The Women Fund "Sukhumi" is pleased to share its latest monitoring report titled "Risks of Violence against Women." This study aims to identify and essess the risks of violence against women across 10 target municipalities. The primary objective is to facilitate timely responses to incidents and advocate for the necessary support.
The quantitative research data highlights the challenges pertaining to women's personal safety, underscoring the significant impact of high unemployment, poverty, and domestic violence. Unfortunately, women continue to face obstacles in accessing information and services for domestic violence survivors. The study reveals that, on average, women rate their sense of security as compromised, emphasizing threats to their life, health, property, and freedom of speech.
The recommendations derived from the research findings encompass the reinforcement of women's economic empowerment programs, impactful awareness campaigns, the active involvement of municipalities, enhanced collaboration and coordination among stakeholders in the referral mechanism, establishment of an effective system for monitoring and evaluating implemented measures, and continuous training for relevant specialists. This report serves as a vital tool to guide strategic interventions for a safer and more secure environment for women in the targeted communities.
A two-day training on business and entrepreneurship, business ideas and business planning was held for Kutaisi group of the Day Rehabilitation Center at the office of the Women Fund “Sukhumi”. Participants received qualified consultation on the features of the product/service and pricing, which is important information for developing own business.
Feedback from training participants:
“I learned how to write a business plan in order to move forward on my own”.
“I was praised and I have a feeling that my idea will win because it is new for the society.”
“I learned how to set a budget and how to advertise in order to achieve success in sales.”
The training is a good support for starting own business and will help participants to better prepare for the grant competition of the Fund “Sukhumi”.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
The training course is actively continuing at the Youth Empowerment Centers. Young people get acquainted with new topics with interest, get used to individual or group work, and a culture of discussion.
The December trainings coincided with the information campaign “16 active days against gender-based violence”. Therefore, it was decided that all ten centers should be included in the campaign (Samtredia, Terjola, Vani, Bagdati, Senaki, Zugdidi, Tsalenjikha, Khobi, Kobuleti, Chokhatauri).
Young people started preparation in November and carried out all planned initiated activities on time: creative events, interviews, exhibitions, actions... They themselves were the authors and performers of all events. Teachers and representatives of the school administration were included in the organization as much as possible.
The young people of the Youth Empowerment Centers gained a lot of experience by actively participating in the campaign of this year.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
Women leaders representing IDP community took part in the training “Leadership, presentation, public speech” at Khoni Community Education Center.
The training alternated between practical exercises and thematic videos, discussion and individual work... Thus, using various methods, the participants received useful information about important leadership skills, proper presentation and public speaking.
The training participants noted that the gained knowledge would help them to more actively participate in the process of solving problems in their community.
The work is carried out in partnership with the Center “Abkhazeti” within the framework of the project “Support of the conflict transformation in the South Caucasus and Moldova”.
According to the Ukrainians, we remain the only organization that consistently helps them in many issues.
There are 387 people in our database, 17 new ones were added in December. Assistance with vouchers was provided to 39 families. There was also another type of support: we paid utility bills for 4 families, rent costs for 6 families and telephone costs for one person.
11 Ukrainians took part in the event of the Women Fund “Sukhumi”, which was dedicated to the completion of the campaign of “16 active days against gender-based violence women”. Three of them expressed gratitude and highly appreciated the work of the fund, the consultations of a psychologist and a lawyer, who at different stages provided and continue to provide them with assistance. During this meeting, the women got to know each other and decided to communicate regularly. Yulia Rezvan expressed special gratitude for the opportunity - she bakes, and she was ordered sweet cookies for this meeting. This is a big assistance for her, and she is very glad that “in this difficult time, we are supporting women from Ukraine in every possible way.”
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
Within the framework of the 16-day global campaign youth activities started and will continue until the end of December.
For the given moment, in 10 municipalities, about 1,000 young people took part in thematic discussions, trainings, exhibitions, street actions and performances related to the elimination and prevention of violence.
“The main thing that was emphasized this year is the special partnership of local authorities, educational resource centers, youth departments, school directorates, teachers and parents in our campaign. Our constructive and effective steps have led to the main thing - trust: everything we do is for the proper education of young people,” noted the assistant of working with the youth Nino Chabukiani.
Trainers who conduct training at Youth Empowerment Centers in 10 municipalities talk about the significant contribution of youth to the campaign:
The New Year is coming, and the owners and guests of the Rehabilitation Center of the Women Fund "Sukhumi", have created a beautiful New Year's atmosphere.
In December, another group of victims of violence was here - two women with children, 6 people in total. During their stay, they passed comprehensive work with a psychologist, lawyer, and social worker. The teacher worked with the children, they spent interesting and creative time together...
During 2023, more than 30 women with their children received our support.
Psychologist Manana Gotsiridze shared with us the story of one of the women. Nani (conventional name) is 45 years old. She was brought from one of our target municipalities with two adult children.
Nani left home several times and returned after negotiations and persuasion. Three years ago she even called the police, but then withdrew the statement.
“People still talk about me, this is the woman who wanted to put her husband in prison. Mother did everything to convince me to stay with my husband - it’s not good to be called divorced, be patient, we will help you, where to return, your daughter-in-law is at home and your place is not here, you are already a guest. After I got married, I got lost and still can’t find myself. Only children give motivation, but I no longer want children to be in this environment. Before this, I was never able to close the doors behind me. I hope this time it will work.”
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
Women mutual assistance groups have joined the international campaign "16 active days against gender-based violence ". This campaign empowers women and helps them find more supporters at the local level.
All groups, together with local governments, try to solve their problems. A psychologist from the Women Fund “Sukhumi” presented at several meetings and began working on difficult cases.
Group members talk openly about problems. The meetings were attended by representatives of the City Hall, social services and the gender council, who are ready to get involved in the advocacy process and help women achieve their goals.
The December meetings were distinguished by the fact that group members were awarded with certificates of gratitude for their trust and cooperation. This is a good motivation for them.
The project is implemented with the support the Equality Fund (Canada)
“Leadership, presentation, public speech” - this topic became the topic of the training held at Tskaltubo Innovation Center.
Leaders of homeowners’ association living in the IDP community took part in the training. Practical trainings, thematic videos, and exercises improved the theoretical material.
Participants noted that such trainings are important for them because they develop their skills and competencies.
Participants of the training had the opportunity to listen to representatives of the center “Abkhazeti” and receive the necessary information about the services they offer to IDPs.
The work is carried out in partnership with the Center “Abkhazeti” within the framework of the project “Support of the conflict transformation in the South Caucasus and Moldova”.
