Women support centers actively worked in various communities and held informational meetings. Mobilizers provided participants with information about services and programs for victim assistance.
During the informational meetings, priority issues were identified that were relevant for communities in terms of violence against women. Participants of the meetings in Senaki, Khobi, Chokhatauri, Terjola, Tskaltubo and Zugdidi emphasized the need to support women who have suffered from violence so that they do not feel alone.
In August, five families under the risk group were identified - all families became active users of the services of the Fund “Sukhumi”. The participants of the meetings disseminate the information received, which helps attract new beneficiaries and is important for the prevention of violence.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
Preparation for the implementation of civil initiatives has begun in the women's groups of Kutaisi, Khoni and Khobi. It was preceded by a civil dialogue on the causes of migration, its psychosocial consequences and ways of prevention.
During the meetings they heard interesting opinions from young people who have their own attitude to this problem and believe that there are many sensitive topics, the understanding of which is extremely important for society. For example, according to their observations, parents sometimes unintentionally contribute to the alienation of their children from their peers by buying expensive things, which further aggravates their psycho-emotional state.
At this stage, consultations are being held with initiative groups, events are being planned and appropriate resources are being sought.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
"Leadership for IDPs and rural women" - the second training on this topic was held in Zugdidi, at the “Dadiani Inn” hotel, with the participation of women - members of a mutual assistance group. This time the training was organized by the Women's Information Center, and members of mutual assistance groups from Senaki, Poti, Tsalenjikha, Mestia and Zugdidi took part in it.
The trainer and the participants discussed the essence and features of leadership, found out what positive changes the development of women's leadership will bring to the community, and emphasized the importance of self-presentation and public speaking.
The training was held within the framework of the project "Women Act for Peace and Strengthening the Local Community".
The project is implemented with the support of the UN Women organization
In July, civil dialogue was continued in women's groups of Kutaisi, Khoni and Khobi. Participants discussed the reasons of migration, its psychosocial consequences and ways of prevention.
Their vision of what needs to be done to reduce migration and mitigate its consequences, reintegrate women and improve the psychosocial climate in their families was interesting; increase of teachers' awareness of the emotional and behavioral characteristics of children of migrant parents was also noted. Some participants shared their experiences on this topic:
"My parents' emigration brought a lot of psychological trauma, some of which I still experience. What children of immigrant parents need most is the right atmosphere." "The school period should be useful for them, because it was the teacher who brought the light back to me."
Some participants expressed a desire to share their emotions:
"I have some sketches and you can share them. If I could, I would give everyone the strength to talk about their pain, as I do."
"I would be happy to join the creation of interesting stories. I myself have a short but painful experience of migration. I know many others who would be happy to share their emotions."
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
A training on “Leadership for IDPs and Rural Women” was held in Kutaisi at the “Argo” Hotel. The training was attended by members of mutual assistance groups from the municipalities of Kutaisi, Tskaltubo, Khoni, Khashuri and Sachkhere.
This training opened a series of trainings planned within the framework of the project “Women Act for Peace and Strengthening Local Communities”. The goal of the trainings is to prepare members of mutual assistance groups, equipping them with relevant knowledge and skills to strengthen social work in IDP communities and in conflict affected communities.
According to the participants, the training was interesting, active, dynamic and productive.
The first part of the training was devoted to the discussion of women's leadership, leadership characteristics and main components. The second part continued with simulation exercises and thematic videos. During active interaction, the participants showed the importance of presentation, self-presentation and public speaking. According to them, the development of women's leadership is important for identifying and solving women's needs. Other groups will also undergo training on the topic of leadership, and this group will work on a new topic.
The project is implemented with the support of the UN Women organization
Teenagers from ten municipalities of Western Georgia are actively participating in an online course on conflict management and violence prevention. Among their peers, they openly talk about challenges, stereotypes and the desire for change.
"I understand that the more I learn, the more I want to tell others. I want to protect myself and help others," said one of the participants.
Young people want to become ambassadors of peace in their regions and authors of positive changes.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
A psychologist of the Fund “Sukhumi” held meetings in five municipalities, in Women Support Centers of (Khurcha/Zugdidi, Tskaltubo, Senaki, Vani, Terjola). The main topic of the meetings was "Violence against women and the importance of relationships."
These meetings imply support and care, which is especially important for those who have ever faced violence. Violence is not only physical (blows, beatings), it is often silence, fear, offensive words and loss of self-esteem. Often violence occurs quietly, within the walls of the family, from where no sounds are heard. According to the psychologist, this is why meetings and personal communication with such women are necessary to tell them: "You are not alone"! One meeting can give strength, woman can start to speak, ask for help, and we can support and save her.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
During the next meeting of the women's mutual assistance group in Vani, the participants shared various information with each other. One part of the meeting was devoted to digital literacy.
The group members always attend the meetings with great interest. Such meeting was held in the village Khurcha (Zugdidi municipality), Kobuleti, Chokhatauri. In accordance with the needs of the women's mutual assistance group members, sewing courses were opened in Tskaltubo, which is very important for them.
Some of the meetings - in Tskaltubo, Tsalenjikha, Terjola, Kutaisi, Senaki, Khobi - were held online, but no less active and interesting.
A psychologist participated in the meetings together with a digital literacy teacher, who gave the participants useful advice. The group members got acquainted with new materials on our web page https://sosfsokhumi.ge/ – “Digital Service Center for Women Victims of Violence”. Project Assistant Nino Chabukiani notes: “During the meetings, we talked about civil initiatives. The group members filled out questionnaires where they recorded these initiatives. They are interested in different areas of work – poultry farming, cooking, cutting and sewing. These and other areas are presented in the questionnaires. According to the women, support for their initiatives is very important.”
The project is implemented with the support the Equality Fund (Canada)
The rate of identification of cases of violence in Women Support Centers has increased. This was facilitated by the work of Para-specialists. 12 cases were identified during a month. As a result of social work, more than 150 beneficiaries received information about victim support services. Women receive consultations on both legal and psychological issues. The Centers' mobilizers are constantly with them.
Out of 12 cases, the condition of ten beneficiaries improved due to the involvement of a psychologist, and two continue to work with a lawyer on legal issues.
Two women together with their children underwent psycho-rehabilitation at the Rehabilitation Center of our organization: their stable condition is the result of comprehensive work of all the employees of the Center.
The women's reviews:
"When you know exactly whom to address and do not waste time on it, this is important assistance."
"I am a single mother, my social assistance was stopped, I did not know whom to address. Representatives of the Fund “Sukhumi” helped me.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
