Ekaterine Gamakharia, the head of the Tbilisi representative office of "Women's Fund Sukhumi," participated in the 25th international conference organized by the WAVE network in Madrid. The conference focused on the topic of "Institutional violence and its impact on women's rights in Europe." Approximately 200 women's rights defenders from various European countries discussed institutional violence against women, female migrants, and disabled individuals who have experienced abuse at the hands of state structures.
During the conference, Ekaterine Gamakharia took part in a parallel panel discussion with representatives from the OSCE (Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe) and non-governmental organizations that are partners of the WAVE network. These organizations, including the Center "Women's Perspectives" in Lviv, Ukraine; the Sexual Assault Crisis Center in Yerevan, Armenia; and the "United Women of Banja Luka" Foundation in Bosnia & Herzegovina, provided insights into the project. Gamakharia had the opportunity to share information about the toolkit titled "Prevention and response to gender-based violence in the war and post-war period: Experience and recommendations of women's non-governmental organizations." The toolkit describes the experiences and best practices of women's organizations in Ukraine, Armenia, Georgia, and Bosnia-Herzegovina in preventing and responding to violence against conflict-affected women in war, protracted conflict, and post-conflict settings. The toolkit can be accessed here
Training on the topic of peace was held with the members of the youth group of the village Koki - Zugdidi municipality. The participants talked about meaning of peace. With the help of a simulated exercise, they discussed that dialogue, communication, cooperation, trust, tolerance are necessary for peace. The training showed how important the involvement of young people in peace processes is. The Women Initiative Group of the village Koki is working on advocacy of identified problems. During the meeting, the participants shared with each other the results achieved in terms of advocacy, they talked about the direction in which the work should be improved.
Tskaltubo Women Initiative Group actively uses monthly meetings to divide problems into priorities and advocacy. In the coming months, the advocacy process will be devoted to the issue of municipal transport.
Participants also talked about covering problematic IDP residential buildings with waterproof material. This issue requires large financial resources, so advocacy at the central level is necessary.
The project is implemented with the support
of the UN Women organization
The members of Kutaisi Women Initiative Group met the deputy head of the social issues department of the municipality, Pikria Khachapuridze, in order to advocate concrete problem. Participants got acquainted with information about social programs and services. They learned who and how can benefit from the given programs. The issue aroused the interest of the audience, it was noted that due to its relevance, the meeting was informative and interesting. The members of Kutaisi Youth Club saw a presentation about the International Day of Girl. They learned about the history and significance of this day. Club members participated in a discussion about gender equality, expressed their opinions and discussed ways to solve problems and raise awareness; During the meeting, new members were accepted in the club.
Senaki Women's Working Group worked on identification of new problems.
- We follow the advocacy plan. Based on the working plan, all stages are envisaged and require a certain period of time. In parallel, we should work on identifying new problems and not to slow down the speed mention the group members.
Among the problems, the issue of installing the sports training equipment in the IDP village was highlighted, and the cleaning of lawns from weeds was also considered urgent. Both issues require research and cooperation with local government. The working group will actively participate in this process.
The project is implemented with the support
of the UN Women organization
Members of the Youth Empowerment Centers of the Women Fund “Sukhumi” and their parents took part in the online information meeting.
During the meeting, there was made a presentation of the guide "Prevention and response to gender-based violence in war and post-war conditions - experience and recommendations of women’s NGOs", (prepared by the Network: Women Against Violence Europe (WAVE).
Participants learned about the successful experience of women organizations, including the Women Fund “Sukhumi”, which is described in the publication.
The project is implemented with the support of the Urgent Action Fund for Women's Human Rights
Meeting with members of women and youth initiative groups was held in Senaki, which was visited by representatives of the donor organization (USAID - United States Agency for International Development): Ekaterine Gamezardashvili and Giorgi Khechinashvili. In the first part of the meeting, the participants talked about the results of the project. Peace activities, participation in research, advocacy, informal debates, meetings with a psychologist, trainings, Georgian-Abkhazian meetings - group members give priority to these main segments and believe that involvement in the project had a positive impact on them. In the next part of the meeting, the participants talked about issues of gender equality: the rights of girls and the daily life of women living in rural areas. Participants believe that due to the mentality problems, there is still a lot of work to be done in terms of gender equality.
The event, titled "Extended Advocacy Meeting to Address the Urgent Needs of IDPs and Conflict-affected Women and Youth," was held at Tbilisi Rooms Hotel. It was organized by UN Women Georgia and civil society partner organizations, including the Association of Internally Displaced Women "Consent," Women's Information Center, and Women's Fund "Sukhumi."
Representatives from national and local government, as well as the Public Defender, took part in the event. This included attendees from the National Association of Local Self-Governments of Georgia, local authorities from target municipalities. Additionally, international organizations, donor organizations operating in Georgia, international non-governmental organizations focusing on the agenda of women, peace, and security, the private sector - companies that have endorsed the principles of women's empowerment, local women's organizations, and community leaders among internally displaced and conflict-affected women, were present at the meeting.
The meeting centered around the key activities outlined in the National Action Plan and the well-being of internally displaced and conflict-affected women and youth residing along the dividing line and in IDP settlements.
The Gender Equality Council (GEC) introduced the presentation of the Report on “Implementation of the Women, Peace and Security Agenda in Georgia”, introduced by Council member, Teona Akubardia. The presentation was held on September 27 symbolically – the Sokhumi massacre day. The participants observed a minute of silence in commemoration of the victims of the war.
The presentation was attended by MPs, executive authorities, as well as the diplomatic corps, international organizations and civil society. The report has been developed within the UN Women project “Accelerating Implementation of Women, Peace and Security Agenda in Georgia”, funded by CSSF.
