Fatima Robakidze is a mobilizer of Tkibuli Women Support Center.
The center was opened in April of last year and is one of ten ones that are actively working in 10 municipalities within the framework of the project “Strengthening of Women's Rights in Western Georgia”.
In this story, we present a monologue of the mobilizer of Tkibuli Women's Support Center.
This is how Fatima Robakidze turned from an ordinary teacher into a civil activist.
“I am a teacher and believed that I should have the only focus - the educational process and the organization of the educational environment in my class together with the parents of my students. I thought I shouldn't waste time on other issues. The first window opened for me when I was asked to teach a lesson in civic education for a certain period of time.
In the same period, I got acquainted with the work of the Women Fund "Sukhumi" and began to understand that everything that I consider sacred - creation of a favorable climate for children to study and educate, depends on many factors.
The Forum - Theater has a rather interesting history: many performances, dozens of actors who have changed over the years... and now archiving of this story begun - the scenarios were collected and published in one collection. This is kind of a guide about a scenario the performances are built on...
In July, rehearsals and performances were actively held. The Forum - Theater held two performances in Kutaisi - in the central park and in a new park on the bank of the Rioni River.
There were not many spectators, but their feedback was interesting. Tourists spoke with particular enthusiasm. They drew attention to the importance of this unusual form of dialogue with the audience.
Проект осуществляется при поддержке организации Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Германия)
The monitoring group started working on another important issue – assessing the effectiveness of departments for the protection and support of children's rights that exist on the basis of municipalities and identifying current challenges.
At this stage, information about the programs and the existing structure is collected. The monitoring group is in active communication with the departments for the protection and support of children's rights in 10 target municipalities. In-depth interviews are conducted – both with staff and with beneficiaries and experts.
The main focus is on the analysis of the mechanisms of work of these departments, as one of the components of the fight against domestic violence.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
These words do not need comment...
M., 40 years old: - I felt such great help, hope and respect for the first time. I got acquainted with social services and with my rights, for which you need to fight and achieve justice. I am grateful to everyone for the support, attention, warmth and great success to you in this difficult work.
N., 32 years old: - Here I met warm, professional and caring people, from whom I received advice in all areas, I am very grateful to everyone. I think there should be more organizations like this where the victim can get support.
There were 6 people in the Rehabilitation Center of the Women Fund "Sukhumi" in July - 2 women with children. A comprehensive work was carried out, where the teacher, the social worker, the lawyer and the psychologist were actively involved.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
There has been a war in Ukraine for five months. Unfortunately, the number of refugees is growing in our country.
At the end of last month, there were 122 people in our database, who came from Ukraine. Now they are 197. One part lives in Kutaisi and the rest lives in Tskaltubo, Senaki, Zugdidi, Tkibuli, Kharagauli, Vani, Samtredia.
In July, the Women Fund “Sukhumi” provided assistance to 15 families and individuals. As August is a holiday period, the support team is trying to distribute more assistance this month.
On July 2, members of our organization participated in a meeting organized by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. The meeting was attended by representatives of the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and other departments. At the meeting, topical issues were raised that require a quick solution, for example medical assistance for children, childbirth, free vaccinations.
Our organization has communication with various departments. We are also constantly looking for new allies to solve the problems of Ukrainian refugees, thus the issue of free medical treatment of a 5-month-old child has been resolved.
Cutting and sewing courses are being held at the conflict dividing line in the village Pakhulani (Tsalenjikha municipality). The courses teach how to use modern equipment, cut and sew different things - from simple to difficult - select cloths and show creative approach.
According to the participants, it is great to create clothes with your own hands, to bring to life the idea of your image, to create your own unique style and outfit.
They know that they can use the acquired knowledge to start a small business, just as some graduates of Pakhulan or Kutaisi Day Rehabilitation Centers did.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
Another round table was held with the participation of local referral entities in the conference hall of the City Council.
The meeting was attended by members of the Gender Equality Council of Kobuleti City Council, representatives of the Mayor's Office, social services and the police department. Guests from the Lanchkhut City Hall were invited to the meeting - the head of the social security and health service and the social worker of the children's department shared the specifics of their work and practice with their colleagues from Kobuleti.
During the meeting, they talked about the prevention of domestic violence and the protection of the victim, about cooperation with local structures.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
The lawyer of the Women Fund "Sukhumi" actively met with the beneficiaries in the Women Support Centers. In July, group and individual legal meetings were held in 6 municipalities of Western Georgia: in Vani, Kobuleti, Zugdidi (village Koki), Tsalenjikha, Samtredia and Terjola. 34 beneficiaries took part in the meetings.
The lawyer also gave three individual consultations in Kutaisi.
A free legal service is a serious support for people who receive answers to their questions and can competently solve problems with the help of a lawyer.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
97 teenagers participated in trainings held in Vani, Tsalenjikha, Tkibuli, Senaki and Kobuleti. Some meetings were held in a traditional, live form. The other part took place in the Internet space. Despite the form, all meetings were equally interesting, active and informative.
Early marriage and ways to resolve conflicts - the students discussed these issues with the trainers. They gave relevant examples, argued about the negative outcomes of early marriages, or the importance of early conflict resolution.
Meetings of such kind give teenagers the opportunity to think freely. They learn to express their opinions, listen actively, ask and answer questions...
The culture of group work, discussion and conversation - all these skills that young people have acquired or reinforced - are the merit of the training course.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
What kind of information do we give teenagers? What is their vision? What can help to raise their consciousness?
Formation of correct thinking is facilitated by the Youth Empowerment Centers, which operate in ten municipalities of Western Georgia.
Training courses began from the first days of July and the first five trainings were held in Samtredia, Bagdati, Zugdidi, Chokhatauri and Terjola.
During the meetings, the problem of early marriage and ways to resolve conflicts was discussed.
All five trainings were different, with participation of 97 teenagers: active discussions, discussion of interesting cases, frank feedback.
The Women Fund “Sukhumi” is trying to give young people the opportunity to think in accordance with time, combined with values, for the benefit of the future.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)