Ekaterine Gamakharia, the head of Women Fund “Sukhumi” Tbilisi Office was privileged to represent Women Fund Sukhumi and civil society organizations as a panelist at a remarkable side event organized by Canada, Chair of the Forum for Security Co-operation, and Ireland, Chair of the Human Dimension Committee. The event was dedicated to the crucial topic of „It's about people': Mental health impacts of war on civilians and military personnel.“
Among panelists were Mr. Oleksandr Klen, Clinical Psychologist at the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Dr. Julijana Stojanova, Deputy Head of the Human Resources Department, Ministry of Defence of the Republic of North Macedonia, Mr. Andrew Gardner, Deputy Head of Human Rights Departments, ODIHR, and Major-General March Bilodeau, Surgeon General in the Canadian Armed Forces.
Training on “The importance of Gender Impact Assessment (GIA) of local political documents and gender budget for inclusive, equal and fair local governance” was held on November 4-6 in Borjomi, at “Borjomi Palace Hotel”. The training was attended by representatives of local self-government of seven municipalities of Western Georgia: Senaki, Zugdidi, Terjola, Tsalenjikha, Kobuleti, Chokhatauri, Khobi. Also - representatives of the regional administrations of Imereti and Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti.
Participants were informed about the methodology of Gender Impact Assessment (GIA). They got acquainted with the materials of international practice of gender budgeting, achievements and challenges. It was determined how to conduct gender analysis, sectoral distribution in the budgeting process, and assessment of the gender impact of local policy documents.
Working with civil society partners on consent-based rape definition in law and ending Sexual Violence. Challenges to gender-based violence are identified, and an important discussion has been moderated by Tamar Dekanosidze, Equality Now’s Regional Representative in Eurasia.
Collaboration and solidarity are needed to overcome challenges and make systemic changes possible. Our representative - Linda Chikhladze was involved in the working meeting.
Maria Sosnitskaya from Ukraine. The war brought her to Georgia. In Women Fund “Sukhumi”, she learned about courses of working with polymer clay and became interested. Now she is studying this interesting work with other students. Maria is satisfied with the teaching methods. According to teacher Maka Jishkariani, she is a talented, diligent student and can turn this hobby into a source of additional income.
Maria is going to apply for a grant announced by CareCaucasus. Our 10 Ukrainian beneficiaries will take part in the training, after which they will be able to write a grant project. In the previous competition, three Ukrainians received a grant for small business activities. We believe that the these results will also be successful.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
The little Ukrainian boy has been in Georgia with his mother for two years now, but he still hasn’t got used to the situation. He misses his father, his family... His behavior shows stress. So his mother took him to a psychologist. Drawing, touching pebbles, sand - with the help of these methods the psychologist studies his emotional state. This is how the first sessions go. Gradually the boy becomes bolder, his fears disappear, and he builds better relationship with classmates at school. Of course, mom is very grateful.
Psychologist of the Women Fund “Sukhumi” held meetings with representatives of 7 families. She spoke with 15 people - refugees from Ukraine who survived the war - and felt their experiences. The main thing in working with them is to overcome trauma, cope with the crisis... Some of them were for the first time and the psychologist learned about their needs, and with some of them she continued the process of psycho rehabilitation. Refugees from Ukraine mention that such support is of great importance.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
The support in figures is following:
There are 357 people in our database.
In October, 22 new people were added.
We paid utilities for 4 families.
We paid rent for 7 families.
One of the oncological patients was given 300 GEL for medicines.
The second patient was reimbursed for the MRI - 326 GEL.
15 people received psychological consultation.
36 families received food vouchers.
The Women Fund “Sukhumi” does all this for refugees from Ukraine. Everyone is grateful for this support.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
Trainings in Youth Empowerment Centers continue. After the first five meetings, trainings were held in of Zugdidi, Chokhatauri, Tsalenjikha, Bagdati and Kobuleti municipalities.
The members of the new groups are motivated young people. From participants of previous training course they know that the course is interesting and will help to develop their leadership skills. Therefore, they participate in trainings and take the initiative to use the acquired knowledge in practice. It is gratifying that representatives of youth departments are involved in the process of creating the groups, because they also welcome the formation of an active youth group in their municipalities.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
October was especially busy in Women Support Centers. The meeting participants highlighted specific cases and spoke about the combined reasons of violence. Almost all groups highlighted the negative consequences of early marriage, which is an echo of the tragedy that happened in Sagarejo. Participants emphasized the need for education and informing.
“It is necessary to raise awareness, we need to work more on stereotypes,” the participants believe and talk about holding an information campaign.
As a result of the work of mobilizers, five new cases were identified in October. Beneficiaries will use all services of the und “Sukhumi”.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
The forum theater held two performances in the central parks of Kutaisi. The audience took part in discussions. The topic of domestic violence was the most actively discussed. This is a clear confirmation that this problem is relevant to society.
The group of actors of the Forum Theater was replenished with new members, and their training started. In parallel with the performances, young people carry out active rehearsals.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
About 80 boxes arrived from Tbilisi - clothes, toys, shoes, school supplies.
Employees of the Women Fund “Sukhumi” packed gifts for several days. The gifts were selected by age and season. We received this gift from the organization Women for Justice (donor - OrphanGrainFoundation).
Our organization did charity work independently. And now we have received serious support and will distribute clothes as gifts to the beneficiaries of the rehabilitation center, activists of Women Support Centers and members of mutual-support groups.
The beneficiaries of our rehabilitation center expressed their gratitude:
“A gift is always welcome and timely. At the same time, it has high quality and is very practical. It will be useful for both me and my boys.”
“My children and I often have problems with clothing. Good, kind people help us. We are very pleased with this gift."
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)