The New Year is coming, and the owners and guests of the Rehabilitation Center of the Women Fund "Sukhumi", have created a beautiful New Year's atmosphere.
In December, another group of victims of violence was here - two women with children, 6 people in total. During their stay, they passed comprehensive work with a psychologist, lawyer, and social worker. The teacher worked with the children, they spent interesting and creative time together...
During 2023, more than 30 women with their children received our support.
Psychologist Manana Gotsiridze shared with us the story of one of the women. Nani (conventional name) is 45 years old. She was brought from one of our target municipalities with two adult children.
Nani left home several times and returned after negotiations and persuasion. Three years ago she even called the police, but then withdrew the statement.
“People still talk about me, this is the woman who wanted to put her husband in prison. Mother did everything to convince me to stay with my husband - it’s not good to be called divorced, be patient, we will help you, where to return, your daughter-in-law is at home and your place is not here, you are already a guest. After I got married, I got lost and still can’t find myself. Only children give motivation, but I no longer want children to be in this environment. Before this, I was never able to close the doors behind me. I hope this time it will work.”
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
The Women Fund “Sukhumi”, in partnership with the Gender Equality Council of Tsalenjikha Municipality, held a series of information meetings with women. The meetings were held in the town Jvari and the villages: Nakifu, Lia, Pakhulani, Sachino, Jgali.
Participants were informed about the global campaign of “16 active days against gender-based violence”, specially prepared information booklets were distributed, and meeting participants with orange ribbons expressed support for the campaign.
Sasha is seven years old, Kirill is eight, Artyom is 15, and Levan, whose mother is Ukrainian and father is Georgian, is ten.
These children often come to psychologist Manana Gotsiridze together with their mothers. Because they need help - the war has changed their way of life, their character...
Fear of loneliness, difficulties of adaptation, hyperactivity, isolation – the psychologist works on these problems with children from Ukraine.
In parallel with children, consultations are held with adults to “ventilate” negative emotions.
In December, the psychologist met with 14 Ukrainian refugees. These meetings, free psychological consultations, useful advice and assistance are especially valuable and necessary for them.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
The Women's Fund 'Sukhumi' organized practical training for representatives of women's civil society organizations in Western Georgia. The training, led by Ekaterine Gamakharia, Head of the Tbilisi office of the Women's Fund 'Sukhumi,' focused on the theme 'Prevention and Response to Gender-Based Violence in War and Post-War Settings.
During the training, participants acquired knowledge about common forms of gender-based violence in times of war and conflict. The session also involved discussions on the direct and indirect impacts of armed or violent conflicts on women, girls, and other vulnerable groups. Throughout the training, participants actively shared their personal experiences during the post-war period and engaged in discussions about strategies crucial for the effective protection of women from violence.
The training was organized by the WAVE network, including the 'Crisis Center for Victims of Sexual Violence' in Yerevan, Armenia; the Women's Fund “Sukhumi” in Kutaisi and Tbilisi, Georgia; and the 'United Women's Foundation Banja Luka' in Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina. They utilized a training module based on the 2022 toolkit “Preventing and responding to gender-based violence in war and post-war settings: experiences and recommendations of women's NGOs.”
The guide is available at the following link: https://wave-network.org/toolkit-prevention-response-gbv-war/?fbclid=IwAR03LQ8QeKi3hM6de-O3nugIL8RdShWbYQ76tAA48o2YRefI4PY65ZVwwxg
UN Women and the National Statistics Office of Georgia (Geostat), with the support of the European Union (EU), presented the most recent results of the National Study on Violence against Women at Radisson Blue Iveria Hotel.
The purpose of the event was to share information with key national partners and stakeholders regarding the study findings. The data and evidence generated from the study aimed to inform legislation and policymaking on ways to combat violence against women and domestic violence in Georgia.
Linda Chikhladze, our representative, attended the presentation.
Women Support Centers actively participated in the 16-day campaign against gender-based violence.
At the initiative of the mobilizers, active discussions were held on topical issues: gender stereotypes, gender-based violence, early marriages and their negative consequences, services for the assistance of violence victims, family conflicts and ways to prevent them...
Information leaflets and posters were distributed to all ten Women Support Centers. Activities were carried out with the involvement of local structures.
Film screenings, discussions, master classes, information meetings, debates in clubs, exhibitions of paintings, 34 events of various formats were held in frames of the campaign. The 16-day campaign covered more than 40 towns and villages and involved more than 300 people.
Women Support Centers once again reminded the public that domestic violence is a universal problem and that joint efforts and integrated approaches are cessary to solve this problem.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
The advocacy group held a meeting with the beneficiaries of the organization in the Youth Empowerment Center of Terjola Municipality, They were informed about the news planned in the budget of the municipality in 2024.
Particular emphasis was placed on the programs of the Department for the Protection of Children's Rights of the City Hall and those programs that are intended for victims of violence - this is single assistance and rent for the apartment. It was noted that it is very important that the public knows more about these programs so that this information can be used and local government can clearly see its feasibility.
Representative of the Gender Equality Council shared good news with the meeting participants - in 2024 the Council will have its own budget, which will include many targeted services that are important for women.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
War is the most brutal violence against women - women IDPs from Abkhazia and refugees from Ukraine know this well. That is why our Ukrainian guests joined the campaign of “16 active days against gender-based violence”.
They attended the final event of the campaign, heard information about the events held by the Women Fund “Sukhumi” in the municipalities of Western Georgia.
The Ukrainians expressed their gratitude. They noted that the support of the Fund “Sukhumi” to their families is immeasurable. The support is expressed by humanitarian assistance, psychological consultation or retraining - for example, some of them passed the courses of polymer clay at a day rehabilitation center.
The day spent with the Fund “Sukhumi” staff and the representatives of various municipalities ended with pleasant impressions for the Ukrainian guests.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
In the framework of the campaign of 16 active days against gender-based violence, the performance of puppet theater was held along with scheduled forum theater performances.
The meeting took place at Kutaisi, Public School No. 2. The pupils of the primary classes attended the performances. Young actors showed the children the play “Turtledove”. The children watched the performance with great interest. The play was dedicated to friendship, support, and equality. The school leaders expressed gratitude to the representatives of the Fund “Sukhumi” and asked the puppet theatre staff to conduct the performances for the other classes at the end of January.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
This year, like previous one, Tsalenjikha municipality has actively participated in the international campaign against gender-based violence.
The Women Fund “Sukhumi”, in collaboration with the Gender Equality Council of the municipality, conducted four trainings for kindergarten staff on the topic “Gender, gender stereotypes, gender-based violence.”
The essence of gender, stereotypes that we hear from an early age, gender imbalance that causes violence and ways to eradicate violence - these issues were discussed with the participants by the trainers: Larisa Shengelia, Khatuna Gogua, Anzhela Chikhladze and Lali Shengelia.
The training cycle was active, interesting and productive.