The war in Ukraine further aggravated illness of Polina Minulina. From the day of arrival, our organization has helped a cancer patient in communication with doctors and in paying the required amount for a course of medical treatment. She was grateful, but unfortunately she died in March. The family faced an even bigger problem, and the Women Fund “Sukhumi” helped to pay for the cremation.
This is one example of our support.
Our information database contains the names and surnames of 470 refugees from Ukraine. This means that kindness of the Fund "Sukhumi" has reached everyone.
In March, 35 families received assistance (food, hygiene products) - 78 people. We paid utility bills for 6 families.
Ukrainians also actively participated in several events held in March.
The final meetings at the Youth Empowerment Centers actively continue. The final days have already finished in three municipalities of Samegrelo region. Then the meetings were held in the municipalities of Guria and Adjara - Chokhatauri and Kobuleti. Members of the Gender Equality Councils, representatives of youth services also participated.
One part of the graduates made interesting presentations. The participants of the meetings mainly spoke about the achieved results. The five-month course was highly appreciated by teachers and parents. All participants received certificates, and the most active ones received the certificates of young trainers.
From the next month, the process of forming new groups in the municipalities will begin.
At the meeting, the participants were also informed about the practical guide/toolkit: "Preventing and responding to gender-based violence in war and post-war settings - experiences and recommendations of women's NGOs", which was developed by the WAVE Network in collaboration with its four WAVE members in 2022 by the support of the OSCE. The Toolkit describes best practices and the strategies employed by the women's NGOs to prevent and respond to gender-based violence in different phases of conflict.
- Strategies during Wartime and emergency response settings were shared by Ukrainian and Armenian partners Sexual Assault Crisis Center (Yerevan, Armenia), Centre “Women’s Perspectives” (Lviv, Ukraine);
- Strategies during Protracted conflict were described by the Women's Foundation "Sukhumi" (Kutaisi, Tbilisi, Georgia);
- Strategies during Post-war and long-term perspective were based on the experience of the Bosnia-Herzegovina partner. Foundation United Women Banja Luka (Banja Luka, Bosnia & Herzegovina)
(A practical guide is available here https://www.osce.org/secretariat/530695)
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
Ukrainian psychologists Marna Stepanenko and Anna Shalimova conducted a training for Ukrainian women on the topic "How to identify violence" in the office of the Women Fund "Sukhumi"
The following topics were discussed at the training: the manifestation of violent relationships and skills to combat violence. The trainers spoke about the support of the state and the Fund "Sukhumi" during emergencies.
According to the participants, it was special to conduct the training in their native language. Topics have been chosen correctly and this is a good opportunity to empower women.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
- Women who have changed themselves and the world around them. Stories that evoke positive emotions in listeners and increase the level of civic engagement - this is how the mobilizers of the Women Support Centers assessed the meetings held in March.
The participants of the meeting believe that the activities of the Fund "Sukhumi" and the work of the non-governmental sector in general are of particular importance in direction of strengthening the women. They emphasized the necessity of services to support victims of violence.
Five cases were identified in the Women Support Centers of Terjola, Vani, Tkibuli, Chokhatauri and Bagdati. Specialists of the Women Fund "Sukhumi" were involved in the process of the management of these cases.
At the meeting, the participants were also informed about the practical guide/toolkit: "Preventing and responding to gender-based violence in war and post-war settings - experiences and recommendations of women's NGOs", which was developed by the WAVE Network in collaboration with its four WAVE members in 2022 by the support of the OSCE. The Toolkit describes best practices and the strategies employed by the women's NGOs to prevent and respond to gender-based violence in different phases of conflict.
- Strategies during Wartime and emergency response settings were shared by Ukrainian and Armenian partners Sexual Assault Crisis Center (Yerevan, Armenia), Centre “Women’s Perspectives” (Lviv, Ukraine);
- Strategies during Protracted conflict were described by the Women's Foundation "Sukhumi" (Kutaisi, Tbilisi, Georgia);
- Strategies during Post-war and long-term perspective were based on the experience of the Bosnia-Herzegovina partner. Foundation United Women Banja Luka (Banja Luka, Bosnia & Herzegovina)
(A practical guide is available here https://www.osce.org/secretariat/530695)
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
During the meeting held on March 1,the members of Kutaisi women initiative group received information about the International Women's Solidarity Day. They discussed why women's solidarity is necessary, and also saw a short film about women leaders. At the end of the meeting, the problems and shortcomings identified during the qualitative research were discussed. On March 20, during another meeting held with the members of Kutaisi Youth Club, participants worked on the topic of the Forum Theater - bullying. They drew up a scenario according to which the forum theater performance was staged.
An online meeting was held with members of Senaki women's group. The participants heard stories about the best practices of the Fund "Sukhumi", learned about the results achieved in various areas and about the lessons learned.
The participants of the meeting summarized the achievements in terms of the implementation of Resolution 1325. They also watched a video about the civil forum that was held in Kutaisi. They got acquainted with the ideas developed by the working groups at this forum, which should be integrated into local programs.
The project is implemented with the support
of the UN Women organization
Khoni Women Initiative Group actively continues the process of advocacy. In addition to the fact that members of the group follow the advocacy of unresolved issues, they have also chosen new issues for the advocacy in April.
At the next meeting, the group got acquainted with the activities planned by Khoni group at the civil forum, which will contribute to the implementation of the 1325 Resolution action plan. They also had the opportunity to watch two videos made within the framework of the project, which show the results of their work.
The project is implemented with the support
of the UN Women organization
At the meeting held in March, the members of Tskaltubo women initiative group talked about the topic of women solidarity and its importance. “Solidarity is important in any issue, it is strength, support, empathy that determines success” - this was the mood of the participants. Most of their wishes are related to peace, the well-being of their families and loved ones and to the creation of a better environment. Women leaders who changed the environment, what is solidarity and why do we need it - the members of Tskaltubo youth group discussed these issues in Tskaltubo public schools No 4 and No 1. Exercises were performed and a discussion was held during the meeting.
The time has come for the final meetings at Youth Empowerment Centers. The meetings in three municipalities of Samegrelo region: Zugdidi, Senaki and Tsalenjikha were attended by 122 people: youth, representatives of youth departmanents, education resource centers and gender equality councils, teachers and parents.
Through presentations, young people presented what they had learned during the five-month course. There were interesting discussions, exchange of impressions. Parents and teachers noted that the students participating in the project have changed for the better, they know a lot and have become quite active.
All three meetings were successful. Young trainers were awarded with certificates and other participants received certificates for active involvement.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
