Women Support Centers (530)
Women Support Center these are the branches of the Fund “Sukhumi” in Kutaisi, Tskaltubo, Khoni, Terjola, Senaki, Poti, Khurcha / Koki (Zugdidi Municipality), Lanchkhuti, Ozurgeti, created since 2009. The centers are designed to strengthen women, provide social, psychological, legal assistance to women - victims of violence and to crisis families in a difficult life situation. They promote to the protection of women's rights and ensure their socio-psychological rehabilitation.
The psychologist and lawyer of the Fund “Sukhumi” met the teachers and parents of the kindergarten of the village Menji (Senaki municipality). Participants were provided with information that the pupils should be involved in identifying the facts of violence. They understood how to find out a child who is at risk of violence, and what is necessary for rehabilitation. The meeting was held in the format of questions and answers. This is one of the activities in frames of the small project of Senaki Women Support Center “Parents for a Healthy Generation”.
In frames of a small project of Poti Women Support Center, another training was held in kindergarten No. 3.
The connection between inequality and domestic violence, violence against children, preventive mechanisms - discussions were held with kindergarten managers and teachers on these topics. The training participants spoke with pain about the children who grow up in crisis families and who have the lack of joy, a ray of happiness in their eyes. Many problems were identified that directly affect the kids: unemployment, migration and conflict in families, lack of psychological assistance...
On September 21, events, demonstrations and manifestations dedicated to International Day of Peace are held around the world. Governmental and non-governmental organizations, civic groups, youth - celebrate this day together.
All 9 Women Support Centers of the Fund “Sukhumi” joined the International Peace Day with the following slogans: “Peace is the good of civilization”, “Peace at home is peace in the world”, “Peace and love are eternal”!
A workshop with participation of mobilizers of Women Support Centers of 9 municipalities of Western Georgia was held at Fund “Sukhumi”. The meeting summarized the work and defined the plans for future. Mobilizers were familiarized with the recommendations of internal monitoring and developed a strategy, directed to implementation of these recommendations. It was noted that such meetings are important for exchange of information.
In frames of the small project of Terjola Women Support Center, a Women's Club was created. Film screenings and discussions began. In August, the meeting was held with representatives of the community of the village Sazano, and they received information on mechanisms of violence prevention.
The dialogue with the priest was also held. They talked about the reasons of violence and its consequences. It was mentioned an intolerant attitude towards the victim. The priest’s comments affected the meeting participants — they saw the problem differently.
The mobilizers of Senaki, Kutaisi, Khoni, Khurcha / Koki Women Support Centers held mobilization meetings. The main topic was - International Day of Youth and its significance. Before these meetings, the mobilizers met with representatives of local government, studied municipal programs of youth and then talked about these programs. It was noted that young people go abroad to continue their studies or earn money, and do not return, and it negatively affects the demographic and economic situation of the country. The government should take about problem solution.
Group and individual meetings of the lawyer with IDPs living in collective centers of Kutaisi were held In August. The topics of the meetings were determined by the beneficiaries, as they raised questions on their specific problems. But the main discussion was about domestic violence and mechanisms of victim protection.
In frames of the small project of Tskaltubo Women Support Center “Youth against gender-based violence”, there was created a group of young people. A training on: "Project Design and Management" was held for the members of the group. The training participants were especially active, since at the end of the project they were able to independently find grants. They received the necessary theoretical and practical materials. Drafts of 4 project ideas were designed at the training.
“Parents for a healthy generation” – in frames of this small project of Senaki Women Support Center, informational meetings were held with the head of the administration of the village Teklati and the majoritarian deputy - they were provided with information about the project. Since the project envisages the work in kindergartens, an introductory meeting was held with the deputy head of the kindergarten association. All participants of the meetings noted that they will be involved in the implementation of the project.
In frames of the project: “Chain of Violence”, Poti Women Support Center held a regular meeting with members of the Women's Club on the topic: “Family Conflicts - Child - Victim, Rapist”. The meeting was attended by representatives of local government, medical and other spheres.
The aim of the project is to create a strategy of combating the problem of violence with the participation of state and public institutions and coordinated work. It was mentioned that collaboration will give quick results, and will answer existing challenges.