- What is the quality standard of family and community involvement in the processes taking place in preschool institutions? How high is the gender impact? What prevents the equal inclusion of both parents? What problems hinder the creation of a full-fledged environment? - Information exchange on these issues was held at a meeting in kindergarten #17 in Kutaisi, which was attended by representatives of public and private kindergartens, psychologists, children's rights specialists and parents.
- Low involvement of immigrant parents, lack of communication with fathers and their inclusion, unequal participation of parents of children with disabilities/special needs in the upbringing process, weak coordination with service providers and actors working in the field of children's rights - these and other issues were emphasized by the participants of the meeting. Along with the results of the research, the speakers discussed the resources and opportunities that can be used to address the identified challenges.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
Another information exchange meeting on the findings and recommendations reflected in the research on assessing the gender impact of the family and community participation component of the “Preschool Education Quality Standard” was held in kindergarten #7 in Kutaisi.
Preschool administrators, teachers, educators, methodologists, special education teachers and parents actively discussed the challenges that hinder family and community participation in the educational process.
Participants confirmed the importance of implementing positive practices that ensure the full participation of both parents. In their opinion, a variety of activities, increased staff competence, and partnerships with service providers will improve the quality of interaction between the family and the community with children's institutions, which will contribute to the creation of a full-fledged child-oriented environment.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
The second information exchange meeting, organized by the Women Fund "Sukhumi", was held in kindergarten #25 in Kutaisi. Heads of various preschool institutions, teachers, methodologists, special educators, speech therapists and methodologists were familiarized with the research on assessing the gender impact of the family and community participation component of the "Preschool Education Quality Standard". The research experts presented the findings, best practices and existing problems, which are outlined in the final report, and clearly demonstrated the impact of the standard on students, parents, the community and staff of preschool institutions. Suggestions for improving the service were presented.
During the discussion the meeting participants spoke about the importance of equal participation of both parents in the upbringing and education of children, parental pedagogy, and improving partnership work with preschool institutions. They expressed regret that the experience of specialists in this field has not been sufficiently studied. Its use, expansion of dialogue with parents and other service providers will contribute to more effective implementation of the "Preschool Education Quality Standard". Children and their families will be provided with a full-fledged service that meets modern standards.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
The Women Fund “Sukhumi” has completed the gender impact assessment of the "family and community participation" component of the preschool education quality standard. An information campaign has been launched to exchange information and expand the dialogue with the target groups of the research.
The first meeting was held in the kindergarten #13 in Kutaisi, and was attended by preschool teachers, methodologists, special educators, speech therapists and methodologists.
The meeting participants had the opportunity to discuss the positive results of the “family and community participation” component based on the research findings, as well as the challenges in terms of equal participation of both parents and communication with the community. According to the participants, the main findings and recommendations identified during the research will contribute to the effective implementation of the “Quality Standard of Preschool Education” and the creation of a positive environment focused on the interests of the child.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
Since 2001, the Women Fund "Sukhumi" has been participating in the international campaign "16 Active Days against Gender-Based Violence". Young people were especially active this year. Youth Empowerment Centers initiated events in Zugdidi, Senaki, Samtredia, Tskaltubo and Terjola municipalities. They are aware of their responsibility for creating a non-violent environment.
About 30 events were planned, but due to the difficult political situation in the country, is was not a large-scale campaign.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
In frames of the International campaign "16 active days against gender-based violence", a group of Para-specialists of the Women Fund "Sukhumi" expressed their protest with a mini-action. This group was created to work in different communities to identify conflict families and risk groups. The activities of Para-specialists are aimed at preventing violence. That is why they actively participated in the 16-day campaign.
The project is implemented with the support the Equality Fund (Canada)
- Thank you for presenting the results of your work. You are more dedicated to your work now than before. I admire your motivation and spirit. You work not only for your beneficiaries, but for the whole country. I am glad that we are your partners. Thank you for the partnership, - said Kim Kwibuka, the representative of our donor organization BrotfürdieWelt, at the end of the meeting.
During the meeting, the project participants presented our work from different sides.
With the support of a German organization, we have been working to empower women and girls in the municipalities of Western Georgia for 18 years, and we also are grateful for the long-term fruitful partnership.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
The online workshop, titled "Tactics, Characteristics, and Detection Techniques of Gender Disinformation," was led by Linda Chikhladze, a digital communications specialist, and involved members of the Youth Club from the Kutaisi and Tskaltubo municipalities of the Women's Fund "Sukhumi".
The event was opened by Ana Lomidze, a representative of the Women's Fund "Sukhumi." She shared the results of the project “Changing Narratives: Combating Gender Identity Disinformation for Informed, Sensitive Societies and Ethical Regional Media” with the participating youth.
The Women's Fund "Sukhumi" journalism competition awards ceremony was held at the Gelati Residence Hotel. The competition focused on the ethical coverage of gender identity disinformation and violence against women, and journalists and bloggers working in the Imereti region participated.
The event began with a welcoming speech by Ekaterine Gamakharia, head of the Tbilisi office of the Women's Fund "Sukhumi" and coordinator of the project "Changing Narratives: Fighting Against Gender Identity Disinformation for an Informed, Sensitive Society and Ethical Regional Media," and Ala Gamakharia, director of the Women’s Fund "Sukhumi". In their speech, they spoke about the Women Fund "Sukhumi"'s 25 years of experience in collaboration with journalists, and the importance of ethical coverage of violence against women.
Based on the jury's total points, the awards were distributed as follows:
