We are pleased to present the Women Fund “Sukhumi” Rapid Assessment Report: “Municipal Interagency Commissions on Gender Equality, Violence Against Women, and Domestic Violence: Best Practices and Current Challenges”. The document aims to evaluate the relevance of establishing inter-agency commissions to improve collaboration and coordination between state agencies in tackling the issues related to violence against women and domestic violence. It additionally aims to assess the institutional capacities of existing commissions, their accomplishments, and the challenges they encounter.
Based on the research data, it is evident that interagency commissions have a crucial role in coordinating mechanisms for the prevention of violence against women and domestic violence. This is demonstrated by the actions of interagency commissions that have already been formed in several target municipalities. The commissions facilitate more effective local referral procedures, communication, and coordination among stakeholders involved in managing incidents of violence.
However, the analysis of challenges revealed that to establish meaningful changes, it is important to formalize the inter-agency commission further. This requires developing an articulated strategy and leveraging and implementing examples of good practices, both local and international. Additionally, raising awareness among municipality representatives and the general population, ensuring proper delineation of responsibilities with the Gender Equality Council, and encouraging involvement from representatives of diverse agencies in commission activities are essential.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
During the meeting of Kutaisi working group, the problems of the target communities were identified and prioritized.
The meeting was attended by IDP women and girls living in different communities of Kutaisi. They noted acute problems: damaged roofs or facades, lack of balconies, damp walls, internal roads... Particular attention was paid to the fact that there is no mini-stadium in the settlement, and there are no garbage bins.
In the framework of the project, and with the help of the Women Fund “Sukhumi”, will meet with decision-makers in order to advocate for the identified problems.
The project is implemented with the support of USAID local governance program
“Women’s leadership, forms of communication, mechanisms of civil inclusion” - a training on this topic for IDP women and girls living in different communities of Kutaisi was held at the office of the Women Fund “Sukhumi”.
Lack of information, migration, passivity, irresponsibility, lack of time, indifference – participants noted that this is a short list of factors, that hinders civic engagement at the local level.
During the training, the participants talked about how to improve leadership skills, the quality of communication and motivation in order to increase the participation of citizens in the formation of local policies.
From the feedbacks of participants:
“It was a very interesting training.”
“A leader can’t do anything without a team, and vice versa, so everyone needs to use their abilities to do the general work”.
“I received the necessary information and became familiar with the forms of citizen participation”.
“I often use the gained knowledge”.
The project is implemented with the support of USAID local governance program
The meeting participants - women and girls living in Kutaisi, in various IDP settlements - spoke about the priority problems and tasks that they have accumulated in their communities over the years. The list of main issues included infrastructure problems: faulty drainage system, water in basements, damaged condition of facades and roofs, etc. Access to health services (for reproductive, oncologic needs and people with disabilities) was also emphasized. Young people noted that there are no sports grounds and squares in many places.
The meeting participants decided that they would attend meetings of the City Council and actively participate in the local decision-making process in order to contribute to solving identified problems in IDP communities.
The project is implemented with the support of USAID local governance program
The monitoring group held an information meeting in the village Pakhulani (Tsalenjikha municipality).
The meeting participants were informed about the mechanisms existing in the country, to support and empower the victims of violence, as well as about local government programs.
The lawyer of the Women Fund “Sukhumi” presented to the audience an important document for teachers and medical personnel - on the approval of national referral procedures for identifying, protecting, assisting and rehabilitating victims of gender-based violence and/or domestic violence.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
The Women Fund “Sukhumi” held a round table meeting in Bagdati municipality with the participation of local referral entities.
The meeting was attended by members of the Gender Equality Council of the City Council, representatives of the City Hall and the police department. The participants talked about the prevention of domestic violence, protection of victims, and social partnership. Particular attention was paid to the problem of violence and effective cooperation with local structures.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
February was active for the psychologist Manana Gotsiridze:
- She conducted a group psychological meeting in Terjola. A conversation about how the victim syndrome manifests itself and how to overcome the victim position was held with 12 women. An individual consultation with the victim of violence was also held.
- From February 12 to 23, another group of victims of violence - two women and six children were placed in Kutaisi Rehabilitation Center. They received comprehensive assistance from a lawyer, psychologist, and social worker. Before leaving, one of them said: “I am incredibly happy that I appeared in such a wonderful place. Every woman should visit this place to understand her situation and understand herself. My eldest daughter was afraid of the psychologist, but she liked it so much that every day she looked forward to interesting, useful conversations.”
- Psychological rehabilitation with the next group was held on Fridays at the day center for working with polymer clay.
- 8 phone calls were received - the psychologist responded to the emotional state of the beneficiaries and helped them.
- 11 individual consultations were conducted across regions online through various platforms.
- 12 individual psychotherapeutic sessions were held in Kutaisi.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
Yana Koshelets is 37 years old and lives in Kutaisi with her husband and 15-year-old son. They fled the war from Mariupol. At first they lived in Germany, but the boy could not get used to studying and decided to come to Georgia...
Yana is one of those who benefit from consultations of a psychologist of the Women Fund “Sukhumi”. Psychologist Manana Gotsiridze held 4 meetings with families from Ukraine in February. She met with 13 refugees for the first time and planned further therapy, an individual psycho-rehabilitation continues with 6 beneficiaries.
The work of the psychologist with children is of particular importance. The mothers note with satisfaction that after the sessions their children have noticeably changed for the better...
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
Training on “Evidence-based Advocacy” was held in Tskaltubo Innovation Center. The training was attended by active leaders - women and girls living in different IDP communities.
Participants understood the essence of advocacy, identified problems in their communities, and formulated a strategic advocacy plan.
Through practical examples and exercises, participants analyzed factors that promote and hinder advocacy. The main emphasis was placed on the SWOT analysis, which showed the participants the strengths and weaknesses of the advocacy group. At the end of the training, they noted that the knowledge and skills gained would help them successfully conduct advocacy.
The work is carried out in partnership with the Center “Abkhazeti” within the framework of the project “Support of the conflict transformation in the South Caucasus and Moldova”.
The members of the women and youth groups of the village Didinedzi - Zugdidi municipality hosted the project coordinator, Giorgi Khechinashvili. It was noted that, such meetings are important for both sides from the point of view of receiving information from the donors. During the nearly 3-hour meeting, the representative of the USAID program heard information from the club members about the work done within the project. He learned about the problems and needs of the citizens living near the dividing line. The leader of the club spoke about the benefits of the project, highlighted the issues that were resolved in the village and spoke about plans for future. The meeting turned out to be productive for each participant.