This policy brief presents the findings of a quantitative research study conducted by The Women's Fund "Sukhumi" in 10 targeted municipalities from March to May 2024. The study, which included 1027 female respondents, examined victims of violence seeking support services. The document focuses on the importance of identifying incidents of violence at an early stage and reducing its impact through applying to services. According to the study results, between 2023 and 2024, 16% of the women surveyed did not seek any support services. Overall, the highest applying rates in 2024 were reported to police (112) and the hotline (116 006) (approximately 45-38% of cases). "Stigma and fear of public judgment" (27.9% of cases) are the leading reasons for not contacting any support services in cases of violence.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
The Women's Fund "Sukhumi" presents its new information brochure: "Gender Disinformation - Features, Tactics and Detection Methods", which shows how false and inaccurate information is used to discredit, intimidate, and silence women, especially those active in the public sphere. The brochure outlines key characteristics and common tactics of gender disinformation, such as spreading gender stereotypes, victim-blaming, and attacking women's intellectual abilities. Additionally, the brochure provides practical advice on identifying and countering gender misinformation through source verification, cross-referencing with independent sources, and using reliable fact-checking websites.
This policy brief presents the findings of a quantitative research study conducted by The Women's Fund "Sukhumi" in 10 targeted municipalities from March to May 2024. The study, which included 1027 female respondents, assesses domestic violence, it’s manifestations and perceptions of the perpetrator. This document aims to evaluate the forms of domestic violence against women and to identify and analyze the associated dangers and risks. The study findings indicate that husbands are typically the domestic abusers, with psychological violence being the predominant form. In 2024, the rate of economic violence decreased compared to 2023. Additionally, while substance abuse was the main factor contributing to domestic violence in 2023, a challenging economic situation has become the primary cause in 2024. We should not ignore the notable rate of sexual violence, which has remained unchanged at 16% for the past two years.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
This policy brief presents the findings of a quantitative research study conducted by The Women's Fund "Sukhumi" in 10 targeted municipalities from March to May 2024. The study, which included 1027 female respondents, assesses women's safety and identifies the risks contributing to their feelings of threat and insecurity. Key findings highlight poverty and unemployment as the primary threats, with a noted increase in migration inclination compared to the previous year.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
The Women Fund “Sukhumi” has developed “Practical instructions for the effective functioning of the mechanism of municipal coordination to combat domestic violence against women.”
Effective work to combat violence against women requires systematic, consistent and coordinated actions of all authoritative departments, both at the central and local levels.
The goal of the practical guide is to provide practical advices to interdepartmental commissions of municipalities on how to implement an effective and coordinated response to domestic violence at local level. The document is based on best international and local practices.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
“Practical guide for teachers on identifying and responding to violence against children” – this is the title of new publication of the Women Fund “Sukhumi”. It is directed to the representatives of educational institutions - for teachers and educators of schools, kindergartens, nurseries, who have permanent communication with children and are an important link in identifying and responding to violence against children.
The aim of the guide is to provide educational institutions with information and tools that will help them to timely identify the facts of violence against children in school and at home and provide a comprehensive, multi-sector response.
The project is implemented with the support the Equality Fund (Canada)
We are pleased to present the Women Fund “Sukhumi” Rapid Assessment Report: “Municipal Interagency Commissions on Gender Equality, Violence Against Women, and Domestic Violence: Best Practices and Current Challenges”. The document aims to evaluate the relevance of establishing inter-agency commissions to improve collaboration and coordination between state agencies in tackling the issues related to violence against women and domestic violence. It additionally aims to assess the institutional capacities of existing commissions, their accomplishments, and the challenges they encounter.
Based on the research data, it is evident that interagency commissions have a crucial role in coordinating mechanisms for the prevention of violence against women and domestic violence. This is demonstrated by the actions of interagency commissions that have already been formed in several target municipalities. The commissions facilitate more effective local referral procedures, communication, and coordination among stakeholders involved in managing incidents of violence.
However, the analysis of challenges revealed that to establish meaningful changes, it is important to formalize the inter-agency commission further. This requires developing an articulated strategy and leveraging and implementing examples of good practices, both local and international. Additionally, raising awareness among municipality representatives and the general population, ensuring proper delineation of responsibilities with the Gender Equality Council, and encouraging involvement from representatives of diverse agencies in commission activities are essential.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
The Women Fund “Sukhumi” has published a “Practical Guide for Responding to Gender-Based Violence for Representatives of Medical Institutions.” The aim of the guide is to provide medical workers, including doctors and nurses who have direct contact with patients, with information and tools that will help them to response to gender-based violence, in a timely, comprehensive and multi-sector way.
The practical guide includes the following issues:
- General information about violence against women and domestic violence;
- International and national standards for responding to gender-based violence from the side of representatives of medical institutions;
- The role of medical staff in responding to gender-based violence;
- Appropriate strategies, steps and recommendations to effectively respond to gender-based violence by medical staff;
- The importance of multi-sector collaboration in effectively responding to violence against women.
The project is implemented with the support the Equality Fund (Canada)
By order of the Gender Equality Council of Tsalenjikha Municipality, the Women Fund “Sukhumi” conducted a research of women gender needs in Tsalenjikha Municipality and published a report. The aim of the research is to collect evidence-based information about the needs of different groups of women living in the municipality. The information obtained will become the basis for more effective measures for the implementation of the social policy of the municipality, which will envisage the needs, visions and prospects of the direct target groups. Based on research results, the recommendations were prepared.
