The Women Fund “Sukhumi”, with the support of the Canada Equality Fund and the German organization Bread for the World, organized a conference on the topic: "Prevention of violence against women and response with a community-based approach - practice and impact mechanisms".
The conference was opened by Ekaterine Gamakharia, head of the Women Fund “Sukhumi” Tbilisi office. The chairperson of the Women Fund “Sukhumi”, Alla Gamakharia, greeted the participants with a welcoming speech. Tea Torinava, executive director of the organization, spoke about the Digital Resource Center - the experience of providing services and empowering women who have experienced violence.
The conference was attended by mobilizers of Women Support Centres from 10 municipalities, members of women's mutual assistance groups, para-specialists of social work and representatives of civil society organisations working on women's rights.
Two panel discussions were held. It was noted that 14 civil initiatives were financed in 10 municipalities, which contributed to the creation of a non-violent environment for women and children.
At the end of the conference, the founders of the organization - Alla Gamakharia, Mery Gelashvili and Nanuli Ramishvili recalled the 28-year history of the organization and charged the participants with motivation.
The Women Fund "Sukhumi" continues to work in direction of violence prevention and women empowerment.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
Violence around us, our reactions to the rapist and the victim, mechanisms for protection and violence prevention - these and other issues are discussed by young actors and director Magda Chikhladze with the audience after the Forum Theatre performances.
The discussion reflects the attitude of society. And especially what else should be done to solve problems related to violence.
The Forum Theatre staged performances in Kutaisi and "forced" the audience to think about current issues.
In order for more people to see the performances staged by the Forum Theatre, it was decided to make a film. Work on the future film is currently underway.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
A meeting on the topic: "Kindergartens, family, community - social partnership for the well-being of children" was held in Kutaisi.
The participants heard information about the research "The main aspects of family and community participation in the educational process of preschool institutions", conducted by the Women Fund "Sukhumi".
The discussion emphasized the importance of exchanging information and coordination between structures working in the field of protecting children's rights and providing various social services.
"There are many problems, but by increasing the participation of all of us, parents and the community, we can overcome the obstacles that prevent the creation of a full, positive environment for children," emphasized the participants. The meeting was attended by parents, teachers, and children’s rights defenders, employees of special service centers, kindergarten managers, industry specialists, and experts.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
A round table on the topic "Kindergartens, family, community - social partnership for the well-being of the child" organized by the Women Fund "Sukhumi", was held in Kutaisi, in the Center for Children's Rights,
The meeting was attended by parents, teachers, journalists, and childrens’ rights defenders, representatives of social services, kindergarten managers, specialists and experts of the region.
The participants were introduced to the research “Key aspects of family and community participation in the educational process of preschool institutions”, with the main conclusions that are identified in the direction of family and community participation in the educational process of preschool institutions.
The participants of the round table exchanged information on the positive impact of the family and community participation component, interesting practices and challenges they face in this area. According to their assessment, such meetings will contribute to increased coordination and cooperation, improving social partnership between parents and entities working in the field of children's rights.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
During the meetings of women's mutual support groups in Tskaltubo and Vani, services offered by municipal and non-governmental organizations were discussed. Samtredia group has been replenished with new members, so new cases have appeared. They need to be processed in a timely manner and each one needs to be resolved.
In Kobuleti, the group members outlined their problems and needs. Necessities were discussed in Terjola, Zugdidi, Tsalenjikha, Senaki and Khobi. The woman from Chokhatauri has a great desire to take courses of working with polymer clay, as this is one of the ways to find employment along with therapy. It is important for women that a psychologist from the Women Fund “Sukhumi” periodically works with them, helping them to solve their problems.
The project is implemented with the support the Equality Fund (Canada
Familiarization with the results of the research conducted by the Fund "Sukhumi" was held in Kutaisi, in the office of the "Generation of Books". Parents, specialists, experts, psychologists, journalists, heads of private and public kindergartens who participated in the meeting exchanged information and emphasized actual issues:
- What is the level of family and community involvement in processes taking place in preschool institutions according to the quality standard?
- What hinders equal participation of both parents. Why is it not possible to increase the level of fathers' involvement and what incentive initiatives do preschools use to solve this problem?
- How balanced is the equal participation of parents of children with disabilities/special needs in the upbringing process?
- How high is the level of cooperation and coordination with service providers and child protection departments?
During the discussion, participants heard about the challenges as well as successful practices and confirmed that in response to the research findings, it is necessary to strengthen the involvement of the family and community, as defined by the quality standard, which will primarily increase the benefits for the child and positively balance the child-oriented environment.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
- What is the quality standard of family and community involvement in the processes taking place in preschool institutions? How high is the gender impact? What prevents the equal inclusion of both parents? What problems hinder the creation of a full-fledged environment? - Information exchange on these issues was held at a meeting in kindergarten #17 in Kutaisi, which was attended by representatives of public and private kindergartens, psychologists, children's rights specialists and parents.
- Low involvement of immigrant parents, lack of communication with fathers and their inclusion, unequal participation of parents of children with disabilities/special needs in the upbringing process, weak coordination with service providers and actors working in the field of children's rights - these and other issues were emphasized by the participants of the meeting. Along with the results of the research, the speakers discussed the resources and opportunities that can be used to address the identified challenges.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
Another information exchange meeting on the findings and recommendations reflected in the research on assessing the gender impact of the family and community participation component of the “Preschool Education Quality Standard” was held in kindergarten #7 in Kutaisi.
Preschool administrators, teachers, educators, methodologists, special education teachers and parents actively discussed the challenges that hinder family and community participation in the educational process.
Participants confirmed the importance of implementing positive practices that ensure the full participation of both parents. In their opinion, a variety of activities, increased staff competence, and partnerships with service providers will improve the quality of interaction between the family and the community with children's institutions, which will contribute to the creation of a full-fledged child-oriented environment.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
The second information exchange meeting, organized by the Women Fund "Sukhumi", was held in kindergarten #25 in Kutaisi. Heads of various preschool institutions, teachers, methodologists, special educators, speech therapists and methodologists were familiarized with the research on assessing the gender impact of the family and community participation component of the "Preschool Education Quality Standard". The research experts presented the findings, best practices and existing problems, which are outlined in the final report, and clearly demonstrated the impact of the standard on students, parents, the community and staff of preschool institutions. Suggestions for improving the service were presented.
During the discussion the meeting participants spoke about the importance of equal participation of both parents in the upbringing and education of children, parental pedagogy, and improving partnership work with preschool institutions. They expressed regret that the experience of specialists in this field has not been sufficiently studied. Its use, expansion of dialogue with parents and other service providers will contribute to more effective implementation of the "Preschool Education Quality Standard". Children and their families will be provided with a full-fledged service that meets modern standards.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
