Another training course of gaining a new profession is being held at the Women Fund “Sukhumi”.

During two months (February-March) the beneficiaries of the Day Center will be trained in nail art, gel polish and nail extension.

The women chose this training module according to their will. This is a desirable profession that helps for starting an independent life, for self-realization, for achieving success.

The program is implemented within the framework of the project “Strengthening the Women's Rights in Western Georgia”.

The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot

 für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)

The Forum Theater held performances in the central parks of Kutaisi. There were six scenes on different topics, followed by interesting discussions from the people. Unfortunately they didn't want to be photographed and we can't secretly shoot them. But the public actively joined the discussion. They talked about the fact that the facts of femicide, family conflicts, tragic cases have become more frequent and society should more clearly express its position against domestic violence.

The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot

 für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)

The Department of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) organized an information meeting with the participation of local governmental and non-governmental organizations. Together with many other issues, the meeting discussed the services offered to Ukrainians and their rights.

Since April 2022, the Women Fund "Sukhumi" is actively working to provide humanitarian assistance and other necessary services to Ukrainian refugees in Western Georgia.

The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot

 für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)

The guests heard information about the activities of the Fund and got acquainted with the main activities carried out within the framework of the project through a presentation. They also discussed the results of the activities planned in Abkhazia and Ossetia and the current challenges. In the second part of the meeting, the young actors of the Fund “Sukhumi” forum-theater presented the performances on various topics. On the same day, the guests visited the partner organization. The representatives of "Peaceful and Business Caucasus" talked about the importance of the project implemented with the support of USAID.

Information meetings were held with the members of Khoni women initiative group. The participants received information about the International Women's Solidarity Day. They talked about challenges and once again voiced the message - peace, calmness and health. During the meeting, the problems and gaps, revealed during the qualitative research were also mentioned. Khoni youth club is also active. An interesting performance of the forum theater was staged in the youth club of Khoni public school No 3, in the creation of which the whole group actively participated. Current, important and acute problems observed by the young people were transformed into scenarios by the participants.

At the meeting held in March, the members of Tskaltubo women initiative group talked about the topic of women solidarity and its importance. “Solidarity is important in any issue, it is strength, support, empathy that determines success” - this was the mood of the participants. Most of their wishes are related to peace, the well-being of their families and loved ones and to the creation of a better environment. Women leaders who changed the environment, what is solidarity and why do we need it - the members of Tskaltubo youth group discussed these issues in Tskaltubo public schools No 4 and No 1. Exercises were performed and a discussion was held during the meeting.

During the meeting held on March 1,the members of Kutaisi women initiative group received information about the International Women's Solidarity Day. They discussed why women's solidarity is necessary, and also saw a short film about women leaders. At the end of the meeting, the problems and shortcomings identified during the qualitative research were discussed. On March 20, during another meeting held with the members of Kutaisi Youth Club, participants worked on the topic of the Forum Theater - bullying. They drew up a scenario according to which the forum theater performance was staged.

 Information meetings were held in Tsalenjikha municipality. The members of Pakhulani women's initiative group spoke about the International Women's Solidarity Day. They reviewed the challenges women face today. During the meeting, they expressed the hope that all people will have peace and health, and they also talked about the problems and gaps identified during the qualitative research.

What do women want, what do they dream of, what are their goals, what does women solidarity mean - the members of Senaki women initiative group discussed these issues during March meeting. The women once again voiced their messages - "Peace and harmony in the family and in the country is the first priority for us!" we want our young people to have the opportunity to find themselves! We want to have less migration of women and less children growing up without mothers! "Bullying among young people, the perception and unacceptability of the different people and opinions, the stress of alienation - with the scenario based on this case, the members of Senaki youth group voiced their opinion in a forum-theatre format. Young people clearly presented this actual problem.

The work of the forum-theater continues in the youth group of the village Koki - Zugdidi municipality. The young people wrote a scenario on the topic of bullying. This is their first independent work in forum theater direction. As for the women's initiative group, this time they talked about women's solidarity and its importance, as well as peace and prosperity.

At the meeting, the participants were also informed about the practical guide/toolkit: "Preventing and responding to gender-based violence in war and post-war settings - experiences and recommendations of women's NGOs", which was developed by the WAVE Network in collaboration with its four WAVE members in 2022 by the support of the OSCE. The Toolkit describes best practices and the strategies employed by the women's NGOs to prevent and respond to gender-based violence in different phases of conflict.

 Strategies during Wartime and emergency response settings were shared by Ukrainian and Armenian partners Sexual Assault Crisis Center (Yerevan, Armenia), Centre “Women’s Perspectives” (Lviv, Ukraine);

 Strategies during Protracted conflict were described by the Women's Foundation "Sukhumi" (Kutaisi, Tbilisi, Georgia);

 Strategies during Post-war and long-term perspective were based on the experience of the Bosnia-Herzegovina partner. Foundation United Women Banja Luka (Banja Luka, Bosnia & Herzegovina)

(A practical guide is available here https://www.osce.org/secretariat/530695)