As a result of the research carried out within the framework of the project, the representatives of Zugdidi Women's Network have identified the priority problems that will be submitted to the local government in order to advocate them.

During the online information meeting, the IDP women initiative group of Zugdidi discussed exactly these problems. Their solution will be good for displaced women and young people, as well as for every resident of the municipality.

The project is implemented with the support

 of the UN Women organization

Women from Ukraine - a new blog has appeared on the website of the Women Fund "Sukhumi" since March.

The main characters are women - from Kherson, Chuguev, Kyiv, Kharkiv, Berdyansk, Vinnytsia...

These are sad and hopeful stories.

A few phrases from different stories:

"When I was a child, I remember that grandmothers and grandfathers repeated one and the same thing - let there be peace and we don't want anything else. We had peace and laughed at what they said. They had experienced a war and knew the value of peace. Now I understand the meaning of these words very well", - Katerina Mirnaya.

"Mother has a family farm: chickens, eggs, vegetables. She has sown potatoes in three vegetable gardens... she is waiting for us and prepares everything for us", - Alina Dziubinskaya.

"I have two mothers in Kherson - mine and my husband’s, everything is there - house, apartment, friends, relatives, I miss them and I am afraid of losing them. All I want is to go to my country soon", - Tatyana Khodakovskaya.

https://blogofwomanfundsukhumi.tilda.ws/

The blog has already told the stories of 15 women. Stories that are similar to each other and are different at the same time...

This blog must be read by everyone, in order to feel the cruelty of war and do everything for peace...

The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot

 für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)

"Before arriving to the rehabilitation center, I suffered a lot. Firstly, I didn't know how I would leave everyday problems and at the same time, how I would be accepted here. I have never been away from my family for all my 48 years. In one word, I was worried.

I felt a warm environment at the first meeting.

Then I met a psychologist. I felt amazing attention. I my surprise I told her many things about me.

I have a good memory, I remember everything. When the father got drunk, he often quarreled with the mother. That's why I didn't love him. In the age of 5-6 I was like an old woman. I had a lack of many things. My mother often said that she was doing everything for you, and I blamed myself, I asked myself why did I appear in this world...

I still have many problems. But I forgot everything in the rehabilitation center. I found new acquaintances, common problems and the feeling that you are not alone. That is why I am full of hope and energy. We need such relationships, compassion, listening to each other. My little boy is also happy, he likes to be here...

Now I understand how I should have lived as a mother, as a woman. I am coming out of the closed circle in which I was. Thanks to everyone who helped me"...

From the beginning of October, the formation of new groups of youth empowerment centers began.

In Zugdidi, Terjola, Kobuleti, Senaki and Tkibuli, trainings were held on the topic of conflict management and violence prevention (only one of these meetings was held in online format).

Young people were involved in the work with great responsibility. This form of informal education was quite interesting and impressive for them. They are ready to show initiatives and conduct various activities before the next meeting.

The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot

 für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)

One of the women from Ukraine is undergoing treatment for oncology, and we actively help her, we pay for medical procedures. Our organization is the only one that supports her in this difficult period of life. After the medical tests, we heard good news, the 4th stage of cancer was not confirmed and she continues to fight...

There are 337 refugees from Ukraine in our database. In October, we added 16 people to the database. Assistance was provided to 31 families and 2 women. We continue to pay rent for three families, another 9 families were added to this category this month.

We continue to look for jobs. One of our beneficiaries managed to get a job in a garment factory. There is currently a vacancy for a man, for the position of a baker.

Everyone who wants to have consultations with psychologists, participate in psycho-rehabilitation sessions conducted by Georgian and Ukrainian psychologists. We also offer legal advice. We were addressed by a single mother, upon arrival she was deceived, under the guise of selling her home, they took 1,500 $ from her and disappeared - unfortunately, the scammers were not be found. She addressed a lawyer, he still helps, brought her to us. From our side, she received a package of products, we also helped with paying for housing.

A public discussion was held by the Women Fund "Sukhumi" within the framework of the campaign "All agains Femicide". Representatives of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ministry of Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied Territories, Labour, Health, and Social Affairs, Ministry of Justice, Public Defender's Office, National Association of Local Authorities of Georgia. Also women's/youth groups and journalists of various projects of Women Fund "Sukhumi".

According to independent expert Goga Khatiashvili - "There is only one solution, let's listen to everyone!"

The public discussion organized by the Women's Fund "Sukhumi" is another attempt to make the representatives of the legislative, executive and civil sectors speak in one democratic space and in one language to solve common problems.

The Thematic Inquiry Group of the Gender Equality Council set up on the Access of Women to Financial Resources held a verbal hearing of the international and local organizations, thematic inquiry experts and civil activists expressing their positions on the issue and answering the questions of the main rapporteur of the inquiry.

Ekaterine Gamakharia – Representative of the Women Fund “Sukhumi” took part in the meeting of thematic inquiry group. In her speech, she focused on displaced and conflict-affected women and emphasized that ensuring women's access to financial resources is not only the most important factor in the country's development, the fight against poverty and violence against women, but it also has a great impact on peace building and restoring trust in the country.

"Today, it is not time for talks, it's for specific actions! Because while we talk about problems and complain, a large number of women are directly confronted with inequality, violence, outdated stereotypes and all the bitterness of economic dependence... Many of them have to fight to survive... Only economically strong women can take care of public welfare, contribute to the development of the country, fight against violence, and build sustainable and long-lasting peace"... - said Ekaterine Gamakharia.

During the meeting, the participants discussed specific ways to overcome the problems and shared their findings and recommendations to each other.

Violence against women, femicide, referral mechanisms and entities, authority of the child rights protection and support department in this process - these issues were discussed at information meetings initiated by the women support centers.

The main focus was on the work of children's departments operating in municipalities. It was mentioned that information on the work of the new department is not available to everyone. It was noted that it is necessary for teachers of kindergartens and schools to cooperate with this department, which will help to identify cases of violence and respond effectively.

The meetings were held in the women support centers of Senaki, Kobuleti, Bagdati, Zugdidi and Tkibuli.

The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot

 für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)

A meeting of the Interdepartmental Commission for the Elimination of Violence against Women was held in Senaki City Hall meeting room. The meeting was attended by members of the commission, as well as representatives of the City Council, schools and the Women Fund “Sukhumi”.

After reviewing specific cases, the participants of the meeting discussed the issues of violence prevention, protection of victims and cooperation with local government agencies.

The interdepartmental commission decided to join the annual 16-day information campaign against gender-based violence.

The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot

 für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)

The round table in Senaki City Hall of was attended by responsible officials of the City Hall, representatives of the health and social protection service, the department for the protection of children's rights and their support, the social service agency and the educational sector.

During the meeting, the participants talked about the alarming growth of the facts of femicide. The emphasis was placed on the problem of domestic violence and the prospect of cooperation with local structures.

It was noted that the local government is the unit of a referral mechanism for protection against violence - it has the authority and duty to be involved in the process of violence prevention, identification of cases and assistance to victims - to which the municipality responds with appropriate programs.

The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot

 für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)