During a meeting of Senaki Interdepartmental Commission, the results of the work carried out within the framework of the mini-project of civil initiatives “Break the silence - stop the violence” were discussed. According to the position of the commission members, such work must be continued with the support of the municipality in order to envisage the needs in terms of information and educational activities and the provision of services.
The commission discussed cases of domestic violence and agreed on issues of joint response. Once again, the importance of cross-sector coordination and collaboration has become clear.
The project is implemented with the support the Equality Fund (Canada)
At the initiative of the Women Fund "Sukhumi", jointly with the department for the protection of children's rights of Khobi City Hall and the association of preschool education, a meeting on "Local cooperation to create a child/family-oriented psychosocial environment" was held.
An important dialogue took place on child/family-oriented services, challenges, aspects of cooperation in the field of protecting children's rights, preventing domestic violence and assisting the victims. Information on difficult cases was exchanged, and specific joint measures were planned to provide assistance to the most vulnerable category.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
Representatives of the Women Fund “Sukhumi”, together with the Department for the Protection of Children’s Rights of the municipality, held an information meeting in the village Akhalsopeli (Senaki municipality).
The meeting was attended by representatives of the City Hall Department for the Protection of Children's Rights, mothers of many children and single mothers, kindergarten teachers and women from vulnerable groups.
The aim of the meeting was to promote a system of coordination and exchange of information between local referral entities on issues of violence against women and domestic violence. A conversation touched the prevention of domestic violence, the needs of vulnerable women and families with children, as well as municipal services and services offered by the Women Fund “Sukhumi”.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
“Person faces various biological, psychological and social demands throughout life. They require adequate response. The ability to effectively respond to such demands is known as adaptation. Envisaging psychological processes and social conditions makes it easier to predict human behavior,” - noted the psychologist. The main topic of her meetings was “Human Behavior in a Social Environment.”
The meetings were mainly held in a group format. There were also several individual meetings.
Psychologist Ekaterine Kvachakidze met with school teachers, kindergarten teachers, students, women under the risk group and socially vulnerable women at Women Support Centers of Samtredia, Zugdidi (village Didinedzi), Senaki, Tsalenjikha and Kobuleti.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
February was active for the psychologist Manana Gotsiridze:
- She conducted a group psychological meeting in Terjola. A conversation about how the victim syndrome manifests itself and how to overcome the victim position was held with 12 women. An individual consultation with the victim of violence was also held.
- From February 12 to 23, another group of victims of violence - two women and six children were placed in Kutaisi Rehabilitation Center. They received comprehensive assistance from a lawyer, psychologist, and social worker. Before leaving, one of them said: “I am incredibly happy that I appeared in such a wonderful place. Every woman should visit this place to understand her situation and understand herself. My eldest daughter was afraid of the psychologist, but she liked it so much that every day she looked forward to interesting, useful conversations.”
- Psychological rehabilitation with the next group was held on Fridays at the day center for working with polymer clay.
- 8 phone calls were received - the psychologist responded to the emotional state of the beneficiaries and helped them.
- 11 individual consultations were conducted across regions online through various platforms.
- 12 individual psychotherapeutic sessions were held in Kutaisi.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
The ordinary meeting of the monitoring and advocacy group was held in Kobuleti. The initiators of the meeting, together with the Women Fund “Sukhumi”, were the Gender Equality Council of the Municipality and the City Hall Department for the Protection of Children's Rights. The meeting was also attended by heads of administrative units. The conversation concerned the availability of services for victims/potential victims of violence against women and/or domestic violence, the importance of local cooperation and coordination in violence prevention.
Dialogue regarding community needs, periodic exchange of information, pooling of resources to help vulnerable families and issues of cooperation was held among members of the referral entities.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
Informational meetings with medical staff on the topic “Violence against women and domestic violence - the role of doctors in violence prevention and victim assistance” were held in Tskaltubo, Terjola, Tsalenjikha, Senaki, Khoni, Kutaisi and Samtredia municipalities. The meetings were attended by: family doctors, emergency doctors, medical staff working in clinics and rural outpatient clinics.
The conversation touched on the law on combating violence against women/domestic violence, as well as referrals and specifically the role of medical personnel in identifying victims of violence and assisting the victims.
The meeting also included a presentation of the publication of the Women Fund “Sukhumi”, “Practical Guide to Responding to Gender-Based Violence for Representatives of Medical Institutions.”
The project is implemented with the support the Equality Fund (Canada)
"Strengthening cooperation and coordination between municipalities and state agencies is crucial for an effective fight against violence against women.
Since 2009, the Women's Fund "Sukhumi" has consistently worked towards activating cooperation and coordination between municipalities and the entities involved in the referral mechanism, as well as sectoral state agencies. The conference held in Kutaisi on February 23, which brought together Women Fund “Sukhumi” partners, representatives from 17 municipalities in Western Georgia, and the central government, marked another significant step in strengthening this process.
"We are working together to create a non-violent and safe environment in our country," said Ekaterine Gamakharia, the head of the Tbilisi representative office of the Fund "Sukhumi."
An ordinary meeting of the municipal Interdepartmental Commission was held in Bagdati. Members of the commission discussed the plan of activities that will be held in frames of the civil initiative. These activities will increase the awareness of the commission, which is necessary for its targeted work – for reviewing cases and responding to them in a timely manner.
The planned activities include increasing the involvement of representatives of the Mayor of the municipality, managers of preschool educational institutions and youth. All this is important for the effective functioning of the commission, for the timely identification and prevention of domestic violence.
The project is implemented with the support the Equality Fund (Canada)
