The event, titled "Extended Advocacy Meeting to Address the Urgent Needs of IDPs and Conflict-affected Women and Youth," was held at Tbilisi Rooms Hotel. It was organized by UN Women Georgia and civil society partner organizations, including the Association of Internally Displaced Women "Consent," Women's Information Center, and Women's Fund "Sukhumi."

Representatives from national and local government, as well as the Public Defender, took part in the event. This included attendees from the National Association of Local Self-Governments of Georgia, local authorities from target municipalities. Additionally, international organizations, donor organizations operating in Georgia, international non-governmental organizations focusing on the agenda of women, peace, and security, the private sector - companies that have endorsed the principles of women's empowerment, local women's organizations, and community leaders among internally displaced and conflict-affected women, were present at the meeting.

The meeting centered around the key activities outlined in the National Action Plan and the well-being of internally displaced and conflict-affected women and youth residing along the dividing line and in IDP settlements.

The Gender Equality Council (GEC) introduced the presentation of the Report on “Implementation of the Women, Peace and Security Agenda in Georgia”, introduced by Council member, Teona Akubardia. The presentation was held on September 27 symbolically – the Sokhumi massacre day. The participants observed a minute of silence in commemoration of the victims of the war.

The presentation was attended by MPs, executive authorities, as well as the diplomatic corps, international organizations and civil society. The report has been developed within the UN Women project “Accelerating Implementation of Women, Peace and Security Agenda in Georgia”, funded by CSSF.

Exchange of information regarding the advocacy of the identified problems is important For Senaki Women’s Working Group. The problems of roof and rain channels are still prior on the agenda.

The meeting participants spoke about the need to solve problems at the central level. They got acquainted with the agenda of the conference planned in Tbilisi at the end of the month.

- The conference will be attended by the ministries that are responsible for the issues that will be presented at the conference. According to the group members, after voicing their problems, new opportunities for their solution will appear.

The project is implemented with the support

 of the UN Women organization

The guide "Prevention and response to gender-based violence in war and post-war conditions - experience and recommendations of women’s NGOs", was published by the Network Women Against Violence Europe (WAVE). In this publication the successful practice of the Women Fund “Sukhumi” was given as an example from Georgia. This publication and the experience of our organization was the topic of conversation of Fund’s representative in schools of the villages Koki and Didinezi - Zugdidi municipality. The meetings were attended by teachers, parents of pupils and our women activists. According to them, they know the work of the Fund “Sukhumi” well, it is really successful organization, and it is good that people know about it on a global level.

The project is implemented with the support of the Urgent Action Fund for Women's Human Rights

“I am always happy to attend the courses. I work with epoxy and knit. It was the first time I touched clay, and I succeeded in it too,” says Rusudan Gvetadze.

Irma Kldiashvili saw the art of teacher Maka Jishkariani on Facebook and got interested. She applied for the course and, according to her, the lessons met her expectations.

Tamuna Nanava is a girl who “sculpted” a woman from the snow during a “competition” and a boom of yard snowmen on Facebook. Her mother is an artist. She is also talented.

- I appreciate all areas of art. I knit toys, I know how to repair things, I want to try to work in direction of wood carving. I studied to work with polymer clay, I like the whole process, especially making flowers and making dolls.

course participants told to us all this recently...

With our thoughts we are often either in the past or in the future, but in reality everything happens only “here and now”. Mindful person pays attention to the present moment and lives fully.

Mindfulness means full concentration of attention “here and now”.

Mainly this method was used at the training held in Batumi and with our help, 6 Ukrainian women from Kutaisi went to participate in it.

During the training, interesting issues were raised: how to overcome anxiety, how to calm down and love yourself, etc. The women learned a number of exercises. They were satisfied with the training, since this is everything that each of them and their family members need before returning home.

Similar trainings will be conducted with other groups.

The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot

 für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)

In September, support for Ukrainian refugees was actively carried out. The organization has developed a new method of assistance. Instead of a prepared package (food, hygiene products and household chemicals), supermarket vouchers were purchased and vouchers for different amounts were distributed to the beneficiaries.

This month, 8 new people were added to our database (totally 331 people). 180 vouchers were purchased for them and assistance was provided to 110 families (15 families – for the second time).

Ukrainian refugees were also provided with other assistance in accordance with their needs: we paid rent for 6 families; three families received money for utilities; one oncology patient was financed with 647 GEL for tests, and the other one, purchased medicines worth 286 GEL.

Our support service also cares about the psychological condition of Ukrainians: one of the beneficiaries attends courses of polymer clay at a day rehabilitation center, and she really likes the format of the courses. 6 women took part in psychological training held in Batumi. The psychologist of our organization, Manana Gotsiridze, continued to conduct individual consultations for a month.

The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot

 für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)

“Violence against children and neglect of children” - psychologist of the Women Fund “Sukhumi” Eka Khaindrava held meetings on this topic at Women Support Centers of Samtredia, Kobuleti, Senaki, Tsalenjikha and Zugdidi. The target groups were mainly teachers of kindergartens and schools. Individual meetings were held with schoolchildren.

During the meetings it was noted that, after physical signs, a child's behavior is the second main indicator of violence. Most children, who have experienced violence, are passive. Their nutrition may be disrupted, in many cases they do not know how to play, cannot control themselves, and sometimes they have delays in development.

This information is important for teachers to help children.

The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot

 für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)

During these meetings we hear information that we all need! We talk about our problems and feel that we are not alone. When solving any problem, there are people who care about us – this was the assessment given by participants at information meetings in Women Support Centers.

According to them, all existing services are important, so information about them should be available to all beneficiaries so that they can use them in case of need.

Psychologists from the Fund “Sukhumi” actively worked in Women Support Centers; their work is important during both prevention and assistance. In parallel with the information, 10 new cases of violence were identified. Work on these cases is carried out using the resources of our organization.

The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot

 für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)

During the meeting with the members of Khoni youth club, the leader - Anna Kurasbediani demonstrated a presentation on the topic "August 12 - International Youth Day". The audience received information about the history of this day. The second presentation was about the participation of Khoni youth club members in various projects. During the meeting, they talked about the challenges and youth needs in the municipality. The members of both women initiative groups evaluated the annual work, talked about future prospects and discussed the next stages of the advocacy plan.