Psychological consultations and psychotherapeutic sessions are part of the assistance that our organization provides to refugees from Ukraine.

The psychologist of the Women Fund “Sukhumi”, Manana Gotsiridze, actively worked with these people in November. Many years of experience in psycho-rehabilitation of IDPs helps her to understand the emotions of Ukrainians and to choose the best method to work with them. This is why the beneficiaries express pleasure when communicating with her.

During a month, representatives of 6 families contacted a psychologist, and 18 people received consultations. Three of them attend individual psychotherapy sessions.

According to them, this is a great support for Ukrainians living in Kutaisi.

The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot

 für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)

There is a beautiful village - Pirveli maisi (first of May) in Khobi municipality. Our psychologist Manana Gotsiridze visited the village for the first time to talk with women working in the kindergarten.

The initiator of the meeting, Nino Uridia, is the mobilizer of the Women Support Center. After the meeting, she said that she did not expect so much benefit from one meeting. Women Support Center was recently opened in Khobi, and there is little information about the benefits of psychological consultations.

At the end of the meeting, the women mentioned:

- How quickly time flew by. I wanted to talk and listen more.

- I learned so many interesting and useful things.

- I looked at life in different way, reevaluated my priorities.

- I thought about my behavior, emotions, what I do and how it affects me.

- Thanks to everyone who prepared this meeting and especially to the psychologist.

- Please, visit us more often.

In addition to this meeting, the psychologist conducted 14 psychotherapeutic sessions in Kutaisi and 11 individual online consultations with beneficiaries living in different regions. She talked to one boy individually and, with the help of art therapy, helped him adapt to school and overcome his fear of failure.

The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot

 für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)

Psychologist of the Women Fund "Sukhumi" Ekaterine Kvachakidze held group and individual meetings in the Women Support Centers of Terjola, Samtredia, Kobuleti, Zugdidi and Vani. Among the participants there were: victims of violence, representatives of families under crisis, school teachers.

The main topic of the group meetings was “The impact of traumatic experiences on the victim and abuser”. People with traumatic experiences often suffer from psychological stress. In such a situation, it is necessary to work individually with children, work with families, teachers, as a result of which we will get an effective impact.

The meetings were held in question-and-answer mode. The participants showed activity and goodwill. According to them, such meetings are necessary and useful.

The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot

 für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)

A workshop on prevention of violence against women and/or domestic violence, protection and assistance to victims of violence, for members of the Municipal Interdepartmental Commission was held in Vani.

Participants reviewed strategies, which will help to solve specific cases. We discussed the obligations of each member of the commission to operate effectively.

During the workshop it was noted that the commission should contribute to the prevention of violence and timely assistance to victims. It is necessary to review the composition and add members so that the commission can work more actively and achieve more results.

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

Trainings of the six-month course are carried out according to plan. 5 trainings were conducted at the Youth Empowerment Centers of Chokhatauri, Samtredia, Senaki, Kobuleti and Terjola.

It was a discussion of actual issues, problems, group and individual work, which arouse great interest among young people. Parents and teachers of the participants attended the meetings. The active involvement of schools and families is a great incentive for us.

Our initiative should be mentioned - in new groups, together with trainers from the Women Fund “Sukhumi”, graduates conduct trainings on topics that are interesting for them. It has particular importance in our work.

The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot

 für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)

Ekaterine Gamakharia, the head of Women Fund “Sukhumi” Tbilisi Office was privileged to represent Women Fund Sukhumi and civil society organizations as a panelist at a remarkable side event organized by Canada, Chair of the Forum for Security Co-operation, and Ireland, Chair of the Human Dimension Committee. The event was dedicated to the crucial topic of „It's about people': Mental health impacts of war on civilians and military personnel.“

Among panelists were Mr. Oleksandr Klen, Clinical Psychologist at the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Dr. Julijana Stojanova, Deputy Head of the Human Resources Department, Ministry of Defence of the Republic of North Macedonia, Mr. Andrew Gardner, Deputy Head of Human Rights Departments, ODIHR, and Major-General March Bilodeau, Surgeon General in the Canadian Armed Forces.

Working with civil society partners on consent-based rape definition in law and ending Sexual Violence. Challenges to gender-based violence are identified, and an important discussion has been moderated by Tamar Dekanosidze, Equality Now’s Regional Representative in Eurasia.

Collaboration and solidarity are needed to overcome challenges and make systemic changes possible. Our representative - Linda Chikhladze was involved in the working meeting.

Training on “The importance of Gender Impact Assessment (GIA) of local political documents and gender budget for inclusive, equal and fair local governance” was held on November 4-6 in Borjomi, at “Borjomi Palace Hotel”. The training was attended by representatives of local self-government of seven municipalities of Western Georgia: Senaki, Zugdidi, Terjola, Tsalenjikha, Kobuleti, Chokhatauri, Khobi. Also - representatives of the regional administrations of Imereti and Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti.

Participants were informed about the methodology of Gender Impact Assessment (GIA). They got acquainted with the materials of international practice of gender budgeting, achievements and challenges. It was determined how to conduct gender analysis, sectoral distribution in the budgeting process, and assessment of the gender impact of local policy documents.

A workshop for members of Senaki City Hall Interdepartmental Commission of the Municipality on the Prevention of Violence against Women and/or Domestic violence, Protection and Assistance to Victims of Violence was held.

During the meeting, a dialogue was held on the practical aspects of the commission work, several acute cases were discussed and a case management strategy was drawn up.

According to the participants, the commission has great potential for preventing violence against women/domestic violence, as well as for providing victims with timely and adequate assistance. This is due to the fact that this mechanism is represented by intersectoral groups; resources are joined and coordinated.

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

A traditional meeting was held with the members of both Khoni Women Initiative Groups. The participants talked about the International Day of Girls Child and their rights, as well as the needs of women living in rural areas. During the meeting it was mentioned that girls' rights are not properly protected in Georgia and women living in rural areas are facing a lot of infrastructural, social and educational problems. During the meeting held with the members of Khoni youth club, the leader of the club presented a presentation about the International Day of Girls, introduced information about the history of the creation of the holiday and its meaning; One of the club members spoke about women living in rural areas in the format of a presentation. Based on the interviews, she introduced the participants to an ordinary day of a woman. Young people exchanged opinions, discussed problems and needs, and a discussion was held about gender equality.