Women advocacy groups created in Tskaltubo, Zugdidi and Senaki supported a civil initiative for the advocacy of identified needs. In particular: in the IDP settlement of Senaki, there were no signs with numbers on the apartments, which often created problems (for example, when calling an ambulance). There were no benches for parents and children in the courtyard of the school in the village Koki (Zugdidi municipality). In Tskaltubo, in a new settlement of IDPs, women identified a following problem: the buildings do not have information boards on which the necessary information would be posted (for example, information about a hotline).
The implementation of these initiatives will ensure a safe and adapted environment for women
The project is implemented with the support the Equality Fund (Canada)
Women Support Centers actively joined the International Campaign "16 Active Days against Gender – based Violence". At the initiative of the centers' mobilizers, activities of various formats were held: discussions-debates, drawing exhibitions, film screenings and presentations. It was noted that violence against women is a global problem and society must protest against it.
The 16-day campaign took place from November 25 to December 10, and all ten Women Support Centers participated in it.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
Since 2001, the Women Fund "Sukhumi" has been participating in the international campaign "16 Active Days against Gender-Based Violence". Young people were especially active this year. Youth Empowerment Centers initiated events in Zugdidi, Senaki, Samtredia, Tskaltubo and Terjola municipalities. They are aware of their responsibility for creating a non-violent environment.
About 30 events were planned, but due to the difficult political situation in the country, is was not a large-scale campaign.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
Within the framework of the international campaign, members of the Women Initiative Group of the Village Pakhulani, Tsalenjikha Municipality, held a meeting with both women and schoolchildren. The participants received information about state programs. It was noted that accessibility to the programs and public awareness are important. The organizers spoke about forms of violence and preventive mechanisms. Such meetings, with the participation of various parties, contribute to the elimination of global problems and the involvement of local self-government and public in this process.
In frames of the International campaign "16 active days against gender-based violence", a group of Para-specialists of the Women Fund "Sukhumi" expressed their protest with a mini-action. This group was created to work in different communities to identify conflict families and risk groups. The activities of Para-specialists are aimed at preventing violence. That is why they actively participated in the 16-day campaign.
The project is implemented with the support the Equality Fund (Canada)
Training on "Preparing Para specialists for Social Work" was held on November 29-30 in Kutaisi at the Hotel “Gelati Residence”. The training was attended by 20 women from ten municipalities of Western Georgia: mobilizers and women activists of the Women Support Centers of Vani, Terjola, Tskaltubo, Khoni, Samtredia, Senaki, Khobi, Zugdidi, Tsalenjikha, Chokhatauri.
The participants learned about the essence and importance of social work, received information about services and support programs at local and central levels. The received information will help them to work effectively in local communities to identify the groups under the risk of violence and vulnerable families. And also - to master the skills of a Para specialist, to strengthen the practice of providing consultations and assistance for a timely response to existing challenges.
The project is implemented with the support the Equality Fund (Canada)
At the end of November, during a week, 11 girls from across Western Georgia participated in a Youth Exchange in Poland organized by Kreisau-Initiative e.V. in cooperation with Women Fund "Sukhumi" and Fundacja Krzyżowadla Porozumienia Europejskiego/Stiftung Kreisau.
The Georgian girls are representatives from our youth clubs and demonstrated high motivation, engagement, and interest. The training provided within the program aimed to empower 47 young women from Germany, Georgia, Poland, Ukraine, and Wales and raise awareness about women's rights and self-esteem.
The network meeting was held online. It was attended by members of the Network of Women and Girls Peace Ambassadors from Kutaisi, Khoni, Tskaltubo, Senaki and Zugdidi municipalities.
The meeting participants heard information about an analysis of the current situation from the point of view of problem advocacy in individual municipalities.
The network leaders voiced priority problems in their communities. The work on their identification was held together with the members of the group.
The meeting participants discussed the available opportunities together. By common agreement, all resources will be actively used to solve the identified problems.
The project is implemented with the support
of the UN Women organization
- Thank you for presenting the results of your work. You are more dedicated to your work now than before. I admire your motivation and spirit. You work not only for your beneficiaries, but for the whole country. I am glad that we are your partners. Thank you for the partnership, - said Kim Kwibuka, the representative of our donor organization BrotfürdieWelt, at the end of the meeting.
During the meeting, the project participants presented our work from different sides.
With the support of a German organization, we have been working to empower women and girls in the municipalities of Western Georgia for 18 years, and we also are grateful for the long-term fruitful partnership.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
