- What is the link between gender violence and family conflicts. Is this the object of discrimination or not? and what preventive mechanisms should be introduced - discussions on these issues were held in Tskaltubo, Kutaisi and Terjola at the workshops with young people.

With the help of a social video, the participants saw the real picture in terms of gender equality in Georgia - this gave them motivation, to be actively involved in the discussion and to think about ways out.

A small project of Senaki Women Support Center continues. Three activities were held in May:

A workshop with women, living in the village Teklati on "Violence against women and domestic violence, prevention and existing stereotype approaches" was held in the rural administration building.

An information meeting was held in Senaki representation of Social Services Agency, the parties got acquainted with the program, supporting the crisis families and consultative services of the Women Support Center.

A meeting was also held with a lawyer-consultant. The topic of conversation was "Georgian Law on the Elimination of Domestic Violence / Violence Against Women, Protection and Assistance to Victims ".and mechanisms of protection.

In frames of the small project of Poti Women Support Center, a meeting was held at school #29. A psychologist and conflictologist of the fund “Sukhumi” were invited to the meeting. They discussed various topics with young people: healthy lifestyle, conflict between young people, and bullying. The participants received answers to many questions.

Gender violence, discrimination – discussions on these issues were held with young people during the workshops in Poti, Lanchkhuti and Khoni.

Participants discussed the model of Georgian family. They talked about the facts when equality is violated, and when a woman becomes an object of violence.

Young people believe that according to social stereotypes a man is a dominant, and this contributes to the development of conflicts in the family.

In their opinion, informing is one of the mechanisms for overcoming the problem, and therefore they give particular importance to meetings.

Conflict management using methods of effective communication - these issues were discussed at workshops organized in Tskaltubo, Kutaisi and Terjola. Participants heard information about the importance of communication in conflict situations. They fixed their own positions - what helps, and what hinders in effective communication. Workshops were interesting - it was shown by the involvement and activity of the participants.

The Women Support Centers of 9 municipalities in Western Georgia conduct monthly monitoring of violence. Then, the received information is redirected to the lawyer and psychologist of the fund “Sukhumi”.

In April, 11 cases were identified - mainly psychological and economic violence, as well as 2 cases of physical violence. One woman was given the status of a victim of violence, three continued to work with a psychologist, and again three - with a lawyer.

Three people used the legal service of Women Support Centers of the fund “Sukhumi” in April, one in Ozurgeti and two in Kutaisi.

The main issues were domestic conflicts and violence. The lawyer consultants prepared relevant documents and provided consultation. They regularly monitor all cases.

Cooperation with crisis families is complex, and together with a psychologist a conflictologist also is involved. During a month, the work was done with three families. The reasons are different: alcohol, childlessness, incompatibility of characters ... After each meeting, an individual schedule is created to overcome the crisis situation. Based on the situation, the session can be continued for several months.

From the meeting to the meeting, couples have the opportunity to use online consultations. It should be noted that men are ready to cooperate with a psychologist and overcome the crisis.                                       

April was an active month in the work of the psychologist of the fund “Sukhumi”. For various problems, individual psychotherapeutic consultations were given to 6 people, 14 phone calls and Skype conversations. Psychotherapy with family couples was also conducted.

  

Promotion of healthy life style among young people - this actual topic is being implemented by the small project of Poti Women Support Center. In frames of the project, activities are planned in two schools of the city – with the aim to promote a healthy lifestyle.

Informational meetings with the Mayor's advisor on gender issues and the Department for Youth Affairs have already conducted.

The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot

 für die Welt – Evangelischer Entwicklunsdienst (Germany)