The project of the Women Support Center “Local Cooperation - Prevention of Domestic Violence” was summarized In Lanchkhuti. It was noted that the work in frames of the six-month project was effective - the referral mechanism entities were provided with information on how to act in case of identification of the facts of violence. The series of meetings in the kindergartens was continued with the inclusion of a lawyer, psychologist and conflict expert.
New groups of professional courses work in the Fund “Sukhumi” Day Center. Teaching is carried out in three directions: polymer clay, sewing, accounting. Women and girls are learn new professions - this will help in their economic empowerment.
The work is carried out in frames of the project “Supporting the Domestic Violence Prevention System” in partnership with the Polish organization Human Doc Foundation.
Women initiative groups of the Fund “Sukhumi” carries out monitoring of domestic violence through the Gender Responsive Early Warning System (GREWS).
Field monitors have been conducting surveys in Tskaltubo, Kutaisi and in the villages along the conflict dividing line: Khurcha, Koki, Ganmukhuri, Orsantia, Shamgona (Zugdidi municipality), Pakhulani, Tskhoushi (Tsalenjikha municipality).
The information obtained through the methods questionnaire and in-depth interviews will make it possible to determine how relevant is the topic of domestic violence among internally displaced persons, how accessible are services that support the victim of violence for those people who live near the conflict dividing line, or move around the territory of Gali.
A workshop for mobilizers of the Women Support Centers was held in the office - they summarized the current work, planned activities in frames of the campaign of “16 active days against violence towards the women”. Tthe mobilizers identified the problems existing in the municipality and worked on project ideas. It was noted that such meetings are important in terms of sharing information and drafting plans for the future.
In frames of Senaki Women Support Center small project “Parents for a Healthy Generation”, a training was held on the topic “Types and signs of domestic violence, referral ways and mechanisms”. The training was held in the kindergarten of the village of Menji. The training was attended by the director of the kindergarten, teachers and parents. The desire to join the work was also expressed by the representatives of the community and the village board. Participants received information on how to identify facts of violence and how to respond to it.
Educators and teachers of Poti kindergarten No. 11 attended the training, where the issues of gender and domestic violence were discussed. Attention was paid to the mechanisms of response and on the responsibility of preschool institution staff to identify children from families of risk-group.
In addition, the meeting of the lawyer and psychologist with the educators was held in the kindergarten No. 3. The psychologist worked with children using art therapy. Educators also joined the working process.
These activities are the part small project of the Poti Women Support Center.
The small project of Ozurgeti Women Support Center is ongoing – in frames of the project, the meetings of a psychologist and a lawyer with the educators of preschool premises was held. The meetings were important, as the participants are informed about their responsibilities.
There was also a meeting with members of the group, which was created in frames of the project, and is responsible for identifying and responding to the facts of violence.
Women Support Centers of the Fund “Sukhumi” conducted a series of round tables in 10 municipalities in Western Georgia: Kutaisi, Tskaltubo, Khoni, Terjola, Senaki, Poti, Zugdidi, Ozurgeti, Lanchkhuti, Tsalenjikha.
The meetings were dedicated to the international campaign of 16 active days against gender-based violence. The importance of the campaign, the relevance of the problem of violence, existing mechanisms and challenges were discussed. The meetings were held on the background of active discussions, as they were attended by people, ailing to solve the problem: representatives of local government and the Ministry of Internal Affairs, social workers, teachers, youth, and beneficiaries of the centers.
Today the campaign of "16 active days against violence towards the women" have started Therefore, the mobilization meetings that took place in November were dedicated to this campaign. The mobilizers of the Women Support Centers of Senaki, Kutaisi, Khoni, Khurcha / Koki (Zugdidi municipality) and Pakhulani (Tsalenjikha municipality) spoke about the history of the campaign and its importance, as well as about the services existing in concrete municipalities.
Despite the fact that Georgian legislation, international laws and conventions ratified by the state prohibit discrimination, there are still frequent violations of rights and violence against women. The issues that would be advocated were raised at the meetings.
“How to create your own small business” - trainings on this topic were held as part of the small project of Terjola Women Support Center. The participants were provided with the necessary information so that they could improve their economic situation.
Also a dialogue with the preacher was organized. Such meetings give young people the opportunity to create a space for discussion in order to observe events, identify weaknesses and timely respond to problems.
In frames of the project, meetings were held with parents and students in Terjola school number 2 and in the school of the village of Alisubani - with the inclusion of a conflict expert and psychologist of the Fund "Sukhumi". The meeting was in the format of questions and answers. Participants received advices on how to resolve conflict situations.