The Human Rights Protection and Investigation Quality Monitoring Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia (MIA) held a meeting with the Task Force on Ending Violence against Women and Girls (Task Force on EVAWG). Representatives of the international, non-governmental organizations working on EVAWG and the Public Defender's Office of Georgia also participated in the workshop. They discussed the outcome of the activities carried out in combating domestic violence and/or violence against women in recent years, the existing challenges and ways forward. The meeting was held with the initiative of the MIA, in cooperation with UN Women, within the framework of the UN Joint Programme "For Gender Equality" supported by Sweden.
In her speech, Linda Chikhladze focused on the need for additional child care services for the economic empowerment of women, and on the importance of early implementation of programs to correct the behavior of perpetrators for the effective prevention of violence against women.
5 people spent 10 November days in our rehabilitation center - three elderly women and two grandchildren of one of the grandmothers. Everyone tried to create family comfort in the center - delicious dinners were prepared for the guests. A social worker, a lawyer and a psychologist were actively involved in the process of women's rehabilitation and a teacher worked with the children. The work was carried out in direction of traumas, fears, resentment, stress and self-esteem.
The women shared their impressions:
- I have been to many places in my life, but I have never felt such a warm attitude anywhere, the advice of a psychologist is very important to me. Thank you so much for being so attentive and kind.
- Elderly people need warmth. There is a lot of warmth here - especially warm human attitude. Everyone helps, smiles, tries to please you. My soul is rejuvenated and renewed.
- For many years I suffered from psychological abuse from family members. And only now I realized that I need to love myself - that's how I was taught here and I will live by this principle.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
Statistics of meetings in November: Three offline psychological group consultative meetings in the Women Support Centers of Pakhulani (Tsalenjikha municipality), Senaki, Chokhatauri, Vani, online meetings in Tkibuli, Khurcha (Zugdidi municipality) - 47 participants. 23 individual psychotherapy sessions, 12 online out of them .
Psychotherapy session was held with 5 day center beneficiaries who are learning how to work with polymer clay. The group meeting in Senaki was special. There were also women who were in our Rehabilitation Center. They talked about their successes, that they got a job and improved their financial situation. One of them was a victim of violence, she was embarrassed to talk about her problem.
But the fear of death (her husband threatened and chased her with a knife and she miraculously escaped) forced her to speak. Aggression also came from the eldest son, who was on the side of his father. She was humiliated, intimidated in the Rehabilitation Center. In Senaki - we saw her good-looking, self-confident, successful. The eldest son, who accused her of all sins, now hugs her every morning and asks to forgive him. She offered to create a self-assistance group, she will help others and share her successful experience.
Information meetings on the issues of violence were held at the social agency of Senaki municipality and online with a group from Zugdidi municipality. Representatives of various vulnerable groups actively participated.
On the background of frequent cases of femicide in the country, the web page of the Women Fund "Sukhumi" - "Digital Resource Center of Services for Violence Victims" aroused great interest of the audience. The participants believe that information about this page should be delivered to the general public - this will have a positive impact in terms of violence prevention.
The project is implemented with the support the Equality Fund (Canada)
On November 25, a march of the women's movement against sexual violence was held. Together with other solidarity groups, the Tbilisi representative office of the Women's Fund "Sukhumi" joined the march. The organizers and participants of the rally say that sexual acts with a woman without her consent are rape and violence. According to their own statement, this is recognized by international conventions and courts, but Georgian legislation does not recognize it.
Within the 16 days campaign against gender violence on November 25, the Anti-Violence Network of Georgia presented the program fathers violence behavior and correction, aiming to correct the behavior of fathers and support to become as a supportive father. At the meeting, our representative - Linda Chikhladze, based on the findings of the monitoring report of the Women's Fund "Sukhumi" - “Importance of Behavior Change Programs of the Perpetrator at an Early Stage and Existing Best Practices", offered recommendations to the attendees about the importance of implementing the mentioned program at an early stage.
November 25 - Start of the 16-day campaign against gender-based violence.
The Women Fund “Sukhumi” held a traditional silent action in Kutaisi. Thus, it joined the global campaign against gender-based violence with the slogan: Let’s Unite! Activity to End Violence Against Women and Girls”.
The action was attended by the staff of the Fund, representatives of partner organizations, civil activists and youth. Forum theater performances were presented and information booklets were distributed.
Starting today, more than 100 events will be held in the cities and villages of Georgia in the framework of the campaign.
The action was actively covered by central and regional mass media.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
This is a best example of cooperation, the best practice!
The local self-government of Bagdati is a good partner of the Women Fund “Sukhumi”. The Women Support Center is actively working in Bagdati municipality, many interesting initiatives have been implemented.
One more interesting event has started. Women living in the village Dimi are given the opportunity to learn new professions.
Bagdati Gender Equality Council, with the support of the Fund “Sukhumi”, organized free educational courses in the village library. Within 10 weeks, some of the participants will learn how to make products from polymer clay, some will master the profession of a stylist, and some will take an Excel training course. The courses will help women and girls to improve their economic situation.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
Psychologist Manana Gotsiridze has been working in the Women Fund “Sukhumi” for many years, in different municipalities of Western Georgia. With people of all ages.
She conducts group and individual meetings, psychotherapy sessions, helps the couples to overcome conflicts...
One of the psychological problems that many people suffer from is stress.
How to deal with stress? What can help us during stress?
Of course, the psychologist works with everyone individually, but these tips are useful for everyone:
Drink a cup of green tea.
Try to slowly count to 10 and then back, in order to calm down.
Eat chocolate.
Try aromatherapy.
Sometimes writing down your emotions on paper can make them less scary.
Give yourself a hand massage.
One of the ways to avoid stress is to comb your hair for 10-15 minutes.
Delicious food is an effective anti-stress measure.
