A dialogue with specialists working in the field of civic education took place in an interesting format. The topic of the online meeting was "Psychosocial, Economic, Legal, and Structural Aspects of Migration and Measures of its Prevention".
We presented the results of the Fund “Sukhumi” research and the digital resource www.sosfsokhumi.ge to the participants. We discussed the main factors of women migration, the psychosocial consequences of uncontrolled migration, and the importance of reducing it.
An interesting discussion was held on migration prevention mechanisms and migration trends. Participants shared their observations regarding the fact that while in previous years migration had primarily affected urban populations, now villages are also becoming empty, as introducing innovations into agriculture is extremely difficult, soils are depleted, and incomes have significantly decreased. Successful local entrepreneurs are less popular. It was noted that it is difficult to reduce uncontrolled migration without a corresponding positive socioeconomic environment, but at the same time, it is essential for society to recognize the negative psycho-emotional consequences of migration for families: alienation, deprivation of parental warmth for children, excessive burden for the elderly, not to mention the "brain drain" and changing demographics. Therefore, they believe public dialogue on migration issues is essential.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
Mutual assistance group meetings were held in municipalities of Western Georgia according to planned. Assistant Nino Chabukiani held five meetings in Terjola, Vani, Kutaisi, Tskaltubo and Kobuleti. The remaining five meetings were organized and facilitated by the leaders, who successfully completed their tasks.
During the meetings in Zugdidi, Chokhatauri, Senaki, Tsalenjikha, and Khobi, group participants discussed issues related to the civic initiative competition. Emphasis was placed on feedback, so that they would be better prepared for the next stage.
The project is implemented with the support the Equality Fund (Canada)
Preparation for the implementation of civil initiatives has begun in the women's groups of Kutaisi, Khoni and Khobi. It was preceded by a civil dialogue on the causes of migration, its psychosocial consequences and ways of prevention.
During the meetings they heard interesting opinions from young people who have their own attitude to this problem and believe that there are many sensitive topics, the understanding of which is extremely important for society. For example, according to their observations, parents sometimes unintentionally contribute to the alienation of their children from their peers by buying expensive things, which further aggravates their psycho-emotional state.
At this stage, consultations are being held with initiative groups, events are being planned and appropriate resources are being sought.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
In July, civil dialogue was continued in women's groups of Kutaisi, Khoni and Khobi. Participants discussed the reasons of migration, its psychosocial consequences and ways of prevention.
Their vision of what needs to be done to reduce migration and mitigate its consequences, reintegrate women and improve the psychosocial climate in their families was interesting; increase of teachers' awareness of the emotional and behavioral characteristics of children of migrant parents was also noted. Some participants shared their experiences on this topic:
"My parents' emigration brought a lot of psychological trauma, some of which I still experience. What children of immigrant parents need most is the right atmosphere." "The school period should be useful for them, because it was the teacher who brought the light back to me."
Some participants expressed a desire to share their emotions:
"I have some sketches and you can share them. If I could, I would give everyone the strength to talk about their pain, as I do."
"I would be happy to join the creation of interesting stories. I myself have a short but painful experience of migration. I know many others who would be happy to share their emotions."
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
During the next meeting of the women's mutual assistance group in Vani, the participants shared various information with each other. One part of the meeting was devoted to digital literacy.
The group members always attend the meetings with great interest. Such meeting was held in the village Khurcha (Zugdidi municipality), Kobuleti, Chokhatauri. In accordance with the needs of the women's mutual assistance group members, sewing courses were opened in Tskaltubo, which is very important for them.
Some of the meetings - in Tskaltubo, Tsalenjikha, Terjola, Kutaisi, Senaki, Khobi - were held online, but no less active and interesting.
A psychologist participated in the meetings together with a digital literacy teacher, who gave the participants useful advice. The group members got acquainted with new materials on our web page https://sosfsokhumi.ge/ – “Digital Service Center for Women Victims of Violence”. Project Assistant Nino Chabukiani notes: “During the meetings, we talked about civil initiatives. The group members filled out questionnaires where they recorded these initiatives. They are interested in different areas of work – poultry farming, cooking, cutting and sewing. These and other areas are presented in the questionnaires. According to the women, support for their initiatives is very important.”
The project is implemented with the support the Equality Fund (Canada)
During information meetings initiated in the municipalities of Terjola, Vani and Chokhatauri, women were introduced to the results of the research "Gender aspects of women's migration" conducted by our organization. It is planned to implement initiatives aimed at preventing migration and reducing its negative consequences, which will be based on the needs of specific communities.
The meetings noted that the migration issue requires multi direction work, although women's groups can also make a small contribution.
The main challenges were identified as: economic empowerment of women and support for women who have started small businesses but do not know how to expand the market.
It was noted that training in these skills will become a tool for preventing migration and will help other women who are afraid to engage in such activities and see migration as the only solution for a better future for their children.
Attention was paid to the consequences of migration - children who grow up without mothers. Particular emphasis was placed on childhood traumas that are not compensated by financial well-being. The women set themselves the goal of working in this area with both children and women migrants in order to promote better relationships between children and mothers.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
Our new research "Gender aspects of women's migration" became the main topic of the meetings held in Senaki, Tskaltubo, Tsalenjikha and Zugdidi (village Khurcha).
The meetings were attended by activists of the Women Support Centers. After the presentation, women's groups actively discussed the ideas for civil initiatives. According to women, it is important to disseminate information about migration, work in direction of supporting children of migrant mothers and the economic empowerment of women. It is also necessary to inform women about protection mechanisms when traveling abroad, and contacts to adress if necessary.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
A civil dialogue with women's groups on the issues of migration was held in Kutaisi. The meeting participants – women representing different social groups – got acquainted with the research of the Women Fund "Sukhumi" "Gender Dimension of the Causes of Women Migration through the Prism of Rights, Social Factors and Intersectional Vulnerability". Then a dialogue regarding the reasons of women migration and its social consequences, measures to prevent migration was held.
The participants gave a number of examples – along with the positive economic effect, the traumatic impact of migration on the women migrants themselves, their family members, especially children. They painfully noted moments of alienation and other psycho-emotional difficulties.
There was a discussion on what efforts, in addition to structural solutions, ordinary members of society can undertake to reduce migration trends and reduce its negative psycho-emotional consequences. Interesting ideas were expressed about community-level activities and the resources needed for them. The next stage is planned to select and implement the most interesting initiatives.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
During the ordinary meetings of women's mutual assistance groups, various cases were discussed, problems and improvement of economic conditions were discussed. In Tskaltubo, women are looking for seasonal work (picking blueberries, nuts or work at seaside resorts). Some of them have such experience and recommend it to others, because additional income will solve many needs.
One of the group members in Khobi was given a smart phone, which will simplify the necessary communication for her.
The members of Kobuleti group are especially grateful to our organization, because no one has shown them so much attention.
The meeting with Chokhatauri group was held online. Psychologist of our organization participated in it. According to the participants of the mutual assistance group, the psychologist's useful advice is a serious support for them.
A great incentive for the participants of the meetings is that such groups operate in 10 municipalities and with the help of project assistant Nino Chabukiani they have the opportunity to share their experiences with each other.
The project is implemented with the support the Equality Fund (Canada)
