- Women who have changed themselves and the world around them. Stories that evoke positive emotions in listeners and increase the level of civic engagement - this is how the mobilizers of the Women Support Centers assessed the meetings held in March.
The participants of the meeting believe that the activities of the Fund "Sukhumi" and the work of the non-governmental sector in general are of particular importance in direction of strengthening the women. They emphasized the necessity of services to support victims of violence.
Five cases were identified in the Women Support Centers of Terjola, Vani, Tkibuli, Chokhatauri and Bagdati. Specialists of the Women Fund "Sukhumi" were involved in the process of the management of these cases.
At the meeting, the participants were also informed about the practical guide/toolkit: "Preventing and responding to gender-based violence in war and post-war settings - experiences and recommendations of women's NGOs", which was developed by the WAVE Network in collaboration with its four WAVE members in 2022 by the support of the OSCE. The Toolkit describes best practices and the strategies employed by the women's NGOs to prevent and respond to gender-based violence in different phases of conflict.
- Strategies during Wartime and emergency response settings were shared by Ukrainian and Armenian partners Sexual Assault Crisis Center (Yerevan, Armenia), Centre “Women’s Perspectives” (Lviv, Ukraine);
- Strategies during Protracted conflict were described by the Women's Foundation "Sukhumi" (Kutaisi, Tbilisi, Georgia);
- Strategies during Post-war and long-term perspective were based on the experience of the Bosnia-Herzegovina partner. Foundation United Women Banja Luka (Banja Luka, Bosnia & Herzegovina)
(A practical guide is available here https://www.osce.org/secretariat/530695)
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
One of the main tasks of the Women Support Centers is to contribute to the prevention of violence against women. That is why the work in terms of informing the public continues actively. Using the positive examples, the meeting participants emphasized the importance of women's power and solidarity. They heard the stories of successful women who changed the world around them. They talked about women's needs and voiced their own desires: they consider peace and love to be the most important issues.
6 beneficiaries addressed the Women Support Centers of Senaki, Tsalenjikha, Kobuleti, Samtredia and Zugdidi. The management of identified cases has already begun using the resources of the Women's Fund "Sukhumi".
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
In February, group psychological meetings were organized by the Women Support Centers of Kobuleti, Tkibuli, Chokhatauri, Koki (Zugdidi municipality), Senaki, Vani, Terjola, with the inclusion of 53 beneficiaries. Upon request, individual meetings, including online, were also held via messenger and Skype. In Kutaisi, psycho-therapeutic work was carried out in the office of the Women Fund "Sukhumi" with 12 beneficiaries.
With the help of acquired skills, 3 beneficiaries refocused their experiences on a positive position, they were able to cope with personal problems and traumas.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
At the initiative of the mobilizer of Senaki Women Support Center Mzia Bigvava, 2 trainings were held on the topic "Positive Parenthood".
The training was planned according to the needs identified as a result of the research - “The child rights protection and support department’s effectiveness assessment and existing challenges” conducted by the Women Fund "Sukhumi" in 10 municipalities with the inclusion of single mothers, women victims of violence and parents of many children.
Positive parenthood is behavior when a parent shows unconditional love, care, support, and respect for a child.
How to distribute money for the needs of the family, taking into account the interests of everyone and without violence against children and ignoring them - the participants of the training, which was one of the important activities of the Women Fund "Sukhumi", received information on this and many other necessary topics, as a constant connection with the beneficiaries of the rehabilitation center.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
Proper management of cases of violence is an important mission of the Women Support Centers as it raises the trust of beneficiaries and increases the number of appeals.
In order to effectively manage the cases identified in the Women Support Centers of Senaki, Terjola and Chokhatauri, they have already been analyzed and evaluated. Two beneficiaries were redirected to the Rehabilitation Center of the Women Fund "Sukhumi" and pass a course of psycho-rehabilitation. The psychologist continues to work with the others individually.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
- In what direction should the work on violence prevention be improved, how to help women under the risk - these issues are discussed at information meetings that are held monthly at Women Support Centers.
During the meetings initiated by the Women Support Centers of Vani, Zugdidi and Kobuleti, the participants expressed their opinion, which will be reflected in the activities of the Centers.
- It is necessary to disseminate all the necessary information and deliver it to the addressee, this will help to prevent violence, - this is the general position of the participants.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
- As a result of the work of the Women Support Centers, many women have changed their lives, because after receiving information, women become more active, - such is the assessment of the center mobilizers.
In January, six crisis families were identified in the Women Support Centers of Chokhatauri, Kobuleti, Bagdati, Senaki and Terjola. Elimination of risks causing conflict and resolution of the problem is a subsequent process of identification. Mobilizers are the main actors in this process and they are ready to support all women.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
“There were many unpleasant and terrible facts in my life. Six months have passed since the first meeting with a psychologist and many changes happened in my life. Diagnostics gave reason for reflection, recommendations turned into actions, I began to feel better emotionally and even had the strength to achieve new goals. I found many new things in myself… I have acquired strength to achieve new goals. Thanks to Manana Gotsiridze” these are the words of a young woman who is one of the clients of the psychologist of the Women Fund “Sukhumi”.
In January, the psychologist held group and individual psychological meetings in the Women Support Centers of Kobuleti, Terjola, Chokhatauri, Khurcha (Zugdidi municipality) and Pakhulani (Tsalenjikha municipality). 45 beneficiaries were involved. One part of the clients - 16 people – passed therapeutic sessions in Kutaisi, at the head office of the organization. All of them have positive results and these results are improving from month to month.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
Women Support Centers continue to actively inform the public about victim assistance and support services, they help women to advocate various social or infrastructural problems.
In January, as a result of informing process at Women Support Centers of Samtredia, Tkibuli, Zugdidi, Vani and Tsalenjikha, crisis families were identified, work with them continues intensively.
According to the necessity, the psychologist of the Women Fund "Sukhumi" works with each case individually. Child support departments are also actively involved in the assistance process.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
