Women Support Centers have actively started 2025.
In 2024, work was carried out in 10 municipalities of Western Georgia (Vani, Tskaltubo, Khoni, Samtredia, Terjola, Senaki, Khobi, Tsalenjikha, Zugdidi, Chokhatauri).
Women Support Centers work in four directions:
- Prevention of domestic violence in society and support for victims of violence
- Support for women, empowerment of civil activism in local communities
- Monitoring cases of violence
- Identification and advocacy of social and infrastructural problems
Following activities were held in 2024:
- 120 information meetings were held, attended by 1860 people (1476 women, 324 men)
- 552 families under the risk were identified. 490 beneficiaries used the services of a psychologist and a lawyer, 68 women used the services of a rehabilitation center. As a result: the condition of 489 beneficiaries changed for the better. Work continues with 63 women.
- 64 problems were identified (48 social and 16 infrastructural) - 42 problems were solved with the involvement of mobilizers. Work on 22 problems is underway.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
Women Support Centers actively joined the International Campaign "16 Active Days against Gender – based Violence". At the initiative of the centers' mobilizers, activities of various formats were held: discussions-debates, drawing exhibitions, film screenings and presentations. It was noted that violence against women is a global problem and society must protest against it.
The 16-day campaign took place from November 25 to December 10, and all ten Women Support Centers participated in it.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
Women Support Centers actively continue to inform citizens about services for victims. Ten cases were identified during the month, including risk groups.
In parallel with the identification of cases, they are also analyzed and assessed. Depending on the need, one part of the beneficiaries is referred to a psychologist, the other to a lawyer. Effective case management significantly reduces the risks of violence and helps to prevent violence.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
Women support centers actively work in different communities to ensure that there are as many informed women in society as possible. Awareness of victim support services contributes to the empowerment of women and the prevention of domestic violence.
Along with identifying problems and assisting victims, mobilizers are actively working to study the needs of women in order to continue the process of advocacy for existing problems.
In September, more than 150 women were informed in all ten centers (Khoni, Tskaltubo, Terjola, Vani, Samtredia, Zugdidi, Khobi, Senaki, Tsalenjikha, Chokhatauri), and eight people used the services of the rehabilitation center.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
Training with mobilizers of Women Support Centers was held in Kutaisi, in the office of the Women Fund "Sukhumi". The format of the work included the development of a strategy for the work of the centers.
- Supporting women, monitoring cases of domestic violence, identifying problems and advocacy - the participants discussed what innovations can be introduced, how to increase productivity in this area so that as many women as possible can use existing services.
According to the participants, an important innovation in the activities of Women Support Centers will be the support for civil initiatives and advocacy for community problems. The involvement of a psychologist and a lawyer will help prevent violence and increase the effectiveness of victim assistance
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
Psychologist Ekaterine Kvachakidze talks about the work carried out in August:
I held group and individual meetings in Women Support Centers of Koki (Zugdidi Municipality), Tskaltubo, Khobi, Vani and Terjola. The topic of the meeting was again summer, because during hot days the mind is focused on rest.
The women talked about the problems that prevent them from relaxing with their family members. For the others, this has become an incredible luxury. Most of them, instead of relaxing, worked with children on nut plantations. During the conversation, the children mentioned that they were looking forward to the nut-picking season to earn money.
The women already think about September, the beginning of school, which is associated with buying clothes for children and school supplies. This is what summer holidays are like for rural women.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
Informing citizens about services of victim assistance, identification and solution of problems - the Women Support Centers actively work in this direction.
- Information about services of victim assistance will allow women to make the right decision and use existing services - this is the opinion of participants of the information meetings.
During a month, more than 150 women took part in the meetings. More than 10 crisis families were identified. A psychologist and a lawyer continue to work with them.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
Information meetings were held in all ten Women Support Centers. The meeting participants heard information about services for victims of violence, and got acquainted with NGO programs in direction of violence prevention and assistance to victims.
The meeting participants also talked about the needs of women: it was noted that new professions and programs to improve economic opportunities will contribute to the independence of women and their integration into society.
Participants clearly noted that women are not protected. They are victims of harmful stereotypes. They believe that information and education will create a preventive environment and it is necessary to improve the work in this regard.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
On hot summer days, a person’s mind is focused on relax, so the topic of the psychologist’s meetings was “Relax and Rest.” Due to the busy modern life, rest has become increasingly important, because it is necessary to recuperate after a week full of work and household work.
When we think of rest, the first thing that comes to mind is sleep, but sleep is not enough. There are different forms of relax. The meeting discussed 7 forms of relax: physical, mental, social, spiritual, emotional, sensory and creative relax. Vacation is not a trip out of town or abroad once a year. We can choose a simple activity from the types of relax and do it every day - it is necessary for internal peace and well-being.
Psychologist of the Women Fund "Sukhumi" Ekaterine Kvachakidze held July meetings at Women Support Centers of Chokhatauri, Khurcha (Zugdidi municipality), Samtredia, Tskaltubo and Tsalenjikha.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
