The Women Fund “Sukhumi”, in partnership with the Charitable - Humanitarian Center “Abkhazeti”, is implementing a project aimed at identifying active women leaders in IDP communities and training them with relevant skills.
In the framework of the project, informational meetings were held in five municipalities of Western Georgia: Kutaisi, Tskaltubo, Khoni, Senaki and Zugdidi, as a result of which 15 women leaders were selected in each municipality for whom training on women's leadership and advocacy issues will be conducted.
Online practical training was provided for moderators of Women's support groups affiliated with the Women's Fund "Sukhumi." The session focused on the crucial topic of the preventing and responding to GBV during the war and in post-war settings. Ekaterine Gamakharia, the head of the Tbilisi office of Women's Fund Sukhumi, led the training session.
During the training, participants gained insights into typical forms of gender-based violence during war and conflict. They engaged in discussions regarding the direct and indirect impacts of armed/violent conflicts on women, girls, and other vulnerable groups.
Psychological consultations and psychotherapeutic sessions are part of the assistance that our organization provides to refugees from Ukraine.
The psychologist of the Women Fund “Sukhumi”, Manana Gotsiridze, actively worked with these people in November. Many years of experience in psycho-rehabilitation of IDPs helps her to understand the emotions of Ukrainians and to choose the best method to work with them. This is why the beneficiaries express pleasure when communicating with her.
During a month, representatives of 6 families contacted a psychologist, and 18 people received consultations. Three of them attend individual psychotherapy sessions.
According to them, this is a great support for Ukrainians living in Kutaisi.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
The Ukrainians who came to us have many problems. The assistance with vouchers that our organization provides is a support for them. But support is also provided in another way: utility bills were paid for 2 families, assistance in paying for apartment rent was provided to 7 families, and telephone communication costs were paid for one family.
Medicines worth 400 GEL were purchased for one of the cancer patients. Another one was paid for doctor’s communication.
One of the refugees, living in Tkibuli, asked for help in purchasing a heating device, and this issue will be resolved soon.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
In recent months, Ukrainians receive vouchers from the Women Fund “Sukhumi”. Depending on the number of family members, one, two or three vouchers worth 100 GEL are issued. Within a month, they can use vouchers to buy necessary products. As Ukrainians note, this system is convenient and practical for them.
In November, 32 families received assistance in the form of vouchers. There are currently 370 people in our database who receive our support. 13 new beneficiaries were added this month.
Although our organization cannot solve many of the challenges and needs of Ukrainian refugees, they greatly appreciate our support.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
Raising awareness about the harmfulness of alcohol and drugs addiction among teenagers - Kutaisi women initiative group is working on this topic as part of the advocacy process. How to give correct information to young people - psychotherapist, narcologist Vakhtang Sikharulidze talked about this issue, according to the participants, it is necessary to hold similar meetings in schools. During the meeting of Kutaisi Youth Club, the members received information about the 16-day international campaign against gender-based violence. The participants identified various activities that the club will implement within the campaign.
In Chisinau, Moldova, Ekaterine Gamakharia, Head of the Women Fund "Sukhumi" representative office in Tbilisi, was honored to lead the Fireside event at a workshop with the inspiring Women's Advisory Board (WAB) for the Moldova Peace Talks, organized by the Folke Bernadotte Academy (FBA) and UN Women. The workshop aimed at empowering WAB members with enhanced advocacy and negotiation skills, specifically addressing the Transnistrian Settlement Process. During the Fireside event, Ekaterine shared experiences of women activists' involvement in Georgia's peace processes, providing a detailed overview of the dynamic of cooperation between peace talks delegates and women's organizations. The session was open, interactive, and filled with enriching discussions.
"I believe in the power of shared experiences and knowledge exchange. Moldovan and Georgian women peace activists can learn from each other, reinforcing our collective commitment to building a more peaceful and inclusive world," said Ekaterine, reflecting on her visit.
Members of Senaki Women Initiative Group held their next planned meeting. The meeting participants evaluated their activities. They reviewed the list of identified issues and talked about the prospects for unresolved problems.
According to the participants, teamwork, gender sensitivity, and a well-designed advocacy plan contributed to solving various problems. Based on the gained experience, work on long-term problems will be continued in future.
The project is implemented with the support
of the UN Women organization
Members of Zugdidi Women Initiative Group gathered for the next meeting. The problems, resolved with the help of the Women Fund “Sukhumi” were noted with pride.
The problem that was voiced to various Ministries and Departments on behalf of the organization was especially emphasized. This was one of the proposals of the group, and it has already been decided: next to the men police officers on the dividing line of Abkhazia there are female police officers too, and it is they who check the women when crossing the Inguri checkpoint. This eliminated a lot of inconvenience.
Each new solved problem is an incentive for further work of the Women Initiative Group.
The project is implemented with the support
of the UN Women organization
