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)
Tsalenjikha, Senaki, Terjola - trainings with youth were held in these three municipalities in January, and trainings in Zugdidi and Samtredia were held online.
The meetings in Senaki and Terjola were especially interesting. Members of these clubs took an active part in the competition, which was held in the framework of the campaign "16 active days against gender-based violence".
The results of the competition were summed up at the end of 2024. At the first meetings of the year, certificates of gratitude and gifts were presented to some of the participants: Salome Lashkarava, Lika Tsurtsumia, Vika Tsurtsumia (Senaki Youth Club), Salome Panchulidze and Mariam Gogsadze (Terjola Youth Club). The victory and awards of the girls are an excellent incentive for other members of the club, who will join the new events with great interest.
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)
The meeting of Khoni IDP Women's Network was held online. Network members discussed topics selected for advocacy.
The existence of a pharmacy and a supermarket is important for the IDP settlement, since the settlement is far from the center and there is no internal transport. This is a problem for women both from a financial point of view and in terms of time. In order to emphasize the urgency of the problem, it is planned to prepare and sign a petition for submission to the relevant authorities.
The project is implemented with the support
of the UN Women organization
Members of Zugdidi Women Initiative Group actively continue to work on the issues selected for advocacy.
They plan to install outdoor lighting and internal roads In Ingiri community and also to expand the existing mini-attraction. With this aim, active women met with the Mayor's representative and received promises of support.
In frames of the project, women and girls improved their skills, learned to find evidence based ways of advocacy, and raised awareness about the necessity of reducing risks.
The project is implemented with the support
of the UN Women organization
Senaki Women Initiative Group actively works to solve problems that have been identified by the active participation of the group members. Despite the difficulties, the advocacy process continues dynamically. The group members are looking for ways and resources to solve problems and are systematically in contact with the authorized persons.
In parallel with advocacy, the members of the working group are actively working to identify existing problems in the community. They share the necessary information with each other at monthly meetings.
The project is implemented with the support
of the UN Women organization
Women and girls from the Tskaltubo IDP community are becoming more and more active in advocating for their problems. They practice the knowledge and experience, accumulated during the project and try to further improve the social environment of the community.
The initiative group aims to solve specific infrastructure problems. This time, the main focus is on the arrangement of a bus stop, a sports ground, and the renovation of a children's attraction.
These initiatives are not only aimed at improving the well-being of the local population, but are also an important prerequisite for promoting the principles of "Women, Peace and Security" at the municipal level.
The group plans to send a letter to the local government so that the issues raised can be discussed at an early stage and the necessary decisions can be made.
Tskaltubo Women's Group increases the motivation of the population that with active involvement it is possible not only to identify problems, but also to successfully solve them.
The project is implemented with the support
of the UN Women organization
