On December 3, 2021, by the initiative of the Office of the State Minister for Reconciliation and civil equality with the support of the United Nations Women (UN Women), a regular briefing was held for participants of the Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism and representatives of the civil society organizations. The meeting was attended by members of civil society, representatives of non-governmental women's organizations as well as conflict-affected women, including women living in IDP villages near the conflict dividing line, and also EUMM and representatives of the diplomatic corps accredited in Georgia.
Kate Fearon, Deputy Head of the EU Monitoring Mission in Georgia, Zviad Zviadadze, Head of the Department of State for the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia and Former South Ossetia, and Deputy Director of the Information-Analytical Department of the State Security Service addressed the participants, who focused on the results of recent meetings under the Ergneti Mechanism.
The participants of the meetings listened to the information about the web - page "Digital Resource Center for Violence Victims". A number of questions were asked about the mechanisms by which victims can escape a violent environment. The block of the website, which describes the stories of victims of violence appeared to be interesting. It was mentioned that these stories will be an example to many women.
In November, online meetings were held with representatives of Vani, Tsalenjikha, Terjola and Tkibuli municipalities.
The project is implemented with the support the Equality Fund (Canada)
Information meetings were held online with Khoni initiative groups.
The members of the youth group received information about the international campaign "16 Active Days Against Violence Towards the Women". They condemn any types of violence and discussed the activities they would conduct in the framework of the campaign.
The members of the Women Initiative Group actively discussed the technical aspects of conducting focus groups, interviews and online surveys. Members of both groups have experience of similar researches. During the meetings, they analyzed the challenges they faced during the previous research. Envisaged all above mentioned, they will start research process in December.
The project is implemented with the support of the USAID
Village Ingiri (Zugdidi Municipality). There is a kindergarten "Tsitelkuda" in the compact settlement of IDPs from Abkhazia, where IDPs and local children study.
The kindergarten has been operating since 1997, with a rent in a non-standard two-storey building and does not meet the needs of IDPs and conflict-affected families in terms of access to preschool services.
The advocacy group collected signatures and submitted a letter to the City Hall requesting the adequate infrastructure for children of 150 families. The group members attended the budget discussion and received feedback from City Hall on the issue raised by them.
In parallel, the advocacy group has created an informal space where kindergarten teachers and psychologists meet parents and hold interesting discussions about the educational process.
The project is implemented with the support of Kvinna till Kvinna,
women’s Foundation (Sweden)
Members of Tskaltubo Women Initiative Group are preparing for the next research. During the meeting, they once again discussed the technical side of the focus group and interviews. The risks associated with online researches were identified.
Group members have a practice of conducting research. In addition, they received thematic training on skills of conducting the focus group and in-depth interview. This experience will help them to plan and manage the process properly.
Members of Tskaltubo youth clubs discussed the activities to be carried out within the framework of the campaign. According to them, the 16-day campaign is a good opportunity to protest against violence, both youth clubs will join the international campaign with several activities.
The project is implemented with the support of the USAID
During the meeting with the members of Senaki Women Initiative Group, the participants talked about the main details of the focus groups and the interview process. They shared experiences: what should be done in order to receive the necessary information, what should be considered when selecting respondents. Group members will be involved in the research from next month and similar consultations will have a positive impact on the research process.
The members of Senaki Youth Initiative Group discussed the activities to be carried out within the framework of the 16-day campaign and agreed on common views. Video appeals, actions, street polls - Senaki youth will join the global protest against violence with several activities
The project is implemented with the support of the USAID
In frames of the Fund “Sukhumi” advocacy campaign, the activists are trying to address the needs of IDP families and the local community in 7 Baramia Street, Zugdidi: Citizens using municipal transport are not provided with bus stops, which causes inconvenience for women (who take care of the family - shopping for the family, going to the pharmacy, carrying children to school, etc.), schoolchildren, people with disabilities, the elderly.
A meeting was held with the Mayor, a representative of the MP Bureau, at the Infrastructure Service. Signatures were collected and the relevant letter was submitted to the City Hall.
The project is implemented with the support of Kvinna till Kvinna,
women’s Foundation (Sweden)
In frames of the advocacy campaign, it is important to work with a long-term prospect in support of IDP youth and conflict victims. In school No. 12 of the Abkhazian Autonomous Republic (in Zugdidi), in cooperation with the administration, the staff and the pupils, there was a willingness to arrange a youth space on the basis of the school so that teenagers could hold interesting meetings, discussions in an informal emviroment and think about the development of entrepreneurial skills.
Within the framework of the project, under the leadership of the activist of the Fund "Sukhumi" Mariam Narmania, meetings were held on the topics: "Ecology and climate change", "Women's rights". Young people were actively involved and had interesting discussions on various issues.
The project is implemented with the support of Kvinna till Kvinna,
women’s Foundation (Sweden)
A working meeting of the members of the Women Peacekeeping Coalition organized by the Fund "Sukhumi" was held. Once again, the findings of the research of the women, girls, IDPs and victims‘ needs of Zugdidi municipality were discussed. Specific problems were selected that will be advocated durin monthly campaigns.
The advocacy campaign will be carried out by 7 groups: organizations - members of the coalition and Women Initiative Groups.
The list of issues, advocacy of which begins, is the following: creation of youth space in the community on the conflict separation line, social infrastructure in the new place of IDP resettlement, the availability of water supply and high-quality service in the clinics, issues of municipal activities to protect victims of domestic violence.
Advocacy groups have already started preparatory work and the search for the necessary information.
The project is implemented with the support of Kvinna till Kvinna,
women’s Foundation (Sweden)
A member of the Women Peace Coalition - Association "Mercury" (Zugdidi) is actively involved in the advocacy campaign of the Fund "Sukhumi". Using years of experience in assisting victims of domestic violence, the organization advocates for the improvement of the provision of services to victims of domestic violence in the municipal budget.
Zugdidi Municipality is one of the first to introduce assistance programs to victims of violence. During the discussion of the 2022 budget, this issue was also discussed with the qualified non-governmental sector. Members of the advocacy group continue to consult with the financial, legal services.
In case of appropriate support, Zugdidi Municipality will introduce another innovation - the use of outsourcing method to provide qualified services to victims
The project is implemented with the support of Kvinna till Kvinna,
women’s Foundation (Sweden)