Two years ago Women against Violence Europe (WAVE) published a guide, "Prevention and response to gender-based violence in war and post-war conditions - experience and recommendations of women’s NGOs". (See the following): https://www.fsokhumi.ge/index.php/en/publications/gender-mainstreaming/item/13406-experiences-of-woman-s-ngos).

The publication is still relevant today, as it presents best practices, and one of the organizations is the Women Fund "Sukhumi". Our organization organized information meetings in municipalities in frames of the project "Organization of campaigns in society and social networks to form the importance of the CSOs work". The meeting was also held in Terjola, where the Fund “Sukhumi” has been working for many years.

The meeting participants were interested in learning about the successful experience of women's organizations, including the Fund “Sukhumi”, and noted that the organization is doing very important work for women and their families.

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

Khoni Women's Network implements two civil initiatives. The first initiative will solve the problem of 40 families living in house No. 10 of the IDP settlement, related to flooding of basements during rain.

The implementation of the second initiative will solve the problem of heavy rainfall for 40 families living in house No. 15.

It is difficult for residents of both houses to get out of the entrances during rain - the entrances are flooded, water flows into the basements.

The members of the women's network consulted with specialists. Their recommendation is to make a barrier for water from the side of the pedestrian path.

The members of the women's network have already purchased the necessary materials and equipment, and are now planning specific work.

The project is implemented with the support

 of the UN Women organization

Within the framework of civil initiatives, the first stage – the procurement process has been completed!

Members of Kutaisi Women’s Network represent four settlements of the municipality.

IDPs living in the former music boarding school (58 Chavchavadze Street) purchased a lawn mower, an electric sprayer and a water pipe.

Residents of the cottage No 2 on Guram Gabeskiria Street also decided to buy a lawn mower and a water pipe, a pruner, a saw on batteries and other items.

In the third IDP settlement (21Sergo Zakariadze St), the initiative group purchased the necessary materials (cement, mesh, electrode, paints...) to install the gates and equip the entrance.

The group created in the fourth community (3 Leselidze St.) decided to solve the problem of the flooded basement – they purchased: a water pump, electric cable, oil, etc.

The implementation of civil initiatives will contribute to the safety of residents of four IDP communities.

The project is implemented with the support

 of the UN Women organization

Members of Senaki women's network purchased six water pumps as part of the "support for civil initiatives". The pumps will serve 12 buildings and will make it easier for residents to pump water out of basements, if necessary.

As part of the second initiative, members of the group purchased five mowers. Their use will reduce the threat posed by weeds.

Women leaders, activists, and community residents were actively involved in the implementation of civil initiatives.

The project is implemented with the support

 of the UN Women organization

Women support centers actively work in different communities to ensure that there are as many informed women in society as possible. Awareness of victim support services contributes to the empowerment of women and the prevention of domestic violence.

Along with identifying problems and assisting victims, mobilizers are actively working to study the needs of women in order to continue the process of advocacy for existing problems.

In September, more than 150 women were informed in all ten centers (Khoni, Tskaltubo, Terjola, Vani, Samtredia, Zugdidi, Khobi, Senaki, Tsalenjikha, Chokhatauri), and eight people used the services of the rehabilitation center.

The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot

 für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)

The monitoring group of the Women Fund "Sukhumi" continued the cycle of information meetings with vulnerable groups of the population. The meetings were held in Khoni and Tsalenjikha municipalities.

The participants of the meeting were familiarized with the mechanisms of assistance to the victims of violence existing in the country.

It was important for them to learn about the programs available at the municipal and central levels, especially about the family empowerment program, as well as about the services for victims of violence offered by non-governmental organizations.

The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot

 für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)

Training with mobilizers of Women Support Centers was held in Kutaisi, in the office of the Women Fund "Sukhumi". The format of the work included the development of a strategy for the work of the centers.

- Supporting women, monitoring cases of domestic violence, identifying problems and advocacy - the participants discussed what innovations can be introduced, how to increase productivity in this area so that as many women as possible can use existing services.

According to the participants, an important innovation in the activities of Women Support Centers will be the support for civil initiatives and advocacy for community problems. The involvement of a psychologist and a lawyer will help prevent violence and increase the effectiveness of victim assistance

The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot

 für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)

The monitoring group of the Women Fund “Sukhumi” works on a new research aimed at studying the effectiveness of existing services for victims of violence against women/domestic violence and developing recommendations to identify strategies and new approaches to improve effectiveness.

Information on existing (and/or planned) services has been collected. In order to find best practices, we studied the work of service providers, studied the attitudes, moods and expectations of service recipients/beneficiaries.

In September, 10 in-depth interviews with beneficiaries were conducted, which allowed us to study the current situation in this regard based on specific cases.

The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot

 für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)

The Women Fund “Sukhumi” successfully implemented the training course "Conflict Management and Violence Prevention" in 10 target municipalities of Western Georgia for 6 months. The project introduced young people to issues of equality, tolerance, peaceful ways of conflict resolution and violence prevention.

The sixth month was devoted to summing up the results. Young leaders demonstrated positive changes through presentations:

- I felt most comfortable in this environment. I listened to them, they listened to me, and my confidence grew;

- I overcame my complexes;

- I advise my peers to get informal education, which will help to increase civic responsibility and achieve success;

- We learned how to make society empathetic regarding the problems of violence and conflicts.

The final events were held in Tsalenjikha, Tskaltubo, Senaki, Samtredia, Vani municipalities, and will be continued in other municipalities.

The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot

 für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)

On June 28, 2024, the representative of the Women’s Fund "Sukhumi" Tbilisi office participated in an international conference organized by the NATO Liaison Office in Georgia. The conference focused on "Strengthening the Participation of Women in Peace and Security Processes." The event was opened by Mr. Alexander Vinikov, Head of the NATO Liaison Office, and Mrs. Marie-Doha Besancenot, NATO Assistant Secretary General for Public Diplomacy (remotely). Discussions covered topics such as "The  Women’s Roles in Building and Sustaining Peace: International Best Practices and Local Experiences” and "Implementation of the National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security: Progress and Challenges in Women’s Participation."

The conference concluded with a roundtable discussion featuring reports from representatives of women’s non-governmental organizations in the South Caucasus, including Ekaterine Gamakharia, Head of the Tbilisi office of the Women’s Fund "Sukhumi." During the discussion, the speakers addressed the current challenges faced by peacebuilders in the South Caucasus and explored strategies to enhance the fulfillment of obligations related to the "Women, Peace, and Security" agenda.