On September 14, 2022, an info-sharing meeting between the participants of the Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism (IPRM) and civil society representatives in Gori was held.
At the meeting the audience was addressed by the State Minister on Reconciliation and Civic Equality - Thea Akhvlediani, UN Women Representative to Georgia - Kaori Ishikawa; Head of the EU Monitoring Mission - Marek Szczygieł, Deputy Director of the Information and Analytical Department of the State Security Service - Irakli Antadze and the representative of the Office of the Minister of State for Reconciliation and Civic Equality - Zviad Zviadadze.
Ekaterine Gamakharia, representative of Women's Fund "Sukhumi"’s Tbilisi office, in her speech, focused on the restriction of movement for the Georgian population living on both sides of the Enguri river near to the conflict dividing line with Abkhazia, as a result of the suspension of issuance of movement documents by the de-facto Abkhaz government from January 2022. She highlighted the challenges that women encounter due to the restriction, namely crossing the dividing line by roundabout ways, at their own peril; surrendering to Russian soldiers, which cost them fine payment in exchange of release; This not only negatively impacts on their emotional state and increases stress but also puts on them a heavy financial burden. She also spoke about the complicated procedures and restriction of transporting products and cargo at the checkpoints, which hinders both the economic activity of the population and cooperation with the Abkhaz side in general.
This is a project, with the help of which a solar energy system was installed in the Fund "Sukhumi" rehabilitation center on August 4, which allows us to save consumed electricity and natural gas.
The above mentioned activity allows us to take care not only of our women, but also of the environment. This was a gift of the organization "Gamarjoba” (Hello).
The first phase of the project has already been completed and the second phase, which includes the dissemination of information, is ahead.
On September 12 the Women Fund "Sukhumi" organized a civil forum on the topic: "Promotion of Peacebuilding in Civil Society by Women and Youth Initiative Groups -for Sustainable Peace".
The meeting was attended by members of the Youth Initiative Group of the Fund "Sukhumi" from Kutaisi, Tskaltubo, Senaki, Khoni, and Zugdidi municipalities.
At the beginning of the meeting, the invited experts emphasized the importance of youth involvement in peace activities, talked about the peace instruments that exist in the form of national and international documents.
Based on the specifics of individual municipalities the initiative groups worked on what needs to be done on the ground to implement the main tasks that are possible to introduce a culture of peace and promote sustainable peace in society.
Five-month training courses have been completed in the Youth Empowerment Centers of 10 municipalities. Now the final meetings are successfully held.
During the final meetings with representatives of Zugdidi, Senaki, Terjola and Vani municipalities, school directors and teachers, parents of pupils, representatives of the Youth Departments, resource centers and Gender Equality Councils were actively involved.
During their presentations the students talked about the results of the training course. Teachers and parents noted that the five-month work had a good effect on teenagers. They learned a lot, became more active and self-confident, one part of the participants can already independently conduct trainings.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
It was a large-scale and impressive performance for the young actors of the Women Fund "Sukhumi".
With the support of the City Hall of Tsalenjikha Municipality, the shadow theater and the puppet theater performances were held in the cinema hall named after Nikoloz Shengelaya.
The little spectators watched the beautiful scenes with particular interest. Director of the theater Magda Chikhladze told them how the Forum Theatre, the Shadow Theater and the Puppet Theater were created and what is the importance of these performances for the audiences of different ages.
The organizers thanked the theater group of the Women Fund "Sukhumi" and expressed their desire for new meetings.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
On September 5 the Women Fund "Sukhumi" organized a civil forum on the topic: "Promotion of Peacebuilding in Civil Society by Women and Youth Initiative Groups -for Sustainable Peace".
The meeting was attended by members of the Women Initiative Group of the Fund "Sukhumi" from Kutaisi, Tskaltubo, Tsalenjikha, Senaki, Khoni, and Zugdidi municipalities.
At the beginning of the meeting, the invited experts emphasized the importance of women's involvement in peace activities, talked about the peace instruments that exist in the form of national and international documents. The importance of peace initiatives, which will contribute to the introduction of a culture of peace in the society, was analyzed.
Based on the working format, the Women Initiative Groups have worked, taking into account the specifics of individual municipalities. What needs to be done on the ground to implement the main tasks that are possible to introduce a culture of peace and promote sustainable peace in society.
The work of the groups showed that with the help of the Women Initiative Groups, it is possible to implement such initiatives that will contribute to the reduction of aggression in society and the restoration of trust between conflicting parties.
“They have different characters, but all of them have one goal, to learn needlework and start a small business,” says the master Amida Akhalaya. – One of them chose the direction of bed linen, the second wants to paint bags, the third decided to sew festive dresses for children...
In the Day Center of the village Pakhulani, Tsalenjikha municipality, five more women learned the art of cutting and sewing. Regular courses have finished and women have motivation to improve their lives in the village.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
Women came to each lesson with pleasure, as all of them were an interesting innovation and another step towards professionalism.
And so, the ordinary courses of work on polymer clay were successfully completed in the Day Rehabilitation Center of the Women Fund "Sukhumi".
The participants learned how to create original necklaces, accessories, different compositions. At the end, an exhibition of graduates' works was organized, which aroused great interest of the staff. All participants were given certificates – now they can use the acquired knowledge and experience in practice.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
The Rehabilitation Center of the Women Fund "Sukhumi" carried out a comprehensive work for women victims of violence with the participation of social worker, lawyer, psychologist and teacher, who works with children.
In August there were 6 people in the Center - 2 women with children.
One of the beneficiaries noted: “Many thanks for the comfort, for the service, for the advice, for the assistance provided. I didn't know what it was. You made me na my children feel happy”.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
