March 8 is the birthday of the Women Fund “Sukhumi” and a celebration of our positive, necessary and courageous activities. Our organization is 27 years old, and over the years it has changed the lives of many women.
The Women Fund Sukhumi celebrated its birthday at Boutique Hotel Argo.
The audience watched the film “Ana’s Trial” by Tamar Mshvenieradze and Mariam Jachvadze. Then there was a discussion and dialogue with the creative team.
Then everything went as ordinary birthday:
There were memories - success stories of the Fund “Sukhumi”, a personnel gallery of the 27-year-old team.
There were congratulations...
And finally, the chairperson of the Women Fund “Sukhumi”, Alla Gamakharia, cut a birthday cake with the inscription: 27 years - together.
An organization with many years of history and experience continues to actively work in its chosen areas.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
“Person faces various biological, psychological and social demands throughout life. They require adequate response. The ability to effectively respond to such demands is known as adaptation. Envisaging psychological processes and social conditions makes it easier to predict human behavior,” - noted the psychologist. The main topic of her meetings was “Human Behavior in a Social Environment.”
The meetings were mainly held in a group format. There were also several individual meetings.
Psychologist Ekaterine Kvachakidze met with school teachers, kindergarten teachers, students, women under the risk group and socially vulnerable women at Women Support Centers of Samtredia, Zugdidi (village Didinedzi), Senaki, Tsalenjikha and Kobuleti.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
February was active for the psychologist Manana Gotsiridze:
- She conducted a group psychological meeting in Terjola. A conversation about how the victim syndrome manifests itself and how to overcome the victim position was held with 12 women. An individual consultation with the victim of violence was also held.
- From February 12 to 23, another group of victims of violence - two women and six children were placed in Kutaisi Rehabilitation Center. They received comprehensive assistance from a lawyer, psychologist, and social worker. Before leaving, one of them said: “I am incredibly happy that I appeared in such a wonderful place. Every woman should visit this place to understand her situation and understand herself. My eldest daughter was afraid of the psychologist, but she liked it so much that every day she looked forward to interesting, useful conversations.”
- Psychological rehabilitation with the next group was held on Fridays at the day center for working with polymer clay.
- 8 phone calls were received - the psychologist responded to the emotional state of the beneficiaries and helped them.
- 11 individual consultations were conducted across regions online through various platforms.
- 12 individual psychotherapeutic sessions were held in Kutaisi.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
The ordinary meeting of the monitoring and advocacy group was held in Kobuleti. The initiators of the meeting, together with the Women Fund “Sukhumi”, were the Gender Equality Council of the Municipality and the City Hall Department for the Protection of Children's Rights. The meeting was also attended by heads of administrative units. The conversation concerned the availability of services for victims/potential victims of violence against women and/or domestic violence, the importance of local cooperation and coordination in violence prevention.
Dialogue regarding community needs, periodic exchange of information, pooling of resources to help vulnerable families and issues of cooperation was held among members of the referral entities.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
Financial support for Ukrainians who came to Georgia as a result of the war is very important, in order to start something that will give the family stability... Therefore, they participate in various grant competitions in order to receive the necessary funding to start a small business.
This is how some of our beneficiaries started their own businesses. Recently, with the support of various organizations, trainings were held for Ukrainian refugees. Participants learned to formulate business ideas and write projects. This time, two women will receive grants: Irina Khalupka and Natalya Krivitskaya. Irina will do eyelash extensions, and Natalya will do photography.
We believe that young women entrepreneurs will successfully run their businesses - before returning to Ukraine...
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
We are pleased to present the Women Fund “Sukhumi” Rapid Assessment Report: “Municipal Interagency Commissions on Gender Equality, Violence Against Women, and Domestic Violence: Best Practices and Current Challenges”. The document aims to evaluate the relevance of establishing inter-agency commissions to improve collaboration and coordination between state agencies in tackling the issues related to violence against women and domestic violence. It additionally aims to assess the institutional capacities of existing commissions, their accomplishments, and the challenges they encounter.
Based on the research data, it is evident that interagency commissions have a crucial role in coordinating mechanisms for the prevention of violence against women and domestic violence. This is demonstrated by the actions of interagency commissions that have already been formed in several target municipalities. The commissions facilitate more effective local referral procedures, communication, and coordination among stakeholders involved in managing incidents of violence.
However, the analysis of challenges revealed that to establish meaningful changes, it is important to formalize the inter-agency commission further. This requires developing an articulated strategy and leveraging and implementing examples of good practices, both local and international. Additionally, raising awareness among municipality representatives and the general population, ensuring proper delineation of responsibilities with the Gender Equality Council, and encouraging involvement from representatives of diverse agencies in commission activities are essential.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
"Strengthening cooperation and coordination between municipalities and state agencies is crucial for an effective fight against violence against women.
Since 2009, the Women's Fund "Sukhumi" has consistently worked towards activating cooperation and coordination between municipalities and the entities involved in the referral mechanism, as well as sectoral state agencies. The conference held in Kutaisi on February 23, which brought together Women Fund “Sukhumi” partners, representatives from 17 municipalities in Western Georgia, and the central government, marked another significant step in strengthening this process.
"We are working together to create a non-violent and safe environment in our country," said Ekaterine Gamakharia, the head of the Tbilisi representative office of the Fund "Sukhumi."
Yana Koshelets is 37 years old and lives in Kutaisi with her husband and 15-year-old son. They fled the war from Mariupol. At first they lived in Germany, but the boy could not get used to studying and decided to come to Georgia...
Yana is one of those who benefit from consultations of a psychologist of the Women Fund “Sukhumi”. Psychologist Manana Gotsiridze held 4 meetings with families from Ukraine in February. She met with 13 refugees for the first time and planned further therapy, an individual psycho-rehabilitation continues with 6 beneficiaries.
The work of the psychologist with children is of particular importance. The mothers note with satisfaction that after the sessions their children have noticeably changed for the better...
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
The Women Fund “Sukhumi” held a round table meeting in Bagdati municipality with the participation of local referral entities.
The meeting was attended by members of the Gender Equality Council of the City Council, representatives of the City Hall and the police department. The participants talked about the prevention of domestic violence, protection of victims, and social partnership. Particular attention was paid to the problem of violence and effective cooperation with local structures.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
Ukrainians who are associated with us receive various types of assistance. Their total number now is 398 (20 people have been added since the beginning of the year).
In February, 55 food vouchers were issued to 37 families. Our organization helped two families with paying utility bills and 6 families with renting an apartment. As in previous months, expenses for telephone calls, medicines and medical procedures were reimbursed. In connection with all this, people who came from Ukraine express gratitude to the Women Fund “Sukhumi”.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)