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)

A psychologist of the Fund “Sukhumi” held meetings in five municipalities, in Women Support Centers of (Khurcha/Zugdidi, Tskaltubo, Senaki, Vani, Terjola). The main topic of the meetings was "Violence against women and the importance of relationships."

These meetings imply support and care, which is especially important for those who have ever faced violence. Violence is not only physical (blows, beatings), it is often silence, fear, offensive words and loss of self-esteem. Often violence occurs quietly, within the walls of the family, from where no sounds are heard. According to the psychologist, this is why meetings and personal communication with such women are necessary to tell them: "You are not alone"! One meeting can give strength, woman can start to speak, ask for help, and we can support and save her.

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)

The doors of our organization's Rehabilitation Center are always open to those who need support.

A 25-year-old woman, a mother of three children, intimidated and humiliated, addressed the center after a difficult experience. On the very first day, she noted the sensitivity of the professional team.

The joint efforts of a psychologist, lawyer, social worker and assistant working with children gave the following result: "The reality exceeded all expectations. I could not even imagine that such a support service existed somewhere... Here I really felt warmth, attention and care"...

For the first time, she believed that she could start new life. Respect, care and sincere support became the first steps on the path of self development.

This is just one story. Every woman who comes to the center writes her own story...

The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot

 für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)

Representatives of our organization Mery Gelashvili and Larisa Shengelia, as well as community workers from five target municipalities (Kutaisi, Khoni, Tskaltubo, Zugdidi, Poti) participated in a two-day training that took place in Tbilisi on the topic of social activism and behavior change.

The training was attended by 24 people from three partner organizations (Association of IDP Women "Consent ", Charitable Humanitarian Women Fund "Sukhumi" and Women's Information Center).

Participants were introduced to the functioning of a mutual assistance group and a model of behavior change. During group work, they identified community needs, behavioral barriers, and developed practical ideas for changes adapted to community needs. The training was conducted by invited experts from the UN Women and behavioral scientists. The knowledge gained will help participants achieve consistent changes in their communities. 

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)

Where is the highest risk of domestic violence?

The map we have compiled will show you the level of violence risk in 11 target municipalities of Western Georgia.

The map of domestic violence/violence against women risk indicators was posted on our website "Digital resource center of services for women victims of violence" two years ago: https://sosfsokhumi.ge/

The map allows you to assess the risks and quality of security from domestic violence and violence against women in the municipalities of the target regions for a timely response to existing threats - https://sosfsokhumi.ge/map

The project is implemented with the support the Equality Fund(Canada)

In Poti, in the IDP settlement, a meeting of mutual assistance group participants was held, where the essence of social activity was discussed, its strengths and weaknesses, community problems and strategies for empowering women were analyzed.

At the beginning of the meeting, the participants were introduced to the concept of social activity - as a tool from individual mutual assistance to collective changes; how active participation in public life contributes to the empowerment of women at the personal and community levels. It was noted that group work, sharing resources and creating support networks are especially important for IDP women, who often face social and economic risks.

Together with the participants, a charter of the mutual assistance group was developed and signed, defining internal rules and principles of work. Pre- and post-questionnaires on social mobilization were also filled out.

The meeting also identified problems: the group participants identified challenges in the IDP settlement and ranked them by priority.

The meeting is important both in terms of individual empowerment and for developing a culture of women's solidarity and care for the community - a process oriented towards social change.

The ordinary meeting of Kutaisi mutual assistance group was devoted to the concept of social activity. The meeting was attended by women from the IDP settlements of Choma and Nikea.

The participants filled out pre- and post-questionnaires on social activity. They already fully understand the definition, essence, purpose and results of this term. During the meeting, the charter of the mutual assistance group was developed.

The most important thing was to identify the problems of the communities. The group must take care to solve these problems.

The topic of social activity became the prior one at the ordinary meeting of Tskaltubo mutual assistance group. The meeting was attended by women from four IDP settlements of Tskaltubo municipality.

The participants filled out pre and post questionnaires on social activity. They understood what social activity is, how it works, what results it can give...

A charter of the mutual assistance group was developed at the meeting. During the conversation, the problems of all four settlements and ways to solve them were also discussed.