisations to Strengthen Primary Prevention of Technology Facilitated Gender Basend Violence

TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines — FundLife International brought together representatives from 17 organisations and government offices on October 22–23, 2026, for the Girls Got This (GGT) Circle – Eastern Visayas Coalition Baseline Convening and Partnership Launch, marking an important step towards strengthening the primary prevention of technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV) in the region. 

The two-day gathering connected government agencies, schools, youth groups, and civil society organisations around a shared purpose: strengthening coordinated prevention of technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV) affecting adolescent girls and young people.

Government representatives came from the Department of Education – Schools Division of Tacloban City; Department of Social Welfare and Development – Field Office VIII; Philippine National Police – Police Regional Office VIII; Local Government Unit of Dulag, Leyte, through its Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office and Local Youth Development Office; and Tacloban City Youth Development Office.

They were joined by Youth-led organisations such as Pag-asa Youth Association of the Philippines – Dulag Chapter, JJC Tacloban Sinirangan, JJC Waraynon, Tacloban Peer Educators Association, Youth for Human Ecological Security, Rotaract Club of Tacloban, Tacloban Otaku Network, SOS Children’s Village Tacloban, Pajama Conversations, Sidlak Youth for Peace, and Istilo. Together, these organisations brought different experiences in youth development, education, protection, and community advocacy. 

The first day focused on building connections and a shared understanding of gender-based violence, its underlying drivers, and the ways technology can enable or intensify harm. Discussions explored harmful gender norms, power, consent, and the importance of preventing violence before it occurs. This approach places responsibility on communities and institutions to challenge harmful behaviour and create safer environments for girls.

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Participants also mapped their organizations’ existing programs, expertise, safeguarding practices, and opportunities for collaboration. The exercise helped identify how different institutions could contribute to a more coordinated approach to preventing TFGBV across Eastern Visayas.

A key emphasis throughout the discussions was the meaningful participation of adolescent girls and young people in shaping prevention strategies, recognising that their experiences and perspectives are essential to developing approaches that respond to the realities they face.

On the second day, these discussions shifted towards establishing the foundations for a functioning and sustainable coalition.

Representatives reviewed the proposed Coalition Charter and explored governance arrangements, member responsibilities, decision-making processes, and accountability mechanisms. Working group discussions provided opportunities to identify shared priorities and consider practical actions that organisations could undertake together.

Safeguarding was also discussed as an essential component of the coalition's work, particularly in ensuring that adolescent girls and young people can participate safely and meaningfully in coalition activities.

The convening concluded with a Commitment Circle, where each representative had the opportunity to share their commitments to the coalition. This provided space for organisations to express how they would contribute to shared efforts to prevent TFGBV and uphold girls’ rights.

For Anthony Melchor Ochea, President of Youth for Human Ecological Security and member of the Rotaract Club of Tacloban, the convening introduced new insights into TFGBV and how his organisation could contribute to prevention. He expressed hope that stronger connections through the GGT Circle and FundLife’s support would help their programmes reach more communities across Eastern Visayas.

“Through this coalition, we will advocate for and promote privacy, and take action to defend girls’ rights,” he shared.

His reflections underscored the importance of equipping young advocates with the knowledge, networks, and opportunities to contribute to prevention efforts within their communities.

Building on FundLife’s work with adolescent girls, the GGT Circle Eastern Visayas Coalition aims to help organisations develop a more coordinated approach to prevention. 

Following the convening, planned activities include coalition governance development, intergenerational learning circles, and the collaborative creation of prevention tools and advocacy materials. These activities will support members in strengthening their understanding of primary prevention and translating shared learning into practical actions within their respective institutions and communities.

The initiative is supported by the Australian Government through the Southeast Asia Gender-Based Violence Prevention Platform's Advocate Grants.

For FundLife, the convening lays the foundation for sustained collaboration: organisations learn from one another, share responsibility, and create opportunities for girls and young people to help shape the decisions that affect their safety and rights.

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