The coalition – Unity, the Association of IDP Women “Consent” (Tbilisi), the Women's Information Center (Tbilisi) and Cultural - Humanitarian Fund “Sukhumi” (Kutaisi) began working on the project “Strengthening the capacity of regional and local administrations in processes of localization of the National Action Plan 1325 The UN Security Council and activation of dialogue and the participation of women, including the most marginalized ones, in these processes””(with the support of UN Women Organization).

The goal of the project is to popularize the National Action Plan for 2018–20 at local level, to promote gender equality, strengthen women, prevent conflicts and establish peace, and reflect the needs of different groups.

Ion frames of the project, civil forums, trainings, informational meetings, conferences are planned - these activities will contribute to enhancing the dialogue at the local level and the inclusion of different groups of society in this process.

In October, three working meetings were held in target municipalities of Western Georgia: Zugdidi, Tsalenjikha, Tskaltubo.

The project is supported by US State Department and UN Women Organization

In frames of monitoring, the “Law of Georgia on Elimination of Domestic Violence / violence Against Women, Protection Assistance to the victim”, two focus groups were held in October with teachers from Terjola and Tskaltubo municipalities, an in-depth interview with the head of Lanchkhuti resource center. Information was also requested from the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport about the work in this direction.

The aim of monitoring was to determine the level of involvement of the ministry in the implementation of the law. Number of recommendations were recorded at the meetings. The dynamics show that, in comparison with the previous years, the ministry is much more actively involved in identifying the facts.

The project of the fund “Sukhumi”- "Strengthening of medical staff to protect the victims of domestic violence" serves to the inclusion of the medical staff in the process of violence prevention, which began in September.

In frames of the project, informational meetings were held in medical institutions. The health staff welcomed new information and expressed their willingness to be included in the work.

At this stage, materials are prepared for the guide and training module, also active preparation for the training of medical staff is carried out.

Representatives of the Fund "Sukhumi" met the deputy directors of the Clinic named after Leri Khonelidze and the clinic “Bomondi” and familiarized them with the project "Strengthening medical staff to protect victims of domestic violence." These clinics are going to be actively involved in the training program of the Fund “Sukhumi” in order to inform the medical staff on the issues of prevention of domestic violence, identification of violence victims and their assistance.

In frames of the project "Strengthening of medical staff to protect victims of domestic violence", representatives of the Fund “Sukhumi” met Shota Maruashvili, director of the medical clinic "Unical Medi", and acquainted him with the project.

- How high the rate of appeal, how is the violence victim identified and the appropriate response done from the side of medical staff - the conversation took place on these issues.

The director of the clinic expressed readiness, to cooperate actively with the Fund "Sukhumi" and to join the training program in order to inform the medical staff on the issues of preventing domestic violence.

In September the monitoring group of the Fund "Sukhumi" decided to study the rehabilitation of the rapist. In order to collect qualitative information, two in-depth interviews were held in Kutaisi - with the beneficiary of the program: "Management of Violent Behavior" and an officer of the Probation Agency. Focus - groups were held in Poti and Tskaltubo with participation of lawyers, representatives of Social Services, probation agency and society. During the meetings challenges, existing in this direction were identified, the program's effectiveness was emphasized. It was unanimously agreed that it is necessary to work with the families of the risk group and especially to initiate programs that includes working with couples.

Representatives of the Fund "Sukhumi" held an information meeting at the medical center for IDPs "Pitsunda". They talked about the project "Strengthening of medical staff to protect victims of domestic violence", which provides training for the medical personnel for better identification of victims of domestic violence and for their assistance. The staff of the Center will join the work with interest, as they consider it a good opportunity to gain experience.

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

A memorandum of cooperation and implementation of the joint project was signed on September 12 between Senaki Gender Equality Council and the Fund "Sukhumi".

The sides came to agreement on following issues: the Gender Equality Council and the Fund “Sukhumi” will implement a joint project "Cooperation with Local Self-Government - for Gender Equality and Prevention of Domestic Violence".

It is planned to conduct 4 trainings in frames of the project: for the members of the Gender Equality Council, heads of the City Hall services and decision makers, as well as with representatives of the Mayor in the villages and majoritarian candidates of communities. The theme of the training is gender, gender violence and the role of local government as one of the subjects of referral mechanisms.

It is also planned to conduct a survey in 14 communities of Senaki Municipality with the aim of analyzing the situation regarding violence against women.

In frames of the project "Strengthening of medical staff to protect victims of domestic violence", information meetings with the staff of medical sphere started. The first meeting was held in Kutaisi regional service of the Center for Coordination of Emergency situations and urgent assistance. Doctors of so-called "emergency" believe that the work is very important in terms of protecting the victim of domestic violence. They are motivated to take part in the training, get the necessary information, share the experience with colleagues to effectively respond to cases of violence and assistance to the victim.

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

The staff of medical sphere have a special role in prevention of domestic violence. With this reason the Fund "Sukhumi" decided to work with them.

In September, the seven-month project "Strengthening of medical staff to protect the victims of domestic violence" began. The project will be implemented in Kutaisi. In frames of this project a training for medical personnel, meeting with the subjects of referral mechanisms will be held. A guidebook for medical staff will be prepared and published, which, along with many relevant and necessary information, will also contain contact information, whom to address in case of violence.

On September 10, a working meeting was held in fund “Sukhumi”. Participants discussed issues related to the implementation of the project, a plan for carrying out activities.

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