More than 30 people, doctors of various fields, psychologist, social worker, lawyer, representatives of local government gathered in the clinic “Terjola Medi”.

The third meeting from the cycle of informational meetings with medical staff was held in Terjola. The topic of the meetings was: “Violence against women / domestic violence - the role of doctors in violence prevention and assistance to the victim”.

The issue of violence against women / domestic violence provoked various reactions, but all participants unanimously acknowledge the urgency of the problem and the fact that the medical staff has the mission of its solution. They note that medical institutions, together with local government and NGO sector, should actively act not only to identify violence, but also to prevent it.

Fund “Sukhumi” together with the Fund of Women Entrepreneurs and the Union of Scientists of Imereti “Spectri” started to work on the project “A common forum for Civil Society Organizations from Guria, Imereti and Racha-Lechkhumi for Public Administration Reform Roadmap monitoring”

In frames of the project, a forum of civil society organizations will be created, that will monitor public administration reform in eight municipalities of Western Georgia. The Fund of Women Entrepreneurs will work in Ambrolauri and Tsageri (Racha-Lechkhumi), “Spectri” - in Ozurgeti and Lanchkhuti (Guria), and the project area for the Fund “Sukhumi” is four municipalities of Imereti: - Khoni, Terjola, Vani and Bagdati.

In October, preparatory work was conducted, introductory meetings were held in all municipalities with members of local civic organizations and initiative groups, with representatives of local self-governments, including the persons, responsible for gender issues.

At the meetings, it was highlighted that all kinds of support will be provided on the ground during the implementation of the project, as inclusion in such work is very important and responsible.

On October 15, the first official partners’ meeting of the project “A common forum for CSOs from Guria, Imereti and Racha-Lechkhumi for PAR Roadmap monitoring” was held.

Fund "Sukhumi" - a leading organization together with partners - the Union of Scientists of Imereti "Spectri" and the Fund of Women Entrepreneurs discussed the annual schedule for the implementation of the project and signed cooperation agreements.

The project provides empowerment of civil society organizations in 8 municipalities of Western Georgia (Khoni, Bagdati, Terjola, Vani, Ambrolauri, Tsageri, Ozurgeti, Lanchkhuti), which will be combined into a common forum and involved in monitoring implementation of Public Administration Reform (PAR) in 8 target munici

The project is implemented with the support the European Union - #EU4Georgia

An informational meeting with medical staff on the topic “Violence against women / domestic violence - the role of doctors in violence prevention and assistance to the victim” was held in the conference of Vani Sakrebulo. The meeting was attended by, family doctors, emergency doctors, medical staff working in the clinic and in small rural clinics and the members of Gender Equality Council.

There was a conversation about the law on violence against women / domestic violence, assistance to the victim, referral mechanism and specifically the role of medical staff in identifying and assistance to the victim of violence. There was also a presentation of two publications prepared for the medical staff. The participants expressed their

The conference on the topic: "Teaching peace in schools is the key to a better future" was held in Kutaisi, in one of the halls of the cinema “Sakartvelo”. The Conference was attended by the heads of educational resource centers of 9 municipalities of Western Georgia and directors of those schools in which the Fund “Sukhumi” operates on issues of conflict management. The urgency of the problem and the importance of the impact of workshops on students were noted. Participants developed a “Strategy of working on topics of conflict and peace in schools.”

An information meeting was held at the Center for Democratic Engagement in Kutaisi. The participants got acquainted with the results of a research of the Fund “Sukhumi”: what is the impact of Presidential elections in de facto Abkhazia on Georgian population, how high are the risks of conflicts in society. The participants spoke about the need to introduce Gender Responsive Early Warning System (GREWS).

Risks of conflict development and its impact on women using a gender-oriented system of early warning of conflicts - these issues were discussed at a meeting in Zugdidi  Association “Imedi”.

Such meeting took place near the conflict dividing line - in the village Khurcha (Zugdidi municipality).

Participants of the meetings listened to information about a survey conducted by the Fund “Sukhumi”, which reflects the attitude of the Georgian population towards the de facto elections in Abkhazia.

The field monitor of the Fund “Sukhumi” held an informational meetings in the village Koki (Zugdidi municipality), which was attended by the residents of the village near the conflict dividing line. The participants got acquainted with the results of a study conducted by the Fund “Sukhumi”. They talked about the conflict early warning system and its significance.

A similar meeting was held in the village Pakhulani (Tsalenjikha municipality). Minimizing the risks of conflict development envisaging gender aspects - participants emphasized these issues.

On September 5, the field monitors of the Fund “Sukhumi” held informational meetings with the population in Kutaisi and Tskaltubo. Participants were provided with information obtained as a result of the research: what is the impact of the presidential election in Abkhazia on the population, how high are the risks of conflict. The participants spoke about the need to introduce the system of GREWs in practice.

The focus groups and in-depth interviews in Bagdati, Zugdidi and Vani municipalities, gathered information on the following issues: the role of local self-government in violence prevention and victims assistance, the effectiveness of the work of gender council, cooperation and coordination with referral subjects. Participants of monitoring spoke about achievements and challenges.

The meetings were held as part of the monitoring of the “Law of Georgia on the Elimination of Domestic Violence/Violence Against Women, Protection and Assistance to the Victims”.