On October 6-9, the feminist forum "Body and Environment: Feminist Ideas and Practices of Organizing Care, Resistance, and Solidarity" was held.
During four days, together with queer and feminist activists, researchers, and forum participants, Representatives of Women's Fund "Sukhumi" - Nino Korinteli and Linda Chikhladze were involved in a process to created a safe space for the exchange and discussion of interdisciplinary, local, and regional knowledge and experiences.
Together with the WISG team, we also hope that these inspiring days will certainly lay the foundation for new opportunities for thinking, working, and collaborating. Among them, is to continue the forum's tradition of creating and transforming new spaces for queer feminist imagination, knowledge, and practice.
During the meetings held by the women support centers of Vani, Terjola, Tsalenjikha and Chokhatauri, the challenges that exist in the municipalities in terms of assistance to victims of violence and the use of services were highlighted. The meetings showed that informing the population about the Department for Children’s Rights Protection and Support will contribute to the effectiveness of the response mechanisms.
Women support centers identified four new cases of violence – the response to these cases will be continued using various services.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
The advocacy group held an information meeting in the village Rokhi (Bagdati municipality), which was attended by school teachers, kindergarten teachers and high school students, members of the inter-department commission, employees of the City Hall Department for Children's Rights Protection and Support.
The participants received information about the establishment, structure, rights and duties of the inter-department commission working on issues of violence against women and domestic violence. The participants were also introduced to the structure of the Department for Children's Rights Protection and Support and the results of the monitoring of its work. Participants noted that they already know when to address this department.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
During the online information meeting, the representatives of Khoni Women's Network discussed the research document conducted within the framework of the project.
Particular attention was paid to the discussion of the data, which show the problems of the IDP settlement of Khoni municipality.
Priority problems were identified at the meeting, advocacy of which will be started by the group together with the local self-government.
The project is implemented with the support
of the UN Women organization
As a result of the research carried out within the framework of the project, the representatives of Zugdidi Women's Network have identified the priority problems that will be submitted to the local government in order to advocate them.
During the online information meeting, the IDP women initiative group of Zugdidi discussed exactly these problems. Their solution will be good for displaced women and young people, as well as for every resident of the municipality.
The project is implemented with the support
of the UN Women organization
Women from Ukraine - a new blog has appeared on the website of the Women Fund "Sukhumi" since March.
The main characters are women - from Kherson, Chuguev, Kyiv, Kharkiv, Berdyansk, Vinnytsia...
These are sad and hopeful stories.
A few phrases from different stories:
"When I was a child, I remember that grandmothers and grandfathers repeated one and the same thing - let there be peace and we don't want anything else. We had peace and laughed at what they said. They had experienced a war and knew the value of peace. Now I understand the meaning of these words very well", - Katerina Mirnaya.
"Mother has a family farm: chickens, eggs, vegetables. She has sown potatoes in three vegetable gardens... she is waiting for us and prepares everything for us", - Alina Dziubinskaya.
"I have two mothers in Kherson - mine and my husband’s, everything is there - house, apartment, friends, relatives, I miss them and I am afraid of losing them. All I want is to go to my country soon", - Tatyana Khodakovskaya.
https://blogofwomanfundsukhumi.tilda.ws/
The blog has already told the stories of 15 women. Stories that are similar to each other and are different at the same time...
This blog must be read by everyone, in order to feel the cruelty of war and do everything for peace...
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
"Before arriving to the rehabilitation center, I suffered a lot. Firstly, I didn't know how I would leave everyday problems and at the same time, how I would be accepted here. I have never been away from my family for all my 48 years. In one word, I was worried.
I felt a warm environment at the first meeting.
Then I met a psychologist. I felt amazing attention. I my surprise I told her many things about me.
I have a good memory, I remember everything. When the father got drunk, he often quarreled with the mother. That's why I didn't love him. In the age of 5-6 I was like an old woman. I had a lack of many things. My mother often said that she was doing everything for you, and I blamed myself, I asked myself why did I appear in this world...
I still have many problems. But I forgot everything in the rehabilitation center. I found new acquaintances, common problems and the feeling that you are not alone. That is why I am full of hope and energy. We need such relationships, compassion, listening to each other. My little boy is also happy, he likes to be here...
Now I understand how I should have lived as a mother, as a woman. I am coming out of the closed circle in which I was. Thanks to everyone who helped me"...
From the beginning of October, the formation of new groups of youth empowerment centers began.
In Zugdidi, Terjola, Kobuleti, Senaki and Tkibuli, trainings were held on the topic of conflict management and violence prevention (only one of these meetings was held in online format).
Young people were involved in the work with great responsibility. This form of informal education was quite interesting and impressive for them. They are ready to show initiatives and conduct various activities before the next meeting.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
One of the women from Ukraine is undergoing treatment for oncology, and we actively help her, we pay for medical procedures. Our organization is the only one that supports her in this difficult period of life. After the medical tests, we heard good news, the 4th stage of cancer was not confirmed and she continues to fight...
There are 337 refugees from Ukraine in our database. In October, we added 16 people to the database. Assistance was provided to 31 families and 2 women. We continue to pay rent for three families, another 9 families were added to this category this month.
We continue to look for jobs. One of our beneficiaries managed to get a job in a garment factory. There is currently a vacancy for a man, for the position of a baker.
Everyone who wants to have consultations with psychologists, participate in psycho-rehabilitation sessions conducted by Georgian and Ukrainian psychologists. We also offer legal advice. We were addressed by a single mother, upon arrival she was deceived, under the guise of selling her home, they took 1,500 $ from her and disappeared - unfortunately, the scammers were not be found. She addressed a lawyer, he still helps, brought her to us. From our side, she received a package of products, we also helped with paying for housing.
A public discussion was held by the Women Fund "Sukhumi" within the framework of the campaign "All agains Femicide". Representatives of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ministry of Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied Territories, Labour, Health, and Social Affairs, Ministry of Justice, Public Defender's Office, National Association of Local Authorities of Georgia. Also women's/youth groups and journalists of various projects of Women Fund "Sukhumi".
According to independent expert Goga Khatiashvili - "There is only one solution, let's listen to everyone!"
The public discussion organized by the Women's Fund "Sukhumi" is another attempt to make the representatives of the legislative, executive and civil sectors speak in one democratic space and in one language to solve common problems.