The members of Didinedzi women initiative group discussed women's needs and existing problems during exchange meetings. Such a format, according to the participants, was important for sharing experience and for mutual cooperation. The members of Didinedzi youth group worked on the preparation of projects, which is a step forward in the process of submitting the works to the competition commission.

Domestic violence against women is a problem that is directly connected to security risks and affects the functioning of each sector/sphere of society. Elaboration of correct indicators will ensure early identification of cases of violence and prevention of violence. - This is stated in the introduction of new publication.

Title of the publication: “Risk indicators of domestic violence against women (review of official statistics).” Challenges, recommendations and an overview of official statistics are presented here. This publication is placed on the web-page https://sosfsokhumi.ge/

The project is implemented with the support the Equality Fund (Canada)

During the meeting of the working group of IDP women and girls, the participants once again worked on advocacy plans, reviewed the planned activities to solve the problem step by step, finalized the plan and distributed responsibilities. These are the opinions of the group members:

“I feel that a literate citizen is gradually growing within me.”

“My view on problem solution has changed. Before that, I thought that all I had to do was to write an application and then wait to see whether the local government would take care of us or not.”

“We need the right information in order to achieve our goal. I love the education I get here.”

Within the framework of our project members of the working group study ways and methods of achieving the goal - using the example of their own problems.

A meeting with members of the working group of IDP women and girls was held on the topic “Determining the dynamics of the advocacy plan”.

Participants were once again given the opportunity to review a sample advocacy plan, clarify responsible persons, outline planned activities, and propose a reasonable time frame for starting the advocacy process.

The group members noted that they would definitely use the theoretical knowledge acquired within the project to effectively carry out advocacy.

On April 13 and 14, members of the working group of IDP women and girls attended a training on: “Budget advocacy and citizen participation in self-government.” All four groups – 80 people – took part in the training.

What is the budget, what does the local government program mean, what benefits are provided, what services can IDP women and girls living in Kutaisi use to improve their living conditions - the training participants were informed about these issues. They expressed their opinions:

“It was a necessary and useful training that made many things obvious for us.”

“We learned about responsibilities of local government, what can we demand and what local government cannot do.”

“It turns out that you need to follow the application procedure and register on time.”

“We have found that only application is not enough to satisfy a request or requirement.”

“We learned that it is important to have the right information.”

The project is implemented with the support of  USAID local governance program

- Women need help, they need empowerment. This requires information dellivery, which is provided by the Women Fund “Sukhumi”. We always feel supported, which is very important,” these were the assessments of participants of information meetings at Women Support Centers.

The meetings were held in frames of a new project, which means that information and support for women will continue for another three years. Beneficiaries will again receive various services from the Women Fund “Sukhumi” - consultations with a psychologist and a lawyer will continue to respond to identified problems.

The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot

 für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)

The Women Fund “Sukhumi” has developed “Practical instructions for the effective functioning of the mechanism of municipal coordination to combat domestic violence against women.”

Effective work to combat violence against women requires systematic, consistent and coordinated actions of all authoritative departments, both at the central and local levels.

The goal of the practical guide is to provide practical advices to interdepartmental commissions of municipalities on how to implement an effective and coordinated response to domestic violence at local level. The document is based on best international and local practices.

The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot

 für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)

“The phenomenon of domestic violence” became the main topic of meetings of psychologist Ekatarine Kvachakidze. Domestic violence is the most common form of violence. Some researchers argue that the rapist himself witnessed violence in childhood. This is the theory of “learned behavior.” Bad habits, drugs, alcohol, etc. contribute to violence. We discussed these issues at a group meeting with teachers, where everyone expressed their opinion.

Recent researches have shown that many rapists control themselves more, while women accept their fate, become passive and do not seek a way out.

The aim of the meeting with a psychologist is for women to overcome the “weak woman” within themselves and continue to live with new vision and strength.

Individual and group meetings were held at Women Support Centers of Kobuleti, Vani, Zugdidi (Koki, Didinedzi), Tsalenjikha (Pakhulani).

The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot

 für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)

Cutting and sewing training course was successfully completed In Senaki, and certificates of the Women Fund "Sukhumi" were given to the beneficiaries from the side of successful women: Inga Kardava (Chairman of the City Council Commission on Social Issues), Manana Gvichia (Deputy Chairman of the City Council representing political unity "Georgian Dream - Democratic Georgia") Marine Naneishvili (member of the City Council).

beginner tailors are moving to a new stage - along with acquiring professional skills, they are given the opportunity to start a small business.

The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot

 für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)

“Practical guide for teachers on identifying and responding to violence against children” – this is the title of new publication of the Women Fund “Sukhumi”. It is directed to the representatives of educational institutions - for teachers and educators of schools, kindergartens, nurseries, who have permanent communication with children and are an important link in identifying and responding to violence against children.

The aim of the guide is to provide educational institutions with information and tools that will help them to timely identify the facts of violence against children in school and at home and provide a comprehensive, multi-sector response.

The project is implemented with the support the Equality Fund (Canada)