Marina is 28. She was depressed after the death of her husband: “Life stopped, I didn’t know how to live. My mother cried with me. In this condition we were caught by my mother's friend, who advised us to address the psychologist of the Fund "Sukhumi". For almost 8 months, I learned to look at myself in a new way. Step by step, I was filled with hope. I don’t know how to express my gratitude not only for the return of a smile on my face, but also for the light in my mother’s eyes”...
Marina is one of the grateful beneficiaries of the psychologist. There are many of them in different municipalities of Western Georgia.
In September, the meetings of psychologist were held in the Women Support Centers of Vani, Chokhatauri, Senaki and Khurcha (Zugdidi municipality), also in Kobuleti - online. 23 beneficiaries took part in the group and individual meetings.
From September 19 until the end of the month, a comprehensive rehabilitation work was carried out with three women victims of domestic violence. They were placed in the Rehabilitation Center of the Women Fund "Sukhumi" with their children - there were 6 beneficiaries in total. A teacher, a social worker, a lawyer and a psychologist were included in the daily active work.
At the end of the rehabilitation course, one of the beneficiaries (she is 26 years old) said that she felt great support, she already knows that she is not alone. The days spent here gave her and other women more strength and they know how to work on their weaknesses. They received a lot of necessary information, positive, useful advice and decided to open a new page of their life with new power.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
According to the participants, the information exchange meeting (Topic - "Protection of children's rights in Tkibuli Municipality and local cooperation in terms of improving social services") was very interesting and important. It was held on the initiative of the Women Fund "Sukhumi" and Tkibuli Children's Rights Protection and Support Service.
The participants were introduced to the findings of the research conducted by the Fund "Sukhumi", the activities of the Children's Rights Protection and Support Service and the existing challenges.
The heads of the municipality, providers of municipal services and citizens exchanged their opinions. The main challenge was identified - lack of resources for the improvement of services; The need for more flexible legal regulations.
Close cooperation with the civil sector and unification of resources for the assistance of the beneficiaries was highly appreciated.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
A meeting of the Interdepartmental Commission for the Elimination of Violence Against Women was held in the Bagdati City Hall. The meeting was held in the round table format. Together with the members of the commission, the meeting was attended by representatives of the Women Fund "Sukhumi", police officers, teachers, members of the City Council commission and the Department for the protection of Children.
Concrete cases, work with these cases and subsequent response were discussed during the meeting. The issues of violence prevention, victim protection and prospects for cooperation with local government agencies were also discusse
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
The participants discussed the issues of femicide at the events initiated by the women support centers. Short videos on the topic of violence created a good space for discussion.
- How to break the circle of violence, where the response mechanisms need to be strengthened - discussions on these issues continued.
The participants noted that women are not protected, they are still victims of harmful stereotypes. They spoke about strengthening the role of kindergartens and schools with special emphasis.
If we do not help to break the stereotypes, if the consciousness is not improved, the picture will not change – noted the meeting participants.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
Solar energy has been used by people for a long time. Today, the mentioned issue is especially relevant. 10 informational meetings held in Khoni, Vani, Terjola, Senaki, Tskaltubo and Tkibuli were devoted to the topic of renewable energy efficiency.
The participants received full information on how efficient and profitable the solar battery is. The participants were interested in many things: how many liters are in the tank? What is the price? Does the price depend on the volume? Can it be installed individually in the flats? Can it be it damaged by natural phenomena?
Participants of the information meetings received competent answers to all questions.
Representatives of various vulnerable groups actively participated in the information meetings held in Terjola and Akhalsopeli (Senaki municipality).
The participants noted that such meetings and receiving correct information are of great importance in the situation when the number of femicide facts increase. They got acquainted with the website of the Women Fund "Sokhumi" https://sosfsokhumi.ge/.
According to them, the mentioned webpage should be distributed to the general public, which will have a positive impact in terms of violence prevention.
The project is implemented with the support the Equality Fund (Canada)
A meeting was held in the village Akhalsofel - Senaki municipality.It was attended by school representatives, teachers and parents. The coordinator of the City Hall Children's Rights and Support Department and the social worker of the same department were invited to the meeting.
The participants of the meeting got acquainted with the structure of the department, received information about existing programs, challenges and needs. In their opinion, more attention should be paid to public awareness, needs of vulnerable groups, support of crisis families.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
The advocacy group of the Women Fund "Sukhumi" held an information meeting in the school of the village Zeda Vani (Vani municipality). The meeting was attended by school teachers, upper graders, employees of the City Hall department for children's rights and their protection, the secretary of the Gender Equality Council.
The participants got acquainted with the structure of the department, as well as with the conclusions that were made as a result of the monitoring of work in this department. They noted that they did not have such in-depth information and they already know when to contact them. Emphasis was placed on the need for cooperation between the school and the department to improve the condition of vulnerable adolescents.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
