We leave taking warm memories with us, - both adults and children said... All residents of the Rehabilitation Center of the Women Fund "Sukhumi" in January - two women and 6 children - left with hope.
Complex work was carried out with them: the social worker did her job, the psychologist did hers. The work with children was separate.
Psychologist Manana Gotsiridze: “They have lived a difficult life, and it is our duty to help them find a better path. These days we have been working on how to build harmonious relationships, how to adapt in society, overcome emotional and everyday problems.”
Anna Lomidze, assistant for working with children: “Children are careful on the first day. From the second day, their consciousness is freed from unnecessary everyday thoughts. Through exercises and tasks, they become aware of their rights and obligations, begin to talk about the family, about problems. One of them said: "When I leave this place, I will stand in front of the mirror in front of my grandfather and father and tell them that they are behaving badly, and I will not let my mother and grandmother cry." Children, together with women, also become stronger in the Rehabilitation Center. They take care of mothers, we jointly prepare symbolic gifts for mothers.”
The training work in the Youth Empowerment Centers continues actively. Another five trainings were held in the municipalities of Bagdati, Vani, Tkibuli, Senaki and Chokhatauri. The meetings were attended by 97 people.
Young people were actively involved in the working process - in interesting and fun activities. The trainings differ from each other, but despite this the participants are quite motivated, they want to get more information, more civic education and this is felt in their attitude.
Leaders have appeared in all youth groups who will make presentations at the final meetings in February.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
One of the most important segments in the youth direction of the Women Fund "Sukhumi" is the activation of Youth Empowerment Centers.
Trainings are held monthly in 10 municipalities of Western Georgia. The working topics of the trainings in January were early marriages and ways to resolve conflicts. Topical issues caused discussions and thus made all the trainings even more interesting.
The first five trainings were held in Zugdidi, Samtredia, Tsalenjikha, Kobuleti and Terjola municipalities.
The knowledge gained during the trainings is disseminated by young people in their schools, towns and villages, thereby contributing to the reduction of conflicts and the prevention of violence.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
The women's network established in Khoni continues to work actively in direction of advocating for the problems of the IDP community in the municipality. Network activists follow the dynamics of advocacy of the issues raised by them. They are in close contact with representatives of local self-government.
Part of the problems are already reflected in the budget and will be addressed step by step in 2023. Infrastructural issues were especially actively lobbied: roofing of residential buildings, repair of facades and installation of gutters.
The network moderator met with a member of the Gender Council of the municipality. During the meeting, it was noted that the action plan of the gender council for 2023 reflects the activities that were recorded by Khoni group at the workshop held in Kutaisi - this will contribute to the implementation of the action plan of Resolution 1325 at the local level.
The project is implemented with the support
of the UN Women organization
One more course of the Day Rehabilitation Center of the Women Fund "Sukhumi". Lots of beautiful things. One more group that learned how to work with polymer clay and create little miracles.
Traditionally, a final event was organized at the end of the two-month course. The participants presented the works created during the training, told about themselves... The presentation was impressive and was highly appreciated by the representatives of the Women Fund "Sukhumi".
Graduates were awarded with certificates. They noted that this period was quite fruitful for them in terms of professional development and personal relationships, and they will successfully apply the acquired knowledge in practice.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
One part of the psychologist's meetings took place within the framework of the international campaign of "16 active days against gender-based violence". Conversations with the beneficiaries of Kobuleti, Tkibuli and Khurcha (Zugdidi municipality) Women Support Centers were held via messenger. In addition, field meetings were held with women living in Senaki and Pakhulani (Tsalenjikha municipality). More than 50 participants attended the meetings.
By regions, 14 beneficiaries received individual psychotherapeutic sessions online, and psychological work was carried out with 12 beneficiaries in Kutaisi, at the office of the Women Fund “Sukhumi”.
The psychologist also held preliminary meetings to collect anamnesis and diagnostic work with 5 beneficiaries of the day center - with the polymer clay group.
The results of the work in December are as follows: the acquired skills helped the beneficiaries to overcome negative emotions and they know how to behave in future.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
The Gender Equality Council of Tsalenjikha Municipality in partnership with the Women Fund "Sukhumi" organized a round table on: "Prevention of violence and protection of violence victims, social cooperation and referral mechanisms", in the conference room of the City Council. The meeting was attended by representatives of governmental structures and social institutions. They analyzed the situation in the municipality in terms of violence and focused on the prospects for social cooperation.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
A little boy came with his mother. Children are often brought here, so there are a lot of toys in the room of the psychologist Manana Gotsiridze. The bunny also sat calmly on the shelf. Ukrainian boy suddenly shouted: bunny! Then he asked the psychologist: “can I hold him”? “Oh sure”. He hugged and caressed ... Manana Gotsiridze understood why and told him, if you want, I will give it to you. Mother fell into an awkward situation and began to “justify” – “he had such bunny at home, and he loved him very much”...
The boy left happy.
Everyone is satisfied after the meeting with the psychologist of the Women Fund "Sukhumi". Someone has fewer problems and the rehabilitation process is completed faster, someone needs more visits.
Meetings with Ukrainian refugees are one of the important areas in the work of Manana Gotsiridze. In January, she met 6 families - 17 people. An initial consultation was carried out, an anamnesis was collected and everyone was invited to continue free psychotherapy. They were also given the necessary products, household chemicals, warm clothes.
Women Support Centers continue to actively inform the public about victim assistance and support services, they help women to advocate various social or infrastructural problems.
In January, as a result of informing process at Women Support Centers of Samtredia, Tkibuli, Zugdidi, Vani and Tsalenjikha, crisis families were identified, work with them continues intensively.
According to the necessity, the psychologist of the Women Fund "Sukhumi" works with each case individually. Child support departments are also actively involved in the assistance process.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
The Social Justice Center carried out two research presentations: "Places of two-way omission - legal and social challenges in Gali and Akhalgori" and "Challenges and needs of women living close to the dividing lines". The event was attended by the representatives of international, local civil society organizations and state agencies, as well as the head of the Tbilisi representative office of Fund “Sukhumi”. In her speech, Ekaterine Gamakharia focused on the most topical challenges and needs of women living along the Administrative Boundary Lines, including their difficult economic and social situation, unemployment and obstacles for access to the economic activities and finances, problems of free movement along the dividing line, issues of domestic violence against women, etc.