Gender, gender-based violence, identification of violence, communication with a child and referral stages, legal mechanisms and international documents, the role of teachers in violence prevention - these issues were discussed at a training held for teachers in Kutaisi, in the office of the Women Fund “Sukhumi”.

Participants represented 6 municipalities (Chokhatauri, Vani, Khoni, Zugdidi, Tskaltubo and Bagdati). They actively participated in the work process, discussions and shared their experiences with each other.

It was noted that the training participants will introduce gender approaches into their schools and will contribute to the destruction of stereotypes and the prevention of violence.

The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot

 für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)

October was especially busy in Women Support Centers. The meeting participants highlighted specific cases and spoke about the combined reasons of violence. Almost all groups highlighted the negative consequences of early marriage, which is an echo of the tragedy that happened in Sagarejo. Participants emphasized the need for education and informing.

“It is necessary to raise awareness, we need to work more on stereotypes,” the participants believe and talk about holding an information campaign.

As a result of the work of mobilizers, five new cases were identified in October. Beneficiaries will use all services of the und “Sukhumi”.

The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot

 für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)

New youth groups started working in October. The trainings were held in Youth Empowerment Centers of Khobi, Terjola, Samtredia, Senaki and Vani municipalities.

During first meetings, the participants got acquainted with each other and discussed interesting topics. They actively participated in training process, talked about their initiatives and activities that they would implement in frames of the course. Several teachers and parents attended the meetings.

The trainers hope that six months of working with the new groups will be as fruitful as the previous ones.

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 in Kobuleti municipality with the participation of representatives of local referral entities (organized by the gender council of the municipality).

Participants talked about prevention of violence and protection of violence victims, discussed the current situation regarding domestic violence and issues of social cooperation.

The main emphasis was placed on partnership of local structures to solve the problem of domestic violence.

The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot

 für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)

An active rehearsal process has started in Forum Theater. The group is waiting for changes. Casting was announced, interviews are underway, and we are expecting a new group of young actors. Similar changes often happen in Forum Theater as group members leave after finishing school.

In September, two performances were held in the central parks of Kutaisi, the season of good weather is already ending, and the Forum Theater maximally used this space. Playing outdoors is a great experience for actors.

The discussions during the performances were interesting and open, but the fact is that the audience does not want to be photographed.

The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot

 für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)

Our beneficiaries will create fabulously beautiful accessories from colored beads and floss.

Another new training course started in Terjola Women Support Center. The office for training course has not changed. The work is actively supported by the City Hall and City Council of the municipality.

The teacher of the new group is Mery Kupatadze. Her work is liked by consumers and is marked with the production mark “From Mery”.

A new stage of women success started in Terjola.

The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot

 für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)

The new social clip from the Women's Fund "Sukhumi" reflects the essential strategies and actions determining the effectiveness of preventing domestic violence against women. It represents the main direction of our organization's work.

The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot

 für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)

The National Association of Local Authorities of Georgia (NALA), with the support of the United Nations Women's Organization and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, organized a national conference titled "Gender Equality Agenda at the Local Level: Main Challenges and Action Steps." Heads of municipalities, representatives from legislative and executive authorities, as well as international and local civil society organizations, participated in the high-level conference.

The representative of the Women's Fund "Sukhumi," Ekaterine Gamakharia, attended the conference. During the discussion, she emphasized the necessity to enhance the role of children's rights protection departments and mayors' representatives in villages. There is a need to strengthen the link between these entities to better inform women, introduce local policies tailored to their needs, and address issues of women at the local level. Additionally, she highlighted the importance of implementing effective mechanisms for the prevention and protection of domestic violence.

It is noteworthy that at the conclusion of the conference, with NALA's advocacy, five additional Georgian municipalities signed the European Charter on the Equality of Women and Men in Local Life. This brings the total to 26 self-governing units that have joined the charter thus far. This time, the self-governing units of Zugdidi, Zestaponi, Chokhatauri, Samtredia, and Baghdati joined the document, thereby affirming their willingness and support for the principles of gender equality in their municipalities.

In September, online meetings of women’s mutual support groups were held in 4 municipalities (Terjola, Vani, Kobuleti, Chokhatauri). Participants were familiarized with the guide "Prevention and response to gender-based violence in war and post-war conditions - experience and recommendations of women’s NGOs" (published by the WAVE European Women's Network).

Members of mutual support groups listened to the stories about how women's organizations work in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ukraine, Armenia, and Georgia. They especially liked the recognition of the successful experience of the Women Fund “Sukhumi”, reflected in the guide.

The project is implemented with the support of the Urgent Action Fund for Women's Human Rights

During a meeting, held in Khobi municipality, the participants were interested in the activities of women's organizations during the war and post-war period. They expressed particular interest towards the experience of the Women Fund “Sukhumi”. It was noted that this is international recognition of the organization and a fact that one can be proud of.

The information meeting in Khobi was attended by kindergarten teachers and parents of the kids. Participants familiarized themselves with the guide "Prevention and response to gender-based violence in war and post-war conditions - experience and recommendations of women’s NGOs" - prepared by the European women network WAVE.

The project is implemented with the support of the Urgent Action Fund

for Women's Human Rights