Mobilizers of the Women Support Centers of the Fund "Sukhumi" hold monthly informational meetings with representatives of various communities and discuss mechanisms for responding to violence.
In July, the meetings were held interactively in Chokhatauri, Tkibuli and Samtredia municipalities. The participants highlighted the problems in this regard. A lawyer and psychologist of the Fund "Sukhumi" were involved in the work.
In parallel with the facts of violence, social problems were also raised and women activists decided to advocate them.
Another online round table was held in Tkibuli. Referral entities: members of the City Council Gender Equality Council, representatives of local self-government and police, kindergartens, schools, educational resource center, medical staff attended the meeting. They got acquainted with the presentation of the research of the Fund “Sukhumi” aimed at monitoring of the services available to victims and discussed the developed recommendations. During the meeting, they also spoke about the statistics of arresting orders in Tkibuli municipality, identification of violence and the services for victims’ assistance.
The Monitoring and Advocacy Group of the Fund "Sukhumi" is actively working on qualitative research. The topic of the research is: Challenges related to services offered to women victims of violence (in the field of child care services); Experience in promoting employment and economic activity; Barriers for women victims of violence after leaving the shelter / crisis center.
During the research process interesting information was collected about the services provided by the public and non-governmental sectors.
Online round table was attended by local entities of Tsalenjikha municipality: members of the City Council Gender Equality Council, representatives of local self-government and police, kindergartens and schools, an educational resource center, and medical staff. There was a presentation of the research conducted by the Fund "Sukhumi" on monitoring of services for violence victims. The conversation touched upon important issues: statistics of arresting orders in the area of the municipality, identification of problems, the situation in terms of assistance to the victim...
Domestic violence - how open is the society for the discussion of this topic, what prevents the identification of the problem, how informed the population is about the response mechanisms, whom they address when necessary - these issues were discussed during the meetings in Bagdati, Tsalenjikha, Vani and Zugdidi municipalities. When talking about the problem, it was highlighted that the work should be done with the population in terms of identifying families of risk groups and early response.
According to the participants, such meetings will significantly improve the quality of information and will contribute to the prevention of violence.
“Sometimes a person does not realize that demonstration of aggression against a family member is a form of violence. In this regard, informing the population is very important”.
"We don't even realize that sometimes we can become not victims, but rapists."
“Often, when I hear cases of violence at meetings, I see a way out, I know what I can do against violence. Discussions on these issues help to inform people. "
These were the opinions the participants of informational meetings held in Senaki, Terjola and Kobuleti municipalities. The meetings are held by representatives of the Fund “Sukhumi” and they discuss the issues of identifying violence and responding to the problem.
The forum-theater is especially active in the hot days of July.
The first visit was held in Zugdidi, where young audience actively participated in the scenes and solved the raised problem without violence. The discussion was also interesting. Young people expressed the desire to invite teachers and parents to the performances of the forum-theatre.
The arrival of young actors in Kobuleti was especially impressive. The performances of the forum - theater were shown there for the first time and the audience could not hide their surprise because of this unusual format. It was mentioned that speaking this language is interesting and will make people think...
At the initiative of the Fund "Sukhumi" representatives of local referral entities: members of Gender Equality Council, representatives of local self-government and the police gathered at the round table in Senaki. There was a presentation of a research on monitoring of services for victims of violence, conducted by the Fund "Sukhumi".
At the meeting, there was a conversation regarding the situation in the municipality in terms of violence, prevention of violence against women / domestic violence and victims’ protection. The emphasis was placed on cooperation with local structures.
The main mission of the day rehabilitation center is to protect the victim of violence. Therefore, the Fund "Sukhumi" is constantly looking for Companions, supporters, to promote the solution of the problems of beneficiaries.
A memorandum of cooperation was signed between the Fund "Sukhumi" and the Agency for the Assistance to Victims of violence and Trafficking.
According to the memorandum, the Fund provides psychological and legal assistance, professional courses, support of a social worker and service of a rehabilitation center in Kutaisi.
The agency offers the victim a variety of services, including: psychological, social and legal assistance, temporary accommodation in the shelter, crisis center services and a consultative hotline (116 006) in eight languages.
According to the memorandum, the parties will provide each other with proper assistance in protecting the victim of violence / potential victim.
Abrupt refusal to fund higher education tuition fee for students from Tsalenjikha and Zugdidi municipalities, living in villages along the conflict dividing line caused numerous socio-economic problems for them and their families. The recent emergency report of Fund “Sukhumi” highlights the main challenges caused by the cancellation of the “students grant” on the population, as well as provides specific recommendations to reduce the negative impacts.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)