In order to help, you must first find the one who most of all needs compassion, support, empowerment.

In order to empower, you need to know what she needs more!

You must offer what will strengthen her most.

In order to give the support more effect, you need to have allies.

This is a brief concept of the activities of Women Support Centers. The mobilizers of the Women Fund "Sukhumi" operate with this strategy in all ten municipalities (Samtredia, Terjola, Bagdati, Vani, Tkibuli, Senaki, Zugdidi, Tsalenjikha, Kobuleti, Chokhatauri).

The "discovery" of a victim of domestic violence remains a challenge to this day. They are everywhere, next to us, in front of us, but it is still difficult to see them. Because they are silent, they do not trust anyone.

Online training was held with members of Tskaltubo IDP Women Initiative Group. The participants reviewed the methodology for conducting needs research and also shared their experience of participating in surveys with each other.

During the training, they talked about practical work with respondents and data collection, about filling out online questionnaires, conducting focus groups and in-depth interviews. The participants got acquainted the questionnaire and received the necessary advice.

The project is implemented with the support

 of the UN Women organization

The second round has begun

Developing the skills of young people is one of the priority directions of our work.

The component of financing small grant projects also serves this purpose.

How to turn ideas and initiatives into reality, how to plan project activities - a training on these issues was held in Tskaltubo, which was attended by members of the youth initiative group of Kutaisi, Khoni, Tskaltubo, Senaki and Zugdidi.

Trainer Guranda Gvantseladze provided the participants with detailed information on filling in the project application and further project management. The groups also worked on creating the projects.

Participation of citizens in the implementation of local self-governance – training on this topic was held for the members of the Women initiative Group of the village DidiNedzi (Zugdidi Municipality). Legal acts, principles of financial support of the self-government according to the European Charter, self-governmental unit and its powers. These and many other issues were discussed by lawyer Tamar Pachulia. There was an active discussion during the training and the participants were given the opportunity to share their opinions and experiences.

The project is implemented with the support of the USAID

The methods and skills for conducting needs research, the technique of collecting quantitative and qualitative data - these topics were highlighted at the online training, with members of Kutaisi Initiative Group of IDP Women.

The participants discussed the questionnaire template, recorded their opinions, expectations and shared their experiences with each other.

The work is carried out within the framework of the project "Women and Youth for Implementation of the Peace and Security Agenda at the Local Level".

The project is implemented with the support

 of the UN Women organization

"Access to Women / Domestic Violence Victims Assistance Services at the Local Level" - a conference on this topic was held with the involvement of teachers, NGOs, and service providers.

About 80 invited participants from fifteen municipalities heard about the importance of a project funded by the Canada Gender Equality Fund that aims to empower victims of violence, raise e-literacy and impact on public awareness.

The rehabilitation center of the Women Fund "Sukhumi" deserved high evaluation from the audience, which has already hosted dozens of beneficiaries and positively changed their future.

Phones with SOS application and a magic button of our support were “lit up” in several other municipalities: Chokhatauri, Kobuleti, Vani, Bagdati, Senaki, Samtredia, Zugdidi, Terjola, Tsalenjikha, Tkibuli.

The Women Fund "Sukhumi" held a special action - handed over mobile phones to women of vulnerable groups.

This useful activity was carried out together with representatives of local governments, since it is important for the Fund "Sukhumi" to cooperate with municipal structures to improve the social and psychological situation of women.

The project is implemented with the support the Equality Fund (Canada)

The last training from the cycle of trainings organized by the Women Fund "Sukhumi" was held In the Zoom format - this time for the heads of administrative units and specialists from the services of the municipalities of Tkibuli, Kobuleti, Chokhatauri and Tsalenjikha.

The training covered the following issues: the role of local governments in achieving gender equality, prevention and response to domestic violence; forms of civic participation, mechanisms of protection from violence, cooperation with the referral entities in identifying cases of violence and assistance to the victim.

The training participants were introduced to the innovative platform - the web page "Digital Resource Center for Victims of Violence" created by the Women Fund "Sukhumi". The web page gives information to the victim of violence and the person who is interested in her assistance about existing services, protection mechanisms and other relevant topics.

Magda Kostava is the chairperson of the Gender Equality Council of Kutaisi Municipality, a member of the City Council, and a doctor.

Women's Fund "Sukhumi" continues the campaign to break down gender stereotypes - to provide equality, tolerance, and a non-abusive environment in our society.

The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot

 für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)

The WAVE Network, which brings together more than 150 NGOs working on issues of violence against women, organized a meeting to support and solidarity with Ukrainian women and children. The purpose of the meeting was to receive information from our Ukrainian colleagues on the urgent needs of women and children as a result of the war in Ukraine and to exchange information on existing support initiatives from partners. Network members discussed future strategies for providing more effective assistance and support.

Eka Gamakharia, a representative of the Women's Fund "Sukhumi", shared with her colleagues the specific initiatives that are being implemented by the organization to support the population of Ukraine and the Ukrainian refugees in Georgia - providing financial resources and humanitarian aid to the population in occupied Melitopol. Assistance in purchasing necessary items and products for Ukrainian refugees in Kutaisi, paying temporary rent, and employment. Also, offer a consultation with a psychologist.