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Training sessions with women leaders from Samegrelo and Imereti in Borjomi

Borjomi hosted two training sessions for women leaders and activists from the Samegrelo and Imereti regions on the topic: “Prevention and Response to Gender-Based Violence in War and Post-Conflict Settings.” These two training sessions were conducted as part of a project implemented in partnership with the WAVE Network and with the support of the OSCE-WIN Project, bringing together 30 women leaders.

On the first day, participants delved into how wars and conflicts disproportionately affect women and girls, examining the forms of violence most used against them. They were also introduced to global statistics on gender-based violence during conflicts. Following the presentations, participants identified the different dimensions of gender-based violence in conflict settings and its severe impacts on various vulnerable groups. Through group work, they explored the long-term effects of conflicts, which have a profound impact on women’s and girls’ psychosocial well-being, disrupting their ability to lead fulfilling lives.

The information on key actors responsible for protecting women and girls at both the national and international levels sparked great interest among the participants. The theoretical segment was followed by the analysis of a real-life case study, where participants identified the responsible actors and discussed strategies for preventing violence and responding effectively.

On the second day, participants explored strategies from women’s organizations in Ukraine, Armenia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, and Georgia, which address gender-based violence during and after conflicts. Among the highlighted best practices was the work of the Women's Fund "Sukhumi." The interactive discussions revealed valuable insights and sparked lively debate.

Participants expressed that the training was both necessary and highly impactful:

"This was my first time attending such a training, and I’m deeply touched. I've heard much about violence against women and have even experienced it myself. But learning about the violence women endure during war was horrifying. It clearly showed the dangers they face. I now see my role more clearly and feel inspired to become more actively involved in prevention work. This training has opened my eyes to so much. I’m grateful for that."

"As a woman who has lived through conflict, it wasn't new to hear that women are used as tools of violence during war. But what's troubling is that this issue remains neglected, and little has changed. No one is talking about it. To this day, the state lacks a comprehensive strategy to protect women."

These training sessions underscored the importance of building awareness and equipping women leaders with the tools to advocate for stronger protection measures in conflict-affected regions.

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