A meeting  with Kemlin Furley, the representative of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Georgia was held In Kutaisi, at the head office of the Women Fund "Sukhumi". The meeting was also attended by a representative of  the Georgian Red Cross Society Kutaisi branch.

Mrs. Kemlin was informed about the ongoing projects implemented by the Fund "Sukhumi" and the Red Cross for the assistance of Ukrainian refugees. The conversation touched upon the condition of Ukrainians, existing challenges and needs. Particular attention was paid to problems in terms of health and education and their advocacy at the national level.

The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot

 für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)

June 20, the International Day of Refugees and IDPs, is traditionally celebrated by the Women Fund "Sukhumi" with various activities. For the third year already, the event “The Aroma of Sukhumian Coffee in Kutaisi Boulevard” has been held. Ukrainian refugees were present last year and came this time. The women prepared cookies with Ukrainian theme. A Ukrainian girl danced their national dance. This day was impressive and everyone saw the active work of the Fund.

The Women Fund “Sukhumi” has already provided assistance to 539 people who came from Ukraine. In June, 16 new people were added to our database. Our support was expressed in a following way:

- 28 families (44 people) received products

- We paid the rent for 6 families

- We paid utility bills for 6 families

- Medical costs for one Ukrainian woman were reimbursed

- We bought a bus ticket with $220 to Ukraine for Lyubov Maksimenko and she returned to her country.

The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot

 für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)

Psychologist Manana Gotsiridze worked in three directions in June:

- She met 5 beneficiaries of a day rehabilitation center who are learning how to work with polymer clay. She did some work with them to get rid of negative emotions, to reassess priorities and increase self-esteem.

She had daily interaction with the women in the rehabilitation  center. Intensive work was carried out with traumas using various methods: art therapy, elements of cognitive-correctional psychology, psychological exercises and associative cards.

- 12 individual psychotherapy sessions were held online and 15 sessions with women living in Kutaisi. Three of them were new, and with the others, the previously started work continued.

35-year-old Khatuna passed psycho-rehabilitation for more than 6 months. After the death of her husband, she did not want to live, even her daughter irritated her, nothing pleased her, she did not believe that after the sessions of the psychologist there would be any positive changes. But working with different methods gave results: fear and irritation gradually disappeared, new priorities, new goals appeared. She thanks the psychologist for her humanity and professionalism, patience and invaluable assistance.

The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot

 für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)

“It is very important that the information on women's rights disseminated by the Fund “Sukhumi” reaches every village, because women in the periphery need information on such issues most”.

“Strengthening of women's rights must start with information. When I know the information, I can better protect my rights”.

“The more strong women we have, the fewer conflicts and cases of domestic violence will be".

- These opinions were recorded at informational meetings held with women. Participants emphasize that one of the important mechanisms for empowering women is to equip them with the necessary information.

The meetings were held in the Women Support Centers of Senaki, Chokhatauri, Vani, Terjola and Khobi.

The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot

 für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)

 The members of both women initiative groups of Khoni selected current problems and worked on drawing up an advocacy plan. The members of the group defined concrete advocacy activities and responsible persons. The members of Khoni Youth Club are actively working within the framework of mini-project. Through the forum theater method, they talk to the audience about the cruelty of violence and its harmful consequences.

The members of Kutaisi women initiative group selected actual problems from the research and worked on drawing up an advocacy plan. The members of the group defined specific advocacy activities and responsible persons. Members of the youth club actively work within the framework of mini project. With the help of the forum theater method, they tell the audience about violence. During the meeting, the students expressed the emotions that they received during the performance and feedback.

The women initiative group of the village Pakhulani - Tsalenjikha municipality worked on advocacy of the problems identified within the framework of the research "Assessment of the quality of human security and gender needs of the population". According to the current problems, an advocacy plan was prepared, specific activities were scheduled.

On May 25-27, leaders of women initiative groups gathered in Istanbul. Training on "Evidence-based Advocacy" was held for them. Women from different regions and communities were involved in the work process. They practically participate in the advocacy of various problems, that's why the training was especially interesting for them. The participants reviewed the tree of problems, improved their knowledge about goals, tasks, formulation of expected results, types of advocacy and related issues. They selected priority issues from the problems in their community and worked in groups. They independently drew up a sample advocacy plan and showed presentations. During the training, the leaders of the initiative groups acquired new knowledge, skills, experience, got to know each other better and drafted plans for future.

Members of Senaki women initiative group heard information about the mixed (Georgian, Ossetian and Abkhazian) meeting held in Istanbul. They discussed the importance of face-to-face meetings and the possibility of exchanging information. In the second part of the meeting, the participants analyzed the problems identified as a result of the research and worked on an advocacy plan. Against the background of an interesting discussion, the meeting with the youth group continued. The participants talked about the progress of the mini-project, the obtained results and the emotions that accompanied the performances of the forum theater.

Within the framework of the project "Bridging the Gaps -People to - People Initiatives for Conflict Resolution", a training was held with the members of the women initiative group of the village Koki - Zugdidi municipality. The topic of training was "Evidence-based advocacy". The women discussed the factors hindering the proper implementation of the advocacy process at the local level, identified problems, defined target groups and stakeholders; Draft of the advocacy plan was developed. The youth club of the village Koki held a forum-theatre performance on the topic of media literacy within the framework of the project "Verify information". The project is supported by USAID. In the modern era, it is very important for young people to believe that they can change the reality around them. Forum-theatre is aimed at proving this belief.