Fund "Sukhumi" begins to work on a project the goal of which goal is to identify conflict situations that exist in society and their prevention at an early stage. On May 27, a training was held on this topic.

- Collection of information, their systematization, prioritization, risk prediction and their minimalization by gender guidelines - the participants worked on these issues in an individual and group format. The acquired knowledge and skills will soon be reflected in the working process.

An active audience gathered in school number 8 of Abkhazian Autonomous Republic (in Kutaisi) named after Zhiuli Shartava. There were the representatives of schools, kindergartens, universities, NGOs.

“Peacebuilding, models of war and peace culture”, this was the name of the training that was conducted for them by the trainers of experienced organization, the Union of Teachers “Education and Universe”. The theoretical and practical parts of the training aroused great interest among the audience. Particularly emotional was the exercise “Sculpture” - the presentation of models of peace and war with the help drama elements.

Discussion and feedback were connected with the emotions of sculpture - what is the feeling when you are part of the “war” and what is it like to be part of “peace”. Everyone decided to use this exercise in their work in various forms, and to show the people the negative consequences of the war and the positive results of peace. As noted at the end, the training will contribute to more active involvement of participants in peacekeeping work.

The meeting was held in frames of the activities of the Coalition "Woman and peace". The Coalition included 10 women NGOs from 4 regions of Western Georgia (Imereti, Samegrelo, Guria, Ajaria).

On December 15-16, in frames of the joint project of Senaki Municipality and the Fund “Sukhumi” a training on: “Gender budget and civic inclusion programs” was held in Sairme.

Council members reviewed the implementation of Senaki Municipality Action Plan on Gender Equality for 2018–2019, they talked about budget programs in terms of gender, the experience of other municipalities in terms of introducing innovative services. Interesting perspectives were highlighted in terms of implementation of civil budget principles - this will contribute to the greater inclusion of citizens in local government and the implementation of important initiatives.

Two publications of the Fund “Sukhumi” were presented at the training - “Implementation of gender mainstreaming in municipalities” and “Methodology of gender monitoring of the local budget”. According to the participants, these manuals will help them in creating a local gender agenda, in identifying and envisaging the needs of various vulnerable groups.

At the end of the training, participants were awarded with certificates.

It should be noted that the Fund "Sukhumi" and Senaki Municipality Sakrebulo cooperate for many years. During this period, several important and useful projects have been implemented in the municipality.

Civil forums (in frames of the project “Strengthening the capacity of regional and local administrations in processes of localization of the National Action Plan of Resolution 1325 of UN Security Council and activation of dialogue and the participation of women, including the most marginalized ones, in these processes”) were held in municipalities of Zugdidi, Tsalenjikha and Tskaltubo. During the forum there were created the working groups of ten people. Mainly for these groups that the Fund “Sukhumi” conducted a training session in Sairme on: “National Action Plan of Resolution 1325 of UN Security Council at the level of local municipalities”.

During the training, participants developed their own vision about the importance of localization of Resolution 1325, the tasks and necessary measures by which social protection and economic strengthening of women and IDP girls and other groups affected by the conflict will be realized in their municipalities, as well as the most important – their direct inclusion in the process of localization of the issues related to women, peace and security.

A “road map” was made for each municipality. Activities were identified with the inclusion of self-government, other local groups. According to the participants of the training, the planned work will contribute to enhancing the human security of women and IDPs girls, affected by the conflict, as well as implementation of their rights.

The project is implemented by Coalition Unity - the Association of IDP Women “Consent” (Tbilisi), the Women's Information Center (Tbilisi) and Cultural - Humanitarian Fund “Sukhumi” (Kutaisi).

- Definition of post-traumatic stress syndrome. Identification of the victim and following stages. Systematization of data - discussion of these issues were held during the third, final day of training with representatives of the medical sphere in the Fund "Sukhumi".

Through group exercises participants discussed the barriers of the victim identification process. They talked about the expected risks. After their definition, attention was paid to the security plan and victim assistance.

Doctors believe that such trainings should be carried out in all clinics. It will help to inform the medical staff and effectively assist the victim.

The cycle of training was carried out in frames of the project “Strengthening of medical staff to protect the victims of domestic violence”. At the end of the training, the participants were given the guide “The Role of Medical Staff in Violence Prevention”, published in frames of the project.

The project is implemented with the support of the British Embassy Tbilisi 

On December 1-4, in Swedish Research Center of Istanbul, there was held a training of trainers of the Fund “Sukhumi” on early warning of conflicts using the GREWS system. The training was financed by the Swedish women organization Kvinna Till Kvinna.

How to attract volunteers to participate in the system of early warning and early response to conflicts, the development of a long-term strategy of GREWS, related to the theory of change - these and many other issues were discussed during the four - day work at the training.

The group visited a Syrian non-governmental organization working in Istanbul for early warning of conflict, as well as the Consul General of Sweden in Turkey, who listened to information about our activities and shared her experience of working with Turkish women.

Four fruitful, informative days were spent in intense, but useful work.

The training on the topic “Violence against women, domestic violence and legal response mechanisms” was conducted in the meeting room of Samtredia municipality local self-government. Participants of the training were staff members of Samtredia Municipality department of the MIA.

The training was organized by Anti Violence Network of Georgia (AVNG) and a representative of the regional committee of Imereti region of the AVNG - Fund “Sukhumi”.

The training was interesting – participants shared information and discussed topical issues.

The training on the topic “Violence against women, domestic violence and legal response mechanisms” was organized by Anti Violence Network of Georgia (AVNG) and Fund “Sukhumi” on December 1, in the office of Fund “Sukhumi”. 

Participants of the training discussed issues of violence, gave many examples and shared their experiences.

Fund "Sukhumi" is a representative of the regional committee of Imereti region of the AVNG and is actively involved in prevention of violence.

The project is implemented with support of the National Network of Protection from Violence

Doctors from different clinics of Kutaisi and the students of medical faculty gathered in the Fund "Sukhumi" for the second training. Work continued on the topic:“The role of medical staff in violence prevention”.

This time the psychologist and the doctor worked with the participants. The following questions were discussed: the theory of the cycle of violence, the phases and stages of cohabitation of victim and rapist, psycho-social portraits of victim and rapist, the first visit of the patient and identification of the victim from the side of the doctor. Specific signs: visible damage of the body and invisible signs.

The cycle of trainings is carried out in frames of the project “Strengthening of medical staff for the protection of violence victims”.

Soon the participants will meet at the third, final training and discuss practical issues.

The project is implemented with the support of the British Embassy Tbilisi 

It was the first time when so many doctors gathered in the Fund “Sukhumi” - doctors from different clinics of Kutaisi and students of the medical faculty took part in the training on the topic: “The role of medical staff in violence prevention”.

The first training was devoted to gender problems in the social and legal context. The actual  issues were discussed: scales of violence against women, anatomy of gender violence, law and mechanisms for its implementation, referral subjects.

The cycle of trainings is carried out in frames of the project “Strengthening of medical staff for the protection of victims of domestic violence”.

Participants will gather at the second training in the next week.

The project is implemented with the support of the British Embassy Tbilisi  in Georgia