The Women Fund “Sukhumi” opened the international information campaign “16 active days against gender-based violence” a day earlier.
November 24. 19.00.
Kutaisi. Stadium named after Ramaz Shengelia – “Shengelia Arena”.
Match between “Torpedo” Kutaisi and “Dinamo” Tbilisi.
And... the most unusual and special:
The entire “Torpedo” team came out wearing white T-shirts with the slogan of our campaign: “Break the silence! Stop the violence”!
The footballers carried this slogan in the form of a large banner.
“Torpedo” Kutaisi has been the face of the 16-day campaign before - in 2003 and 2013.
In 2003, the action also took place at the stadium before the match with “Dinamo” Tbilisi. Then the players carried a long white ribbon into the stadium with the slogan: “Violence is evil! Let's unite against violence against women”!
This was quite a serious demonstration and an unusual action for that time!
As a result of the efforts of our and other organizations, society has realized that violence goes beyond the problem of one family and has more harmful consequences than we think. Three years later, in 2006, the Georgian parliament adopted a law against domestic violence...
From November 20 to 22, a working meeting was held among the network members at the Ambassador Hotel Kachreti within the framework of GIZ's global program 'Shaping Development-Oriented Migration Policy.
At the meeting, our representative, Linda Chikhladze, shared the experiences of the Women's Fund 'Sukhumi' with the participants.
In recent months, Ukrainians receive vouchers from the Women Fund “Sukhumi”. Depending on the number of family members, one, two or three vouchers worth 100 GEL are issued. Within a month, they can use vouchers to buy necessary products. As Ukrainians note, this system is convenient and practical for them.
In November, 32 families received assistance in the form of vouchers. There are currently 370 people in our database who receive our support. 13 new beneficiaries were added this month.
Although our organization cannot solve many of the challenges and needs of Ukrainian refugees, they greatly appreciate our support.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
Raising awareness about the harmfulness of alcohol and drugs addiction among teenagers - Kutaisi women initiative group is working on this topic as part of the advocacy process. How to give correct information to young people - psychotherapist, narcologist Vakhtang Sikharulidze talked about this issue, according to the participants, it is necessary to hold similar meetings in schools. During the meeting of Kutaisi Youth Club, the members received information about the 16-day international campaign against gender-based violence. The participants identified various activities that the club will implement within the campaign.
In Chisinau, Moldova, Ekaterine Gamakharia, Head of the Women Fund "Sukhumi" representative office in Tbilisi, was honored to lead the Fireside event at a workshop with the inspiring Women's Advisory Board (WAB) for the Moldova Peace Talks, organized by the Folke Bernadotte Academy (FBA) and UN Women. The workshop aimed at empowering WAB members with enhanced advocacy and negotiation skills, specifically addressing the Transnistrian Settlement Process. During the Fireside event, Ekaterine shared experiences of women activists' involvement in Georgia's peace processes, providing a detailed overview of the dynamic of cooperation between peace talks delegates and women's organizations. The session was open, interactive, and filled with enriching discussions.
"I believe in the power of shared experiences and knowledge exchange. Moldovan and Georgian women peace activists can learn from each other, reinforcing our collective commitment to building a more peaceful and inclusive world," said Ekaterine, reflecting on her visit.
Members of Senaki Women Initiative Group held their next planned meeting. The meeting participants evaluated their activities. They reviewed the list of identified issues and talked about the prospects for unresolved problems.
According to the participants, teamwork, gender sensitivity, and a well-designed advocacy plan contributed to solving various problems. Based on the gained experience, work on long-term problems will be continued in future.
The project is implemented with the support
of the UN Women organization
Members of Zugdidi Women Initiative Group gathered for the next meeting. The problems, resolved with the help of the Women Fund “Sukhumi” were noted with pride.
The problem that was voiced to various Ministries and Departments on behalf of the organization was especially emphasized. This was one of the proposals of the group, and it has already been decided: next to the men police officers on the dividing line of Abkhazia there are female police officers too, and it is they who check the women when crossing the Inguri checkpoint. This eliminated a lot of inconvenience.
Each new solved problem is an incentive for further work of the Women Initiative Group.
The project is implemented with the support
of the UN Women organization
During the next meeting, the members of Senaki women initiative group evaluated their activities, reviewed the list of identified problems and discussed ways to solve the problematic issues. According to the participants, teamwork, gender sensitivity, well-written advocacy plan helped them to solve various issues. At the beginning of the meeting, they talked about the 16-day campaign. The women focused on gender stereotypes and increased cases of violence in society. The members of Senaki youth group talked about the problems, reasons and consequences of domestic violence. They received information about a 16-day campaign against gender-based violence. Activities to be held within the campaign were planned.
Psychologist of the Women Fund "Sukhumi" Ekaterine Kvachakidze held group and individual meetings in the Women Support Centers of Terjola, Samtredia, Kobuleti, Zugdidi and Vani. Among the participants there were: victims of violence, representatives of families under crisis, school teachers.
The main topic of the group meetings was “The impact of traumatic experiences on the victim and abuser”. People with traumatic experiences often suffer from psychological stress. In such a situation, it is necessary to work individually with children, work with families, teachers, as a result of which we will get an effective impact.
The meetings were held in question-and-answer mode. The participants showed activity and goodwill. According to them, such meetings are necessary and useful.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
