Since 2001, the Women Fund "Sukhumi" has been participating in the international campaign "16 Active Days against Gender-Based Violence". Young people were especially active this year. Youth Empowerment Centers initiated events in Zugdidi, Senaki, Samtredia, Tskaltubo and Terjola municipalities. They are aware of their responsibility for creating a non-violent environment.
About 30 events were planned, but due to the difficult political situation in the country, is was not a large-scale campaign.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
In frames of the International campaign "16 active days against gender-based violence", a group of Para-specialists of the Women Fund "Sukhumi" expressed their protest with a mini-action. This group was created to work in different communities to identify conflict families and risk groups. The activities of Para-specialists are aimed at preventing violence. That is why they actively participated in the 16-day campaign.
The project is implemented with the support the Equality Fund (Canada)
- Thank you for presenting the results of your work. You are more dedicated to your work now than before. I admire your motivation and spirit. You work not only for your beneficiaries, but for the whole country. I am glad that we are your partners. Thank you for the partnership, - said Kim Kwibuka, the representative of our donor organization BrotfürdieWelt, at the end of the meeting.
During the meeting, the project participants presented our work from different sides.
With the support of a German organization, we have been working to empower women and girls in the municipalities of Western Georgia for 18 years, and we also are grateful for the long-term fruitful partnership.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
The online workshop, titled "Tactics, Characteristics, and Detection Techniques of Gender Disinformation," was led by Linda Chikhladze, a digital communications specialist, and involved members of the Youth Club from the Kutaisi and Tskaltubo municipalities of the Women's Fund "Sukhumi".
The event was opened by Ana Lomidze, a representative of the Women's Fund "Sukhumi." She shared the results of the project “Changing Narratives: Combating Gender Identity Disinformation for Informed, Sensitive Societies and Ethical Regional Media” with the participating youth.
The Women's Fund "Sukhumi" journalism competition awards ceremony was held at the Gelati Residence Hotel. The competition focused on the ethical coverage of gender identity disinformation and violence against women, and journalists and bloggers working in the Imereti region participated.
The event began with a welcoming speech by Ekaterine Gamakharia, head of the Tbilisi office of the Women's Fund "Sukhumi" and coordinator of the project "Changing Narratives: Fighting Against Gender Identity Disinformation for an Informed, Sensitive Society and Ethical Regional Media," and Ala Gamakharia, director of the Women’s Fund "Sukhumi". In their speech, they spoke about the Women Fund "Sukhumi"'s 25 years of experience in collaboration with journalists, and the importance of ethical coverage of violence against women.
Based on the jury's total points, the awards were distributed as follows:
In Chokhatauri, members of the mutual assistance group held a meeting of a different format - a cheese exhibition. The women brought out their goods. They discussed the creation of a website called "Women of Gogolasubani", which will help sell the products. Group from Tsalenjikha consider the economic empowerment of women from the vulnerable group in their plans for the future.
New participants gathered in Samtredia, they filled out questionnaires, talked about their needs. Tskaltubo group was replenished with new members. The meeting was held online.
Mutual assistance group meetings were also held in other municipalities (Khobi, Zugdidi, Terjola, Kobuleti, Senaki, Vani). New participants addressed - with their problems and hope for their solution. A psychologist from the Women Fund “Sukhumi” actively worked with the women.
The project is implemented with the support the Equality Fund (Canada)
An informational meeting was held in the village Shua Khorga (Khobi municipality), attended by school teachers and parents. The main topic of discussion at the meeting was the prevention of domestic violence and protection of the victim.
The discussion focused on the role and functions of referral entities. The emphasis was on training teachers and medical personnel and providing information about services.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
The acceptance of entries for our journalistic contest, "Ethical Coverage of Gender Identity Disinformation and Violence Against Women," has ended. The jury is currently in the process of evaluation. The jury panel consists of the following members:
- Eka Pkhakadze – Journalist, TV "Formula," correspondent for Imereti, Racha-Lechkhumi, and Kvemo Svaneti
- Zeko Khachidze – Blogger, founder of "Civil Theater"
- Moreta Bobokhidze – Expert in gender equality and human rights
- Ana Tavkhelidze – Human rights lawyer
- Vero Melua – Feminist activist, co-founder of the feminist platform femea.ge
We would like to thank all participants for their time, attention, and participation. We wish each of them the best of luck!
This competition is organized as part of the project "Changing Narratives: Fighting Gender Identity Disinformation for an Informed, Sensitive Society and Ethical Regional Media."
The guide "Prevention and response to gender-based violence in war and post-war conditions - experience and recommendations of women’s NGOs" was discussed at information meetings held in the Women Support Centers of Khoni, Chokhatauri, Vani, Terjola and Samtredia. It describes the experience of non-governmental organizations - how they work to protect women's rights during and after the war.
The meeting participants familiarized themselves with the best practices of the Fund “Sukhumi”, which occupies an important place in the guide, together with recommendations and proposals aimed at supporting women.
The project is implemented with the support of the Urgent Action Fund for Women's Human Rights