At the invitation of EUMM Georgia, Ekaterine Gamakharia, Head of the Tbilisi Office of the Women’s Fund “Sukhumi,” delivered a lecture on: “Women, Peace and Security in Practice; Human Security and Violence Against Women in Conflict-Affected Communities.”
The meeting was held within the framework of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign. Ekaterine presented the key areas of the organization’s work, recent research findings, and the main security challenges faced by internally displaced and conflict-affected women — including rising social and economic risks, high prevalence of violence, and limited access to support services.
The discussion highlighted the importance of a human-centered approach in designing and implementing security policies, as well as the need to strengthen cooperation between civil society and international security actors.
The project is implemented with the support of Brot für die Welt.
On December 4, at the Kutaisi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Women’s Fund “Sukhumi” held a regional conference within the global “16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence” campaign. The event aimed to summarize long-standing practices in violence prevention and response, as well as the key results from 2025.
Around 70 participants attended from 10 municipalities across Imereti, Guria, Samegrelo, and Adjara, including mobilizers of Women’s Support Centers, para-specialists of social work, youth groups, civil society organizations, and international partners.
Discussions explored violence prevention not only through individual cases but also within broader systemic and structural contexts.
The conference featured three thematic panels:
On-the-ground work with women’s groups
Risk identification, first-line support, trauma response, and strengthening community-based mechanisms.
Youth-led initiatives
Youth representatives presented campaigns and community projects, highlighting the new generation’s motivation and ability to contribute to positive change.
Work with women survivors of violence
Focus areas: psychological support, economic empowerment, rehabilitation services, media literacy, and digital safety.
A key insight from the final discussion was that technology-facilitated abuse is one of the fastest-growing threats in 2025, including online surveillance, cyberbullying, unauthorized account access, and digital manipulation.
The project is implemented with the support of Brot für die Welt.
Women's mutual assistance groups help each other, motivate, and strengthen each other. It's especially interesting when those gathered hear stories of successful women, and the psychologist encourages them to improve their self-esteem.
Kutaisi women's mutual assistance group had a successful guest. This happened at meetings in Tskaltubo and Terjola also. This provided great motivation for the group members.
Productive meetings were held in Khurcha and Kobuleti. Women discussed a variety of issues, including support for the Fund “Sukhumi”. In Terjola, our forum theater held performance for the group participants, and after the performances, a frank and emotional discussion was held.
Meetings were held in all groups in November. Each new meeting is proof that our organization is committed to empowering women living in the regions.
The project is implemented with the support the Equality Fund (Canada)
At women's mutual assistance group meetings, special attention was paid to our organization's website, "Digital Resource Center for Women Survivors of Violence," https://sosfsokhumi.ge/, which provides women with all the necessary information.
All participants were also provided with information about the "16 Day Campaign Against Gender-based Violence".
Participants asked numerous questions about the campaign, municipal programs, and assistance for socially vulnerable families, all of which received comprehensive answers.
All groups will actively participate in the 16-day campaign, as it is being carried out worldwide to support women like them.
The project is implemented with the support the Equality Fund (Canada)
Based on the findings of our monitoring report, "Why do Women Leave?" (https://fsokhumi.ge/index.php/ka/publikacia/informatia-zaladobis-tsinaagmdeg/item/15769-2025-07-08-16-30-02), the monitoring and advocacy group held a series of discussions and consultative meetings in collaboration with community leaders and youth in ten municipalities and then developed civic initiatives:
Zugdidi (village Khurcha) - "Information Campaign on Migration in Three Villages of Zugdidi Municipality"
Senaki - "Economic Empowerment of Women for Migration Prevention"
Vani - "Information for Women Empowerment"
Chokhatauri - "Together We Will Overcome Everything"
Khoni - "Common Initiatives to Prevent Migration"
Khobi - "Intergenerational Dialogue to Prevent Migration"
The photos clearly demonstrate how impressive is the work done on these initiatives. In Chokhatauri, a space for informal meetings to continue the dialogue was created. A children's corner wasa opened in the Khoni community education center, allowing children to have fun while their parents study. In Khobi, the organization “Toliskuri” purchased books and opened a reading club as part of the initiative. In Khurcha, women already have their own printer, enabling them to print informational and other necessary materials. Manicure classes were opened in Seneki.
The goals of the initiatives are to raise awareness on the social and emotional consequences of migration, reduce the negative impact of migration, promote healthy relationships between adolescents and migrant parents, strengthen the practical skills of IDP women, and expand employment opportunities.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
The psychologist of the organization met with women's groups at the Women Support Centers of Khoni, Senaki, and Tskaltubo. The topic of the meetings was violence, and the goal was to inform participants about violence prevention and support mechanisms. Participants received individual and group consultation and discussed steps that can promote women's safety.
Further similar meetings are planned.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
Mobilization meetings of Women Support Centers covered new beneficiaries. Participants learned about the Fund “Sukhumi” website, "Digital Resource Center for Women Survivors of Violence." Information about women's economic empowerment programs and victim support services was of particular interest.
"Such useful information must be provided to all women, as they are interested in it. Therefore, information dissemination must continue," the beneficiaries noted.
In parallel with the information campaign, new families under the risk were identified through monitoring in the Women Support Centers of Senaki, Khobi, and Tsalenjikha. Based on the case studies, mobilizers and paraprofessionals will initially work closely with these families. Then a psychologist will continue the work to address the risks of conflict.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
How relevant is the topic of domestic violence in society? What are the needs of families under the risk? What types of support are important? These questions were discussed during informational meetings held at Women Support Centers.
Participants recalled specific cases and emphasized the difficult situation for women when the rapist has mental health problems. According to them in such cases, women are under particular risk and find it difficult to overcome the problem.
Participants also discussed the need to work with the rapist, noting the high level of aggression in society, which is demonstrated in family conflicts.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
The women's mutual assistance group meetings took place in an unusual way. Everyone saw the results and benefits of the work. The winning initiatives, and those that did not receive funding, and future plans were discussed.
An initiative has begun in Senaki – the poultry farm will be further developed. In Khobi, motors for pumps were purchased, needed for the IDP community. In Tsalenjikha, women were given a sewing machine and a freezer – just what they wanted for their business.
In Terjola, two winners were given tools and materials needed for their micro-business. They took part in the festival – City Day – where they presented their creations: bags, brooches, collars, various accessories...
Funding of initiatives is a great incentive for mutual assistance group members. In the second stage, everyone will join because they have seen that women's mutual assistance groups are truly designed to help and strengthen each other.
The project is implemented with the support the Equality Fund (Canada)
