UN Women hosted a two-day workshop on “Monitoring Human Security – a Gender Sensitive Monitoring Tool”.
The workshop is designed for the representatives of the Public Defender’s Office of Georgia (PDO) and the representatives of civil society organizations. The seminar is facilitated by an international expert Zara Jarvinen, who is the author of the tailor-made methodological tool - “Manual on Gender Sensitive Monitoring on Human Security” designed specifically for the use of the PDO and CSOs. This workshop aims to build the capacity of the representatives of the PDO and the CSOs to assess, monitor, analyze and report on human security of the conflict-affected and internally displaced population from a gender perspective, including through a joint and cooperative manner.
Ekaterine Gamakharia, head of the Women Fund "Sukhumi" Tbilisi representative office, participated in the seminar.
"Strengthening cooperation and coordination between municipalities and state agencies is crucial for an effective fight against violence against women.
Since 2009, the Women's Fund "Sukhumi" has consistently worked towards activating cooperation and coordination between municipalities and the entities involved in the referral mechanism, as well as sectoral state agencies. The conference held in Kutaisi on February 23, which brought together Women Fund “Sukhumi” partners, representatives from 17 municipalities in Western Georgia, and the central government, marked another significant step in strengthening this process.
"We are working together to create a non-violent and safe environment in our country," said Ekaterine Gamakharia, the head of the Tbilisi representative office of the Fund "Sukhumi."
With the support of the United Nations Development Program and the Government of Sweden, in cooperation with the Gender Equality Council of the Parliament of Georgia, a political forum for women members of the City Council was held in Tbilisi. The event was attended by over 150 delegates. Women councilors from all municipalities of Georgia actively participated in the forum. Special attention was given to enhancing the political participation of women in the lead-up to parliamentary and local demonstrations.
Linda Chikhladze, representative of the Women’s Fund "Sukhumi", attended the forum.
We are pleased to present the Women Fund “Sukhumi” Rapid Assessment Report: “Municipal Interagency Commissions on Gender Equality, Violence Against Women, and Domestic Violence: Best Practices and Current Challenges”. The document aims to evaluate the relevance of establishing inter-agency commissions to improve collaboration and coordination between state agencies in tackling the issues related to violence against women and domestic violence. It additionally aims to assess the institutional capacities of existing commissions, their accomplishments, and the challenges they encounter.
Based on the research data, it is evident that interagency commissions have a crucial role in coordinating mechanisms for the prevention of violence against women and domestic violence. This is demonstrated by the actions of interagency commissions that have already been formed in several target municipalities. The commissions facilitate more effective local referral procedures, communication, and coordination among stakeholders involved in managing incidents of violence.
However, the analysis of challenges revealed that to establish meaningful changes, it is important to formalize the inter-agency commission further. This requires developing an articulated strategy and leveraging and implementing examples of good practices, both local and international. Additionally, raising awareness among municipality representatives and the general population, ensuring proper delineation of responsibilities with the Gender Equality Council, and encouraging involvement from representatives of diverse agencies in commission activities are essential.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
During the meeting of Kutaisi working group, the problems of the target communities were identified and prioritized.
The meeting was attended by IDP women and girls living in different communities of Kutaisi. They noted acute problems: damaged roofs or facades, lack of balconies, damp walls, internal roads... Particular attention was paid to the fact that there is no mini-stadium in the settlement, and there are no garbage bins.
In the framework of the project, and with the help of the Women Fund “Sukhumi”, will meet with decision-makers in order to advocate for the identified problems.
The project is implemented with the support of USAID local governance program
“Women’s leadership, forms of communication, mechanisms of civil inclusion” - a training on this topic for IDP women and girls living in different communities of Kutaisi was held at the office of the Women Fund “Sukhumi”.
Lack of information, migration, passivity, irresponsibility, lack of time, indifference – participants noted that this is a short list of factors, that hinders civic engagement at the local level.
During the training, the participants talked about how to improve leadership skills, the quality of communication and motivation in order to increase the participation of citizens in the formation of local policies.
From the feedbacks of participants:
“It was a very interesting training.”
“A leader can’t do anything without a team, and vice versa, so everyone needs to use their abilities to do the general work”.
“I received the necessary information and became familiar with the forms of citizen participation”.
“I often use the gained knowledge”.
The project is implemented with the support of USAID local governance program
The meeting participants - women and girls living in Kutaisi, in various IDP settlements - spoke about the priority problems and tasks that they have accumulated in their communities over the years. The list of main issues included infrastructure problems: faulty drainage system, water in basements, damaged condition of facades and roofs, etc. Access to health services (for reproductive, oncologic needs and people with disabilities) was also emphasized. Young people noted that there are no sports grounds and squares in many places.
The meeting participants decided that they would attend meetings of the City Council and actively participate in the local decision-making process in order to contribute to solving identified problems in IDP communities.
The project is implemented with the support of USAID local governance program
The monitoring group held an information meeting in the village Pakhulani (Tsalenjikha municipality).
The meeting participants were informed about the mechanisms existing in the country, to support and empower the victims of violence, as well as about local government programs.
The lawyer of the Women Fund “Sukhumi” presented to the audience an important document for teachers and medical personnel - on the approval of national referral procedures for identifying, protecting, assisting and rehabilitating victims of gender-based violence and/or domestic violence.
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 meeting in Bagdati municipality with the participation of local referral entities.
The meeting was attended by members of the Gender Equality Council of the City Council, representatives of the City Hall and the police department. The participants talked about the prevention of domestic violence, protection of victims, and social partnership. Particular attention was paid to the problem of violence and effective cooperation with local structures.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
February was active for the psychologist Manana Gotsiridze:
- She conducted a group psychological meeting in Terjola. A conversation about how the victim syndrome manifests itself and how to overcome the victim position was held with 12 women. An individual consultation with the victim of violence was also held.
- From February 12 to 23, another group of victims of violence - two women and six children were placed in Kutaisi Rehabilitation Center. They received comprehensive assistance from a lawyer, psychologist, and social worker. Before leaving, one of them said: “I am incredibly happy that I appeared in such a wonderful place. Every woman should visit this place to understand her situation and understand herself. My eldest daughter was afraid of the psychologist, but she liked it so much that every day she looked forward to interesting, useful conversations.”
- Psychological rehabilitation with the next group was held on Fridays at the day center for working with polymer clay.
- 8 phone calls were received - the psychologist responded to the emotional state of the beneficiaries and helped them.
- 11 individual consultations were conducted across regions online through various platforms.
- 12 individual psychotherapeutic sessions were held in Kutaisi.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)