A radio program of Fund Sukhumi on the topic "Local Gender Policy and Practice - Achievements and Challenges" was broadcasted on December 18 via radio "Dzveli kalaki".

What is needed to promote equal and democratic governance at the local level, how important is the gender agenda in local politicy and practice; what can become an instrument for the implementation of gender-based policies; What kind of practice exists in Georgia on gender budgeting and what is the local perspective for its large-scale implementation?

Dialogue in the studio with the author of the research was supplemented by interviews with representatives of non-governmental organizations and local executive and legislative authorities.

Particularly interesting were the visions of women who have been elected to local government during recent elections. They talked about gender budgeting, the need for gender education and capacities of local officials.

Listeners received detailed information about the project of Fund “Sukhumi“, which will propose the introduction of a gender agenda and the strategy for the implementation of gender reforms. The strategy will be based on field studies, existing international experience, large-scale meetings held during the project, which highlight local gender needs and visions and where institutional strengthening of local Gender Advisory Councils are of particular importance.

The program also announced a future meeting with stakeholders responsible for the gender policy of local self-government of Samegrelo.

The project is implemented with the support of the Visegrad Fund

Issues of human security - what threats were revealed for different age and social groups of women in western Georgia. Where do they feel more secure and in which areas they find it necessary to conduct significant reforms. What recommendations were developed as a result of the research and what is the feedback - the representatives of Fund "Sukhumi" spoke about the activities carried out under the joint Georgian-Abkhazian project and future strategies for the advocacy of women's issues in the air of Radio “Rioni”.

During the interview there were evaluations made in Khoni, Tskhaltubo and again there were named specific women issues. It was noted that their advocacy should be started by a group of active women.

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On May 10, a program was aired on the radio “Rioni”, in which the director of the project "People in Need", member of the initiative group of Khoni IDPs and mobilizer of the Women's Support Center of the Fund "Sukhumi" participated. The conversation touched the attitude of IDPs to the project reform, as well as the problems of IDPs and the impact of reform on their families.

(Project of PIN - «Involvement of NGOs working on issues of social protection, in the strategic dialogue in Georgia" - funded by the European Union and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic).

The live of Radio “Dzveli Kalaki” aired a show prepared by the fund “Sukhumi”. It publicized materials of presentation of brochure “Evaluation of women human security level in Wester Georgia”.

There was an interview, what do the women thing and what is dangerous for the women in Poti and village Khurcha, also what should be done for decreasing the risks.

The program was attended by the guests – assistant of the project of the fund “Sukhumi”, who spoke about activities in frames of the project and achieved results.

Press-release

February 28, 2017, Kutaisi

"Empowering women to develop new approaches related to conflict transformation"

Since January 15, 2017 with the financial support of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of Switzerland, the fund “Sukhumi” has started working on a new project aimed at empowering women on both sides of the conflict to enhance their role in society and influence the process of conflict transformation and building a sustainable Peace.

The duration of the project is 15.01.2017-15.01.2018.

Project activities will be implemented in Western Georgia.

The necessity of the project is argued by the fact that, according to common practice, in official structures on both sides of the conflict men dominate, whereas women can be successful in the "third sector". The potential and experience of women are also used in public diplomacy in a small dose.

According to the project, in order to achieve lasting peace it is very important to work with young people, especially with girls who are open to dialogue, who are able to seek and find compromise solutions for solving the most pressing problems. A significant part of the project is to increase knowledge on conflict transformation and women's participation in building peace.

The target groups of the project are young women who will gain the necessary skills to participate in peacekeeping activities; Representatives of official structures involved in the process of settling the Georgian-Abkhazian conflict; Civil society, representatives of state bodies, which are considered as supporters in achieving the main goal of the project.

As a result of the project, a safe platform will be created to discuss humanitarian problems between women activists of civil society of the conflicting parties; The role of women in decision-making on the peaceful settlement of the conflict will be enhanced; research will be conducted and proposals and recommendations will be developed for presentation to the public, a positive public opinion will be formed on the need for women to participate in decision-making, including building sustainable peace and promoting human security; The society will disseminate information about the successful experience of "women's diplomacy". This will be a step forward in the way of a positive transformation of conflicts and the building of a lasting peace.

Cultural-Humanitarian Fund “Sukhumi”

Kutaisi, 6 Mgaloblishvili Street

Tel: 27 29 02

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

www.fsokhumi.ge

The project  is implemented with the support of  Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA