St. Nicholas Day is one of the most beloved holidays for kids and adults. Ukrainians believe that St. Nicholas is the patron saint of ordinary people. He always helps those who need it, which is why he is also called a "quick listener." St. Nicholas is considered the patron saint of children - on the eve of the holiday, children write letters to St. Nicholas with their wishes and receive gifts.
According to this tradition, the Women Fund “Sukhumi” organized a celebration for Ukrainian children at Kutaisi Akaki Tsereteli State University. The concert choir of the 2nd music school named after Zakaria Paliashvili performed Ukrainian songs, the anthem of Ukraine and Georgia.
One of the "good magicians" was Mikola Vasilchuk, director of a Georgian-Ukrainian company, who prepared sweet gifts for the children.
The event was attended by the Mayor of Kutaisi - Ioseb Khakhaleishvili, Parliament member - Zaza Lominadze and the Chairman of the City Council - Irakli Shengelia, who made welcoming speeches.
- We will return to Ukraine, and for us and our children it will be one of the most interesting and memorable days spent in Kutaisi, - Ukrainian mothers noted.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
- Thank you so much for your attention, warmth, comfort and home environment. During these two weeks we have fallen in love with you. The psychologist could completely relieve my stressful tension, every time she appeared my fears were washed away like a wave. I felt relief and peace for the first time.
These are the words of a young woman who passed a comprehensive daily rehabilitation at the Rehabilitation Center of the Women Fund "Sukhumi".
In early December, there were two women and three children in the center. The teacher worked with the children - they played together, drew, studied, had fun...
A psychologist, a social worker and a lawyer worked with women on attitudes and beliefs that prevent them from building harmonious relationships. They helped them overcome emotional and behavioral problems in order to better adapt to society.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
The gender equality policy in Georgia and conflict escalation – trainings on this topic are actively conducted in the Youth Empowerment Centers.
Five meetings with young people living in Senaki, Zugdidi, Samtredia, Tkibuli and Tsalenjikha municipalities were held in the first half of the month. The number of participants exceeded 100 people.
All trainings were held offline, therefore, they were distinguished by the involvement of adolescents and their abilities were better revealed during role-playing games, discussions and feedback.
The participants of the training also participated in the campaign of “16 Active Days against Gender-based Violence” and carried out interesting initiated events in their municipalities.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
During the meeting, organized by Tkibuli Gender Equality Council, the presentation of the results of the “Monitoring of the effectiveness of the work of Departments for the Protection of Cchildren's Rights and their Support”, conducted by the Women Fund “Sukhumi”, was held. At the same time, prospects for cooperation between the Fund and the Gender Council were discussed.
Together with members of the Gender Council, a dialogue was held with the Deputy Mayor of the municipality. The conversation touched upon the work on the gender equality strategy and the action plan. It was noted that an interdepartmental commission on the issues of violence against women and domestic violence was created in the executive authorities - this will become the basis of local activities for the prevention of violence and the protection of victims.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
For 16 days, the Facebook page of the Women Fund "Sukhumi" almost "exploded" with news, photos, videos...
Everything began at one meeting...
When talking about the 16-day campaign at a meeting of the Interdepartmental Commission for the Prevention of Violence against Women of the Senaki Municipality, Darejan Zarandia, the head of the educational resource center, expressed her desire to train teachers as trainers so that they can carry out activities in their schools.
If only there were initiatives and... Women Fund "Sukhumi" is always ready to help.
On November 18, a training on the topic “Conducting meetings on issues of violence” was held at the Resource Center. There were 26 teachers from the city and the municipality villages - teachers of Georgian and foreign languages, mathematics, physical education, music, civic education and other subjects from the schools of Menji, Eka, Teklati, Gejheti, Akhalsopeli, Dzveli Senaki and others.
Together with the trainer Lali Shengelia, the participants discussed many issues: femicide, violence against women, referral mechanisms, including necessary phone numbers, shelters, municipal services and support from the Fund “Sukhumi”. They also got acquainted with our web page "Digital Resource Center for Violence Victims".http://sosfsokhumi.ge/
An information meeting was held in the school of the village Didinedzi (Zugdidi municipality), where the teachers of schools and kindergartens participated. The participants of the meeting got acquainted with the research of the Women Fund "Sukhumi", in particular, with the monitoring of the work of the Departments for the Protection of Children's Rights and their Support. Particular emphasis was placed on the services, achievements and existing challenges of the Children's Departments of 10 municipalities, which were identified as a result of the research.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
The Social Justice Center carried out two research presentations: "Places of two-way omission - legal and social challenges in Gali and Akhalgori" and "Challenges and needs of women living close to the dividing lines". The event was attended by the representatives of international, local civil society organizations and state agencies, as well as the head of the Tbilisi representative office of Fund “Sukhumi”. In her speech, Ekaterine Gamakharia focused on the most topical challenges and needs of women living along the Administrative Boundary Lines, including their difficult economic and social situation, unemployment and obstacles for access to the economic activities and finances, problems of free movement along the dividing line, issues of domestic violence against women, etc.
- Actions, workshops, informational meetings, discussion of films on the topic of violence, exhibition of children's paintings - this is the list of events initiated by the Women Support Centers within the framework of the 16-day campaign against gender-based violence.
- What was identified, what was shown, what needs to be done? - the results of the activities answer these questions.
According to the mobilizers of the Centers, the society is informed about the 16-day campaign, which is a step forward. All age segments expressed desire of their personal participation.
During the meetings, it was mentioned that the facts of femicide are alarming and more effective changes are needed in terms of responding to the problems of domestic violence and improving services. Their proposals stated the need to increase the responsibility of the state and society in terms of violence prevention.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
US Ambassador to Georgia Kelly C. Degnan attended the presentation of the Women Fund “Sukhumi” project in Kutaisi. The meeting was held at the office of the project partner - the Association "Peaceful and Business Caucasus" with the participation of representatives of USAID and the US Embassy in Georgia.
The Women Fund "Sukhumi" and the Association "Peaceful and Business Caucasus" presented the results of the USAID project, achieved during the two-year work.
US Ambassador to Georgia Kelly C. Degnan thanked the project representatives for their good and important work in strengthening the capacity of civil society, developing economic and medical directions, for helping to restore confidence and strengthen lasting peace.
During the meeting, gratitude was expressed to the US Embassy for almost the first serious support to the Fund “Sukhumi”, which made it possible to strengthen the organization and create a good background. Subsequently, the Embassy repeatedly financed important project proposals of the Fund "Sukhumi" to support and protect women's rights.
The project is implemented with the support of the USAID
In the framework of the global 16-day campaign against gender-based violence, the monitoring group of the Women Fund "Sukhumi" held an information meeting in the school of the village Etseri (Terjola municipality), which was attended by teachers and upper graders.
The meeting focused on the importance of the problem of violence and the timeliness of the response. The participants got acquainted with the monitoring results of the work of departments for the protection of children's rights and their support. There was a conversation about the services, achievements and tasks of the department. It was revealed that many people do not know about the departments, so it is necessary to disseminate information. It was considered important that departments have the resources to empower vulnerable families.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)