"What Do Women Survivors Say?" reflects on the harsh realities experienced by domestic violence survivors in Georgia, sharing their personal stories, challenges, and the systemic barriers they face in seeking safety and independence. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, in 2024 alone, 8,744 restraining orders were issued, with the vast majority of victims - 6,634 cases - being women. Despite legal progress, many survivors refrain from seeking help due to social stigma, economic dependence, and a lack of accessible support services. Based on research by the Women’s Fund “Sokhumi,” this document assesses the effectiveness of existing assistance programs and underscores the urgent need for stronger, more sustainable mechanisms to support women in rebuilding their lives.
An online meeting was held, with participation of members of the "Network of Women and Girls Peace Ambassadors" from Kutaisi, Khoni, Tskaltubo, Senaki and Zugdidi municipalities.
The meeting summarized the results of the project, and the participants heard an analysis of the current situation in terms of advocacy for problems in individual municipalities.
The leaders of the network voiced the priority problems of their communities. They worked on their identification worked with the group members.
The network participants spoke about the importance of the network, the empowerment of each participant and the implementation of civil initiatives. They also noted how important it is for them to be able to voice local problems at the international level, in particular on the platform of the UN Open Day. The project is coming to its end and is undergoing an evaluation in parallel. Evaluators Marina Gurbo and Dako Bakhturidze took part in the online meeting
The project is implemented with the support
of the UN Women organization
The Women’s Fund “Sokhumi” continues raising awareness on digital security by organizing workshops across different municipalities in Georgia.
From February 4 to 7, digital security trainer Linda Chikhladze held sessions in Tskaltubo, Samtredia, and Chokhatauri, engaging local women's support groups in discussions on online risks and protective mechanisms.
During the workshops, participants:
- Learned about technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV) and its impact;
- Studied personal data protection techniques – strong passwords, two-factor authentication, and privacy tools;
- Became familiar with legal protections against online violence;
- Discussed the importance of mutual support and women’s empowerment.
The Forum Theatre can hold performances anywhere - in a hall, on the street...
One February meeting was held in Vani, another - in Kutaisi Park.
Young actors presented actual problems. At public school of Vani Forum Theatre held performance for the first time, and made a huge impression on the audience - with the form of expression and the actors' performance. Some of those gathered joined the performance, and others expressed their opinions on the issues during the discussion.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
The Women Fund “Sukhumi” has completed the gender impact assessment of the "family and community participation" component of the preschool education quality standard. An information campaign has been launched to exchange information and expand the dialogue with the target groups of the research.
The first meeting was held in the kindergarten #13 in Kutaisi, and was attended by preschool teachers, methodologists, special educators, speech therapists and methodologists.
The meeting participants had the opportunity to discuss the positive results of the “family and community participation” component based on the research findings, as well as the challenges in terms of equal participation of both parents and communication with the community. According to the participants, the main findings and recommendations identified during the research will contribute to the effective implementation of the “Quality Standard of Preschool Education” and the creation of a positive environment focused on the interests of the child.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
Women Support Centers hold mobilization meetings to prevent violence and identify cases. With the help of the Centers' mobilizers, more than 150 people received information about victim assistance services from the state and non-governmental sector. As a result of the information provided in January, 10 families under the risk were identified. Work with them is already underway - the beneficiaries received consultations from a psychologist and lawyer of the Women Fund “Sukhumi”.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
The main topic of the meetings was "What are the characteristics of rapists?"
"Perhaps most of them did not have support and upbringing in childhood, had low self-esteem and were socially isolated. Low self-esteem affects marital relationships. External stresses and life crises, the inability to make decisions are special. The rapist does not know how to look ahead and does not think about the results of his actions," notes Eka Kvachakidze, a psychologist at the Women Fund “Sukhumi”.
The psychologist held online meetings at the Women Support Centers of Zugdidi, Tsalenjikha, Tskaltubo, Khoni and Vani. There were also individual consultations.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
The audience always watches the Forum Theatre performances with interest.
Questions, memories of life, involvement of some viewers in the performance, discussions... This is what makes this theatre special.
The Forum Theatre of the Women Fund "Sukhumi" held two meetings with the audience in January: in a private school in Terjola and in one of the parks in Kutaisi.
Rehearsals and work on new performances are underway in parallel. Young actors are actively working to contribute to the process of violence prevention.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
Training on “Business Planning and Management of Small/Micro Business” was held for 16 beneficiaries of the Day Rehabilitation Center at the Women Fund “Sukhumi” (trainer: Elguja Deisadze, Associate Professor at Kutaisi University).
The following topics were covered during two days: business planning and the basics of writing projects, the methodology of a systematic approach to the formation and organization of a new business, as well as the development of necessary skills for drawing up a business plan.
The participants had developed a business idea. Therefore, the training process was targeted, and the trainer gave specific recommendations.
At the end of the training, the participants: presented a business project, assessed business risks and filled out a business project application.
The assessment of the training participants:
"This was necessary and useful training."
"We discussed important topics."
"I learned a lot, and this opens up new opportunities for me".
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
The advocacy group of the Women Fund "Sukhumi" held online and offline meetings with women's advocacy groups in 10 target municipalities of Western Georgia (Tskaltubo, Khoni, Terjola, Vani, Samtredia, Senaki, Khobi, Chokhatauri, Tsalenjikha, Zugdidi- village Khurcha).
During the meetings, problems were identified, needs were outlined and specific steps for problem advocacy were planned.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)