Women's networks organized in 5 municipalities of Western Georgia (Kutaisi, Tskaltubo, Khoni, Senaki, Zugdidi) chose topical issues and started the advocacy process on “one window principle”.
This is told by the women participating in the project and representatives of local government who participated in the meeting. They emphasize the importance of the dialogue format for problem solution.
The project is implemented with the support
of the UN Women organization
One woman, during the period that she was in the rehabilitation center was filled with positive emotions, realized her place in life, felt peace and freedom. Now she is ready to fight for her better life. The second one says that she has received the necessary knowledge. I realized how important it is to have adequate self-esteem and, most importantly, that I must study and be a worthy mother to my daughter...
All this is the merit of their stay at the Rehabilitation Center of the Women Fund "Sukhumi". In October, the center hosted three women with young children, victims of domestic violence, who had gone through suffering and trauma.
They underwent intensive rehabilitation work - a social worker, a lawyer and a psychologist were actively involved.
The results of the work are visible in their comments.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
What was October like for the psychologists of the Women Fund "Sukhumi", who work with Ukrainian refugees?
We asked them to briefly describe their work.
Marina Stepanenko: “In October, the number of people who addressed for psychological assisstance increased. Basically, these are people who face the stress of separation from the family, loneliness, confusion, a sense of vulnerability. In such situation, it is extremely important to find and get support, also, to find a way to understand and help yourself.”
Manana Gotsiridze: “In October, initial meetings were held with Ukrainian families in Kutaisi. Everyone noted that our organization is the only one that has felt their pain and tragedy, which knows how to empathize and are grateful for free psychological support and first aid humanitarian assistance.”
Anya Shalimova: “Every month I continue to meet new families who have come from Ukraine. A lot of people come from my native Kherson. Often, going to work, I meet Ukrainian families who take their children to school. We greet and exchange smiles. At the given moment, the number of my meetings with Ukrainians includes more than 30 families from different parts of our beautiful Ukraine. I also continue consultative work and offer my services to children and adults. I help to reduce anxiety, improve relations between parents and children, get rid of phobias and panic. My work involves the constant improvement of my knowledge and skills, and that is why I never forget to pay attention to my education and training.
Samtredia municipality is in the process of forming a Department for the Protection of Children's rights and their support. Therefore, representatives of the Children's Departments of Senaki, Lanchkhuti, Khoni, Tskhaltubo and Bagdati municipalities were invited to the information meeting in Samtredia. The meeting was attended by the First Deputy Mayor of Samtredia Municipality Vladimir Zakradze, Deputy Chairman of the City Council Natia Papava, representatives of the administrative units and public officials.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
Group and individual psychological meetings were held in the Women Support Centers of Samtredia, Kobuleti, Tsalenjikha and Tkibuli (online). 35 beneficiaries took part in them.
During a month, the psychologist conducted online individual consultations in the regions and psycho-therapeutic work in Kutaisi office.
There were also group meetings on Fridays with the beneficiaries of the Day Center of the Women Fund "Sukhumi" - with women who learn how to work with polymer clay. Sessions were held with them to overcome fears, stress, traumas and raise self-esteem.
One of the beneficiaries of the Day Center said: “Everything that happened this month is special for me – I was filled with love for myself and others, I manage to do beautiful things”.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
Five meetings with a lawyer were held at the Women Support Centers in October. An individual meeting was held in Kobuleti, an online group meeting in Tkibuli. In Bagdati, Pakhulani (Tsalenjikha municipality) and in Samtredia - group meetings were held in a youth center, in a kindergarten and in an outpatient clinic.
The group meetings were attended by both school representatives and kindergarten teachers, upper graders and representatives of the civil society.
Representatives of the Women Fund "Sukhumi" made a presentation of the site - "Digital Resource Center of the Services for Violence Victims" One victim of violence was given a mobile phone with SAFE YOU applications and an SOS button.
Concrete work was carried out at the Rehabilitation Center of the Fund "Sukhumi" together with a psychologist and a social worker.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
In October, the Forum Theater held two meetings with the audience according to the - in the Children's Village and in the Kutaisi Park. The interesting performances in the Children's Village were followed by an active discussion and most importantly, the involvement of adults.
The performance in the park surprised passers-by. The scene of the beggar was particularly impressive for them.
Forum-theatre performances and a fact that we can all work together to prevent violence have a certain impact on people.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
The Interagency Human Rights Council held another work meeting. It was hosted by Niko Tatulashvili, the Prime Minister's Advisor on Human Rights and Gender Equality. Tbilisi representative office of Women's Fund "Sukhumi" took part at the meeting along with representatives of other locan and international CSOs.
It was noted at the meeting that on October 25 by the resolution of the Government of Georgia, the 2022-2024 Georgian National Action Plan for the Implementation of the UN Security Council Resolutions on Women, Peace and Security and the 2022-2024 Action Plan for Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence and Protecting Victims were approved. One of the main issues of the commission session was the promotion and monitoring of the implementation of the mentioned governmental action plans.
Tskaltubo women initiative group discussed the results of the research conducted in the IDP settlements during the ordinary meeting.
The problems that are particularly relevant for IDPs and solution of which is particularly important for them have been identified.
A women's group was selected, which will advocate the identified problem. Local self-government will be actively involved in the process.
The project is implemented with the support
of the UN Women organization
During the meeting of Senaki women initiative group, the participants got acquainted with the results of the research. The research outlined the social profile of the IDP settlements and presented the current issues that cause special discomfort to the population.
Out of the named problems, the participants selected the most urgent problem, which they will try to advocate with the local self-government.
A women's group has already been selected, which will discuss the identified problem with the authorized persons of the city
The project is implemented with the support
of the UN Women organization