The advocacy group of the Women Fund "Sukhumi" held online and offline meetings with women's advocacy groups in 10 target municipalities of Western Georgia (Tskaltubo, Khoni, Terjola, Vani, Samtredia, Senaki, Khobi, Chokhatauri, Tsalenjikha, Zugdidi- village Khurcha).
During the meetings, problems were identified, needs were outlined and specific steps for problem advocacy were planned.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
The main topic of the meetings was "What are the characteristics of rapists?"
"Perhaps most of them did not have support and upbringing in childhood, had low self-esteem and were socially isolated. Low self-esteem affects marital relationships. External stresses and life crises, the inability to make decisions are special. The rapist does not know how to look ahead and does not think about the results of his actions," notes Eka Kvachakidze, a psychologist at the Women Fund “Sukhumi”.
The psychologist held online meetings at the Women Support Centers of Zugdidi, Tsalenjikha, Tskaltubo, Khoni and Vani. There were also individual consultations.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
Day rehabilitation centers created by the Women Fund “Sukhumi” provide practical assistance to victims of violence and women in crisis situations. Last year, 28 women learned to work with polymer clay at Kutaisi Center, and 5 completed a nail care course. Five women completed a clay course and the same number completed a cosmetology course at Terjola Day Center. 9 women completed sewing courses in Chokhatauri. After the completion of the courses, trainings were held in Kutaisi and Terjola, where the participants learned to formulate a business idea and write a project. 15 project applications were submitted to the competition committee. Based on the results of the competition, 4 projects from Kutaisi and Terjola were selected, which received small grants. In 2024, with our help, 52 women mastered a new profession, most of whom are already self-employed. They are happy that, having mastered a new profession, they were able to start their own business and improve their economic situation.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
Women Support Centers hold mobilization meetings to prevent violence and identify cases. With the help of the Centers' mobilizers, more than 150 people received information about victim assistance services from the state and non-governmental sector. As a result of the information provided in January, 10 families under the risk were identified. Work with them is already underway - the beneficiaries received consultations from a psychologist and lawyer of the Women Fund “Sukhumi”.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
Women Support Centers have actively started 2025.
In 2024, work was carried out in 10 municipalities of Western Georgia (Vani, Tskaltubo, Khoni, Samtredia, Terjola, Senaki, Khobi, Tsalenjikha, Zugdidi, Chokhatauri).
Women Support Centers work in four directions:
- Prevention of domestic violence in society and support for victims of violence
- Support for women, empowerment of civil activism in local communities
- Monitoring cases of violence
- Identification and advocacy of social and infrastructural problems
Following activities were held in 2024:
- 120 information meetings were held, attended by 1860 people (1476 women, 324 men)
- 552 families under the risk were identified. 490 beneficiaries used the services of a psychologist and a lawyer, 68 women used the services of a rehabilitation center. As a result: the condition of 489 beneficiaries changed for the better. Work continues with 63 women.
- 64 problems were identified (48 social and 16 infrastructural) - 42 problems were solved with the involvement of mobilizers. Work on 22 problems is underway.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
"I felt such great help, hope and respect for the first time. I learned about social services and my rights, about how to achieve justice. I thank you all for your support, attention and warmth, and wish you great success in this difficult work that you do." These are the words of one of the guests of the Rehabilitation Center of the Women Fund "Sukhumi".
In 2024, 71 beneficiaries (39 women and 32 children) underwent rehabilitation at the Center.
The center carries out comprehensive work with women who are victims of violence, survivors of violence, and those in crisis situations, with the involvement of a psychologist, lawyer, social worker, and assistant for working with children.
Each woman leaves the center stronger, more confident, and more informed. Most of them have changed their lives.
In the second half of January, the Rehabilitation Center received new guests and continued its usual work with women and children.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
Gogolesubani is a small village in Chokhatauri municipality. At the request of local women, our organization organized sewing courses and invited Nana Gogoladze, who lives in the same village, as a teacher. The women completed the two-month basic course with great enthusiasm. All of them are happy with the knowledge they received and are asking for more courses.
At the last lesson, an exhibition of works was organized and they were awarded certificates.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
Women Support Centers actively joined the International Campaign "16 Active Days against Gender – based Violence". At the initiative of the centers' mobilizers, activities of various formats were held: discussions-debates, drawing exhibitions, film screenings and presentations. It was noted that violence against women is a global problem and society must protest against it.
The 16-day campaign took place from November 25 to December 10, and all ten Women Support Centers participated in it.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
Since 2001, the Women Fund "Sukhumi" has been participating in the international campaign "16 Active Days against Gender-Based Violence". Young people were especially active this year. Youth Empowerment Centers initiated events in Zugdidi, Senaki, Samtredia, Tskaltubo and Terjola municipalities. They are aware of their responsibility for creating a non-violent environment.
About 30 events were planned, but due to the difficult political situation in the country, is was not a large-scale campaign.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
