A rapid assessment on “Responding to the challenges caused by the post-Covid virus and studying the level of gender sensitivity” was completed. The survey was conducted in 11 municipalities, 580 people took part in the survey. 52 people were interviewed using the focus group method. The survey included beneficiaries living in Abkhazia. As a result of the analysis of the survey, it will be revealed, what is the impact of the covid pandemic on women, how their lives have changed, what are the challenges and what support  they need.

“Responding to the challenges caused by the post-Covid virus and studying the level of gender sensitivity” - the Fund “Sukhumi” is conducting a quick survey on this issue.

Up to 500 people have already been interviewed using questionnaires and focus groups in the target municipalities. Among the beneficiaries there are also people who live in Abkhazia. The survey process will be completed at the end of October, and an analysis will be prepared based on the received data - this will give possibility, to identify the problems and needs caused by the Covid pandemic in a gender perspective.

Since September, the Fund “Sukhumi” group begins a rapid research on the issue of “Responding to the problems caused by the post-Covid virus and studying the level of gender sensitivity”. The process will include the target locations of the Fund "Sukhumi", 11 municipalities: Kutaisi, Tskalutbo, Terjola, Khoni, Senaki, Poti, Kobuleti, Lanchkhuti, Ozurgeti, Zugdidi, Tsalenjikha. Including villages on the conflict dividing line - both on the Georgian and Abkhazian sides.

Questionnaire survey and focus - group format will be used as rhe research methods. An online meeting was held with the persons involved in the research. The participants received consultations to arrange everything, taking into account the necessary regulations.

Women's initiative groups of the Fund "Sukhumi" are actively working in direction of problem advocacy. Meetings with population identify community needs and action to address particularly pressing issues begin.

The moderator of the Fund "Sukhumi" held meetings in the communities of Pakhulani and Tskoushi (Tsalenjikha municipality) - the population was actively involved in the process of identifying and advocating problems.

- What problems are important for the population, how possible is their solution at the local level, what is the significance and results of citizens' inclusion - these issues were discussed during a meeting held by the Women's Initiative Group in Khurcha (Zugdidi municipality).

The attitude of the population is as follows: we need to talk about the problems that worry us, it is necessary to attract the attention of those who can solve these problems. Inclusion of population and activism always have positive results.

The project is implemented with the support of Kvinna till Kvinna,

 women’s Foundation (Sweden)

Women initiative groups of the Fund "Sukhumi" discuss the problems that disrupt normal life in their communities and contribute to conflict situations. The focus is made on priority issues, and the list also includes long-term problems. According to the participants of the meeting, held in Orsantia community (Zugdidi municipality), there is no need to wait for solutions “from above”, their activity will speed up the advocacy process at the local level and help in the regulation of problems.

- How to solve urgent problems for the population, what will be the role of local self-government in their solution - these issues were discussed by the members of the Women Initiative Group. The activists of the communities of Pakhulani and Tskhoushi (Tsalenjikha municipality) consider the problems of water supply and transport as a priority. The issue of advocacy mechanisms was also discussed. According to the advocacy plan, the next meetings will be held with representatives of the local government. The initiative group believes that their inclusion will significantly speed up the problem resolution.

Women initiative groups of the Fund "Sukhumi" continue to work to solve the problems identified in the communities.

The issue of problematic public transport was identified in the village Khurcha (Zugdidi municipality). The transport is often damaged, cannot reach the destination, and the health and safety of the population, especially women is under the risk. Women activists have already developed an advocacy plan. Local self-government will be actively involved in the advocacy process. Problem solution will help to reduce the risks of conflict.

Unresolved social and infrastructural problems violate human security norms, and the condition of women is becoming especially difficult. The women initiative group in the village Kakhati (Zugdidi municipality) focused on the failure of the drainage system, since in rainy weather the streets and courtyards are often flooded. Resettlement of IDPs was also importtant issue, since women and children in the IDP settlement of the village Kakhati have to live in difficult conditions.

The initiative group of the Fund “Sukhumi” held an online informational meeting for the members of the community of the village Pakhulani (Tsalenjikha municipality). Participants discussed the problems, advocacy of which is a priority for the population. According to the action plan, the initiative group will continue the advocacy work with local governments. Women activists are ready to be actively involved in this process.