Introducing the latest brief report by the Women Fund "Sukhumi", which assesses the effectiveness of shelters and crisis centers while identifying critical gaps and challenges. The report highlights issues such as limited geographical accessibility, insufficient psychological and multilingual support services, and the absence of childcare options for young children—factors that hinder women survivors of domestic violence from fully utilizing these facilities. It also notes that the 2023 legislative amendments, which removed the "victim status" requirement for accessing services, have yet to be implemented in municipal programs, further limiting access to local support services.
The report emphasizes the need for effective monitoring and follow-up support mechanisms to facilitate the reintegration and independent living of women survivors after leaving shelters. It advocates for strengthening shelters systemically and developing sustainable, effective rehabilitation models to provide comprehensive assistance and safeguard the rights of women affected by violence.
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)
- 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)
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)
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)
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)
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.
We present our new video about research on the risks of violence against women.
The risk indicator map is available here - https://sosfsokhumi.ge/fsdata2024
We are excited to present our column, 'Profile of a Successful Artist,' featuring the inspiring story of Gvantsa. Gvantsa, a polymer clay day center graduate, honed her creative talents and successfully mastered the art of working with polymer clay.
You can explore her work here: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61567478503482