The National Association of Local Authorities of Georgia (NALA), with the support of the United Nations Women's Organization and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, organized a national conference titled "Gender Equality Agenda at the Local Level: Main Challenges and Action Steps." Heads of municipalities, representatives from legislative and executive authorities, as well as international and local civil society organizations, participated in the high-level conference.

The representative of the Women's Fund "Sukhumi," Ekaterine Gamakharia, attended the conference. During the discussion, she emphasized the necessity to enhance the role of children's rights protection departments and mayors' representatives in villages. There is a need to strengthen the link between these entities to better inform women, introduce local policies tailored to their needs, and address issues of women at the local level. Additionally, she highlighted the importance of implementing effective mechanisms for the prevention and protection of domestic violence.

It is noteworthy that at the conclusion of the conference, with NALA's advocacy, five additional Georgian municipalities signed the European Charter on the Equality of Women and Men in Local Life. This brings the total to 26 self-governing units that have joined the charter thus far. This time, the self-governing units of Zugdidi, Zestaponi, Chokhatauri, Samtredia, and Baghdati joined the document, thereby affirming their willingness and support for the principles of gender equality in their municipalities.

The event, titled "Extended Advocacy Meeting to Address the Urgent Needs of IDPs and Conflict-affected Women and Youth," was held at Tbilisi Rooms Hotel. It was organized by UN Women Georgia and civil society partner organizations, including the Association of Internally Displaced Women "Consent," Women's Information Center, and Women's Fund "Sukhumi."

Representatives from national and local government, as well as the Public Defender, took part in the event. This included attendees from the National Association of Local Self-Governments of Georgia, local authorities from target municipalities. Additionally, international organizations, donor organizations operating in Georgia, international non-governmental organizations focusing on the agenda of women, peace, and security, the private sector - companies that have endorsed the principles of women's empowerment, local women's organizations, and community leaders among internally displaced and conflict-affected women, were present at the meeting.

The meeting centered around the key activities outlined in the National Action Plan and the well-being of internally displaced and conflict-affected women and youth residing along the dividing line and in IDP settlements.

The Gender Equality Council (GEC) introduced the presentation of the Report on “Implementation of the Women, Peace and Security Agenda in Georgia”, introduced by Council member, Teona Akubardia. The presentation was held on September 27 symbolically – the Sokhumi massacre day. The participants observed a minute of silence in commemoration of the victims of the war.

The presentation was attended by MPs, executive authorities, as well as the diplomatic corps, international organizations and civil society. The report has been developed within the UN Women project “Accelerating Implementation of Women, Peace and Security Agenda in Georgia”, funded by CSSF.

In September, support for Ukrainian refugees was actively carried out. The organization has developed a new method of assistance. Instead of a prepared package (food, hygiene products and household chemicals), supermarket vouchers were purchased and vouchers for different amounts were distributed to the beneficiaries.

This month, 8 new people were added to our database (totally 331 people). 180 vouchers were purchased for them and assistance was provided to 110 families (15 families – for the second time).

Ukrainian refugees were also provided with other assistance in accordance with their needs: we paid rent for 6 families; three families received money for utilities; one oncology patient was financed with 647 GEL for tests, and the other one, purchased medicines worth 286 GEL.

Our support service also cares about the psychological condition of Ukrainians: one of the beneficiaries attends courses of polymer clay at a day rehabilitation center, and she really likes the format of the courses. 6 women took part in psychological training held in Batumi. The psychologist of our organization, Manana Gotsiridze, continued to conduct individual consultations for a month.

The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot

 für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)

“I am always happy to attend the courses. I work with epoxy and knit. It was the first time I touched clay, and I succeeded in it too,” says Rusudan Gvetadze.

Irma Kldiashvili saw the art of teacher Maka Jishkariani on Facebook and got interested. She applied for the course and, according to her, the lessons met her expectations.

Tamuna Nanava is a girl who “sculpted” a woman from the snow during a “competition” and a boom of yard snowmen on Facebook. Her mother is an artist. She is also talented.

- I appreciate all areas of art. I knit toys, I know how to repair things, I want to try to work in direction of wood carving. I studied to work with polymer clay, I like the whole process, especially making flowers and making dolls.

course participants told to us all this recently...

During these meetings we hear information that we all need! We talk about our problems and feel that we are not alone. When solving any problem, there are people who care about us – this was the assessment given by participants at information meetings in Women Support Centers.

According to them, all existing services are important, so information about them should be available to all beneficiaries so that they can use them in case of need.

Psychologists from the Fund “Sukhumi” actively worked in Women Support Centers; their work is important during both prevention and assistance. In parallel with the information, 10 new cases of violence were identified. Work on these cases is carried out using the resources of our organization.

The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot

 für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)

“Violence against children and neglect of children” - psychologist of the Women Fund “Sukhumi” Eka Khaindrava held meetings on this topic at Women Support Centers of Samtredia, Kobuleti, Senaki, Tsalenjikha and Zugdidi. The target groups were mainly teachers of kindergartens and schools. Individual meetings were held with schoolchildren.

During the meetings it was noted that, after physical signs, a child's behavior is the second main indicator of violence. Most children, who have experienced violence, are passive. Their nutrition may be disrupted, in many cases they do not know how to play, cannot control themselves, and sometimes they have delays in development.

This information is important for teachers to help children.

The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot

 für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)

With our thoughts we are often either in the past or in the future, but in reality everything happens only “here and now”. Mindful person pays attention to the present moment and lives fully.

Mindfulness means full concentration of attention “here and now”.

Mainly this method was used at the training held in Batumi and with our help, 6 Ukrainian women from Kutaisi went to participate in it.

During the training, interesting issues were raised: how to overcome anxiety, how to calm down and love yourself, etc. The women learned a number of exercises. They were satisfied with the training, since this is everything that each of them and their family members need before returning home.

Similar trainings will be conducted with other groups.

The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot

 für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)

These beautiful photo collages reflect the final meetings.

September started with summarization of the results of a six-month training course at the Youth Empowerment Centers. Meetings were held with the youth of Terjola, Samtredia, Kobuleti, Khobi and Senaki municipalities. The meetings were attended by teachers, parents, representatives of educational resource centers, youth services and members of the Gender Equality Council.

Group leaders showed interesting presentations. The young people spoke about the work carried out during five months, the results, changes, impact and importance of the project.

Five more final meetings will be held in September. At the same time, new groups are being formed.

The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot

 für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)

Our beneficiaries will create fabulously beautiful accessories from colored beads and floss.

Another new training course started in Terjola Women Support Center. The office for training course has not changed. The work is actively supported by the City Hall and City Council of the municipality.

The teacher of the new group is Mery Kupatadze. Her work is liked by consumers and is marked with the production mark “From Mery”.

A new stage of women success started in Terjola.

The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot

 für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)