From the diary of the psychologist of the Women Fund "Sukhumi"  - Manana Gotsiridze:

Kh. 28 years old: “After the divorce, life stopped for me. Everything was gray, dull, meaningless. I often thought why to live after such a shame. My mother was crying with me, my mother’s friend found us in such condition and advised me to address the psychologist of the Fund “Sukhumi” for help. For almost eight months I learned to look at the world in a new way. I don’t know how to express my gratitude not only for returning a smile on my face, but also for the light in my mother’s eyes. We are happy".

The psychologist has many such stories. These are the results of consecutive, long-term work, which was intensively carried out in February:

The training was held with the members of Zugdidi IDP Women Initiative Group, where they discussed the practice of target groups’ needs research of the target groups.

Participants talked about their strengths and weaknesses, the experience of participating in research.

The group members received comprehensive information on the following issues: techniques of quantitative and qualitative research; How to fill in the online questionnaires, how to conduct a focus group and in-depth interview.

Through the presentation, participants learned about the sample questionnaire and received practical advices. Despite the online format, the meeting turned out to be interesting and active.

The project is implemented with the support

 of the UN Women organization

These are fragments from children's letters.

They address to parents. Express love and talk about problems.

Part of one of the meetings held for the Women Fund "Sukhumi" Youth Empowerment Centers was dedicated to the relationship between children and parents. The idea came to send messages from children to mothers and fathers...

You will read the rest yourself:

• I have seen my mother, in tears, because of my or my brother's words. When I look at her, my heart hurts too, I think about my behavior ... Her tears are a great pain for me. I apologize and tell her that I love her very much ...
• I'm sure when I have a child he/she will treat me the way I treated my parents, so I try not to hurt them.
• My mother is an immigrant and I caress her from distance. Only five months have passed since she left, but it seems to me that we have been apart for many years…

The practice of target groups’ needs research was discussed at the training with Khoni IDP Women Initiative Group. Participants were provided with comprehensive information on conducting quantitative and qualitative research online. They talked about practical work with groups and data collection.

The training was based on practical advices and examples. Participants were particularly interested in the detailed discussion of the online questionnaire, expressing their views on the content of the questionnaire.

The project is implemented with the support

 of the UN Women organization

Within the framework of the project "Women and Youth for Implementation of the Peace and Security Agenda at the Local Level", training was held for the members of Senaki IDP Women Initiative Group. Participants heard information on methods and skills for conducting needs research.

The following issues were discussed: what are the risks of the process of collecting quantitative and qualitative data, how important it is to select the target beneficiaries. Practical exercises on facilitation techniques and skills were done.

The conducted work will help to the members of the group, as they will be directly involved in the research process from the next month.

The project is implemented with the support

 of the UN Women organization

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=702768274079179

In February, the forum-theater operated both live and online. Rehearsals were held, videos were recorded. The young actors held two performances in the central parks of Kutaisi. Despite the fact that the theatre did not have many viewers, the performance is still important in terms of violence prevention.

Monologues of forum-theater actors were posted on the Facebook page of the Women Fund "Sukhumi", which were introduced to hundreds of people.

The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot

 für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)

The six-month training course in Kobuleti, Zugdidi, Chokhatauri, Tsalenjikha and Senaki youth centers is going to its completion. During the last meeting, the participants discussed the topics: Ways of conflict resolution, norms of ethics and aesthetics, relationships between parents and children, problems and reasons”. Now they are preparing for the summarizing event, which will take place in early March. 20 presenters were selected from 5 groups to talk about the impact of the project.

In February, 10 trainings were held in ten municipalities of western Georgia. 196 participants were involved in the trainings.

The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot

 für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)

Dear Women of Ukraine,

We are writing to you on behalf of the internally displaced women organization – Women Fund “Sukhumi”, to express our support and solidarity!

We are the women of Georgia, who have gone through all the hell and horror of the war!

We know how you feel now, and what is happening in your hearts and souls.

We express our greatest support and deep faith that all this horror, bloodshed and tears will end soon! We hope, that whole world will rally and give adequate response to the worst aggressor of all times, so that mothers do not mourn their sons, children do not remain orphans, and nothing threatens peace and stability in the world.

Unfortunately, your country and all of you are undergoing horrible times, but you will withstand it! Because the truth, dignity and pride are with you, and the great commitment to pursue peaceful future of your country! Today, whole world is with you, all who can distinguish and make choice between right and wrong, good and evil!

Everyone is with you, from those who have something to lose to those who are appalled by these horrific events, and overwhelmed by the feeling – How could this be allowed!

"Equality means equal rights. Violence starts if that right is violated."

"Gender is misunderstood by the public, caused by a lack of information. Everyone should understand that it protects the rights of both women and men." - The members of the Tskaltubo youth group had such opinions at information meetings.

According to the participants, gender equality is an important issue, and it contributes to the creation of harmony in society and the protection of human rights.

The project is implemented with the support of the USAID

As a result of information meetings and cooperation with local self-governments, the identification of cases of violence and application has increased. It is followed by the response, which improves the level of trust before the beneficiaries.

Information meetings were held in Vani, Tsalenjikha, Chokhatauri and Terjola Women Support Centers. The services of the Fund "Sukhumi" are actively used to respond to women's problems - consultations with a psychologist and a lawyer, and if necessary - a full rehabilitation course.

According to the mobilizers, the increase in application was promoted by information meetings, which were attended by representatives of various communities.

The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot

 für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)