Psychologist of the Fund “Sukhumi” Ekaterine Kvachakidze held meetings at Samtredia and Tskaltubo Women Support Centers, as well as at the rehabilitation center of the Fund “Sukhumi”.
The main topic of the meetings was “Domestic violence and forms of violence”. Unfortunately, it is difficult for women to talk about their problems loudly, and anonymously they openly express their opinions on paper. According to the psychologist, they have a lack of self-confidence, which prevents them from taking their first steps. The right advice positively changes the life of a victim of violence. This is why women say that meetings with a psychologist are important and it empowers them.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
March turned out to be a busy month for psychologist Manana Gotsiridze. The work was carried out in different formats. About 20 people in the regions received individual online consultations. In Kutaisi, direct work was carried out with 12 beneficiaries. Each of them has their own problems, and the psychologist tries to solve these problems.
Traditionally, comprehensive work was held in the rehabilitation center of the Fund, where women victims of violence were located. The psychologist has done her part of work with these women. She also worked with beneficiaries of the day rehabilitation center, holding group meetings on Fridays.
A group meeting in Khobi with kindergarten staff was important. The topic of the conversation was relevant and useful: how to help children who came to kindergarten to adapt, how to prepare a teacher so that the child is not exposed to stress and trauma. They got acquainted with the peculiarities of the child’s psycho-physiological development with interest.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
March was full of special activity at the Women Support Centers. The topic of discussion was “Women and solidarity, reality and prospects.” At the initiative of the mobilizers, events of various formats were held: information meetings, debates, film screenings and discussions.
Meeting participants recalled stories of successful women and reviewed tools important for achieving success. They also talked about the needs of women and emphasized the need for women's solidarity, especially in the field of protecting women's rights.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
“Sharing Best Practices of Gender-Sensitive Municipal Policies and Programs” was the title of the conference, which was attended by officials from 26 municipalities and regional administrations of Western Georgia.
The participants got acquainted with interesting presentations:
Zugdidi Municipality – practice of the “Women’s Room”;
Chokhatauri Municipality – promoting gender equality and developing gender-sensitive municipal services;
Senaki Municipality - Interdepartmental Commission as a coordinating mechanism in the issues of preventing violence and responding to it;
Kutaisi Municipality – providing psychiatric services to women victims of gender-based violence and domestic violence;
Khoni Municipality – encouraging the inclusion of women in rural support programs;
A group of women from Kutaisi passed training in various directions: working with polymer clay, cutting and sewing, manicure, and making souvenirs from colored epoxy. Then trainings were held for them, during which associate professor of Kutaisi State University Elguja Deisadze taught the participants to form business ideas, rank them and present project proposals.
The third and final stage of the small grants program was the final competition, in which beneficiaries won with their business proposals and received grants for their independent activities.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
Various professional courses were held at Terjola Women Support Center. Then the beneficiaries underwent special training, where they learned to formulate business ideas and present project proposals.
The next stage was the final competition of business projects. As part of the small grants program, the winner beneficiaries were provided with the necessary equipment for business. They can already start working independently and improve their financial situation.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
A meeting of the interdepartmental commission on the prevention of violence against women and/or domestic violence, protection and assistance to victims of violence was held in Chokhatauri municipality.
During the meeting, the results of initiatives implemented with the support of the Women Fund “Sukhumi” were discussed: training on positive parenting; report on a needs research of the families with children, which was carried out in four administrative units for the given moment.
At the meeting, a dialogue about prospects for cooperation between departments and joint future activities was also held.
The project is implemented with the support the Equality Fund (Canada)
At the initiative of the Women Fund “Sukhumi”, together with the head of the Department for the protection of Children’s Rights of Chokhatauri City Hall, a social worker and coordinator of the Mayor representatives, there was held a meeting with community activists and beneficiaries of various programs.
Information was exchanged about the needs of women's groups and challenges in terms of social work. The meeting participants got acquainted with the services of the Fund “Sukhumi”, new municipal programs, and determined cooperation with women on the issues of preventing domestic violence and assisting the victims.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
In March, members of the “Interdepartmental Commission for the Prevention of Violence against Women and/or Domestic Violence, Protection and Assistance to Victims of Violence” of Bagdati Municipality conducted an information campaign to promote the effective functioning of the commission. They held meetings with representatives of the City Hall, managers of preschool institutions and members of the youth council. Participants were informed about the function of the Interdepartmental Commission and the importance of citizen participation in the prevention of domestic violence.
These activities will help to activate the work of the Interdepartmental Commission to identify facts of violence and consider specific cases.
The project is implemented with the support the Equality Fund (Canada)