Statistics of meetings in November: Three offline psychological group consultative meetings in the Women Support Centers of Pakhulani (Tsalenjikha municipality), Senaki, Chokhatauri, Vani, online meetings in Tkibuli, Khurcha (Zugdidi municipality) - 47 participants. 23 individual psychotherapy sessions, 12 online out of them .

Psychotherapy session was held with 5 day center beneficiaries who are learning how to work with polymer clay. The group meeting in Senaki was special. There were also women who were in our Rehabilitation Center. They talked about their successes, that they got a job and improved their financial situation. One of them was a victim of violence, she was embarrassed to talk about her problem.

 But the fear of death (her husband threatened and chased her with a knife and she miraculously escaped) forced her to speak. Aggression also came from the eldest son, who was on the side of his father. She was humiliated, intimidated in the Rehabilitation Center. In Senaki - we saw her good-looking, self-confident, successful. The eldest son, who accused her of all sins, now hugs her every morning and asks to forgive him. She offered to create a self-assistance group, she will help others and share her successful experience.

During the meetings held at the Women Support Centers, participants spoke about the problems that exist in terms of identifying victims of violence. They believe that in response to these challenges, meetings with women groups should be increased. All women should be informed about the services that exist in the government and non-government sectors. This information will help to identify hidden family conflicts and plan preventive measures.

The meetings were held in the Women Support Centers of Tkibuli, Chokhatauri, Terjola, Tsalenjikha and Zugdidi. During the whole month, five crisis families were identified in these centers and a corresponding response started.

The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot

 für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)

This is a best example of cooperation, the best practice!

The local self-government of Bagdati is a good partner of the Women Fund “Sukhumi”. The Women Support Center is actively working in Bagdati municipality, many interesting initiatives have been implemented.

One more interesting event has started. Women living in the village Dimi are given the opportunity to learn new professions.

Bagdati Gender Equality Council, with the support of the Fund “Sukhumi”, organized free educational courses in the village library. Within 10 weeks, some of the participants will learn how to make products from polymer clay, some will master the profession of a stylist, and some will take an Excel training course. The courses will help women and girls to improve their economic situation.

The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot

 für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)

During the information meeting, the women of Bagdati were provided with important information: about the monitoring conducted by the Women Fund "Sukhumi" to study the work of Departments for the protection of Children's Rights and Support, as well as about the main directions of work of the Department for the Protection of Children's Rights and Support of Bagdati municipality.

During the meeting, it was noted that this department is working actively and is trying to support the beneficiaries as much as possible. At the same time, it was noted that it is important to improve services for children and families and think about how to make these services more effective and achieve long-term results.

The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot

 für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)

“Local cooperation for a social environment focused on children and families” - a meeting on this topic was held in the Central Library of Tsalenjikha.

The meeting was attended by representatives of various services of the City Hall and teachers. They got acquainted with the results of the monitoring conducted by the Fund "Sukhumi" regarding the work of the Departments for the Protection of Children's Rights and Support. They also spoke about the practice and existing challenges of the Department for the Protection of Children's Rights and Support of Tsalenjikha municipality. Recommendations that will increase the efficiency of work in this regard were highlighted.

The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot

 für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)

In November, all three of our theaters were presented to the audience - the forum theater, the shadow theater and the puppet theater.

The forum-theater held performances in the youth center of Senaki municipality. The topic of migration and the problem of the relationship between mother and childtrn caused an active discussion and involvement of the audience. Thus, the Forum Theater implemented its mission.

The shadow theater and the puppet theater organized performances in the school of the village Khani (Bagdati municipality). The little spectators saw their favorite characters and showed great interest. These theaters also played their role - they talked with children about tolerance and harmony.

The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot

 für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)

Identifying of cases of domestic violence, informing citizens about existing services, identifying the needs of women and responding accordingly - these issues are the main directions of work of the Women Support Centers.

In November, five new cases were identified in Bagdati, Samtredia, Senaki, Vani and Kobuleti municipalities. In case of necessary, a psychologist of the Fund "Sukhumi" works on these cases.

Through information meetings, up to 80 people in all five municipalities received information about services of the assistance to the victim of violence and the Department for the Protection of Children's Rights. Informing the public about these issues contributes to the identification of new problems.

The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot

 für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)

Minister of State for Reconciliation and Civil Equality - Thea Akhvlediani, the "Consultative Council of Experts Working on Reconciliation and Engagement Policy Issues" and the "Women, Peace and Security - Advisory Platform on Strengthening Women's Effective Participation in the Peacebuilding Process" (of which the Women's Fund “Sukhumi” is a member) held a work-meeting with them.

Civil society representatives spoke about the challenges faced by the population near the dividing line, emphasized the need to make more efforts of peace building, to strengthen and develop the existing programs for restoring trust and reconciliation between the conflict divided communities. The members of the platforms at the State Minister's Office expressed their readiness to continue close cooperation with the Minister.

Psychologist Manana Gotsiridze has been working in the Women Fund “Sukhumi” for many years, in different municipalities of Western Georgia. With people of all ages.

She conducts group and individual meetings, psychotherapy sessions, helps the couples to overcome conflicts...

One of the psychological problems that many people suffer from is stress.

How to deal with stress? What can help us during stress?

Of course, the psychologist works with everyone individually, but these tips are useful for everyone:

Drink a cup of green tea.

Try to slowly count to 10 and then back, in order to calm down.

Eat chocolate.

Try aromatherapy.

Sometimes writing down your emotions on paper can make them less scary.

Give yourself a hand massage.

One of the ways to avoid stress is to comb your hair for 10-15 minutes.

Delicious food is an effective anti-stress measure.

The end of autumn is especially beautiful in the village, covered with yellow, red and burgundy flowers.

The forum-theater of the Women Fund "Sukhumi" visited the high-mountainous village Khani - Bagdati municipality.

Primary school students and pupils of the kindergarten met us in the school yard, expecting something interesting. With joint initiative of the Gender Equality Council of Bagdati Municipality and the Fund “Sukhumi”, a show of the puppet theater and the shadow theater was performed for them.

The scenarios of the performances touched upon gender topics and issues of tolerance, which were introduced to children through familiar characters.

An amazing mood, emotions, eyes lit up with joy, applause ... All this will long remain in the memory of the children, the youth group of the theater and the organizers.

At the end of the meeting, the members of the Gender Equality Council presented the children with sweets, the school administration finished this beautiful day with colorful fireworks.

The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot

 für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)