Women mutual assistance groups have joined the international campaign "16 active days against gender-based violence ". This campaign empowers women and helps them find more supporters at the local level.

All groups, together with local governments, try to solve their problems. A psychologist from the Women Fund “Sukhumi” presented at several meetings and began working on difficult cases.

Group members talk openly about problems. The meetings were attended by representatives of the City Hall, social services and the gender council, who are ready to get involved in the advocacy process and help women achieve their goals.

The December meetings were distinguished by the fact that group members were awarded with certificates of gratitude for their trust and cooperation. This is a good motivation for them.

The project is implemented with the support the Equality Fund (Canada)

Training on the topic “Women’s leadership, self-presentation, public speech” was held in Senaki, in the IDP village.

Leaders and women activists from 15 different homeowners’ associations took part in the training. They were given information about leadership qualities and important skills that are necessary for the leader.

The second part was even more interesting - about self-presentation and public speech.

The participants actively participated in the discussion of the topic with their stories and practical examples. According to them, the training was useful, and the knowledge gained will be reflected in their practical activities.

The work is carried out in partnership with the Center “Abkhazeti” within the framework of the project “Support of the conflict transformation in the South Caucasus and Moldova”.

“Leadership, presentation, public speech” - this topic became the topic of the training held at Tskaltubo Innovation Center.

Leaders of homeowners’ association living in the IDP community took part in the training. Practical trainings, thematic videos, and exercises improved the theoretical material.

Participants noted that such trainings are important for them because they develop their skills and competencies.

Participants of the training had the opportunity to listen to representatives of the center “Abkhazeti” and receive the necessary information about the services they offer to IDPs.

The work is carried out in partnership with the Center “Abkhazeti” within the framework of the project “Support of the conflict transformation in the South Caucasus and Moldova”.

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.

The Women Fund “Sukhumi”, in partnership with the Gender Equality Council of Tsalenjikha Municipality, held a series of information meetings with women. The meetings were held in the town Jvari and the villages: Nakifu, Lia, Pakhulani, Sachino, Jgali.

Participants were informed about the global campaign of “16 active days against gender-based violence”, specially prepared information booklets were distributed, and meeting participants with orange ribbons expressed support for the campaign.

According to the Ukrainians, we remain the only organization that consistently helps them in many issues.

There are 387 people in our database, 17 new ones were added in December. Assistance with vouchers was provided to 39 families. There was also another type of support: we paid utility bills for 4 families, rent costs for 6 families and telephone costs for one person.

11 Ukrainians took part in the event of the Women Fund “Sukhumi”, which was dedicated to the completion of the campaign of “16 active days against gender-based violence women”. Three of them expressed gratitude and highly appreciated the work of the fund, the consultations of a psychologist and a lawyer, who at different stages provided and continue to provide them with assistance. During this meeting, the women got to know each other and decided to communicate regularly. Yulia Rezvan expressed special gratitude for the opportunity - she bakes, and she was ordered sweet cookies for this meeting. This is a big assistance for her, and she is very glad that “in this difficult time, we are supporting women from Ukraine in every possible way.”

The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot

 für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)

The New Year is coming, and the owners and guests of the Rehabilitation Center of the Women Fund "Sukhumi", have created a beautiful New Year's atmosphere.

In December, another group of victims of violence was here - two women with children, 6 people in total. During their stay, they passed comprehensive work with a psychologist, lawyer, and social worker. The teacher worked with the children, they spent interesting and creative time together...

During 2023, more than 30 women with their children received our support.

Psychologist Manana Gotsiridze shared with us the story of one of the women. Nani (conventional name) is 45 years old. She was brought from one of our target municipalities with two adult children.

Nani left home several times and returned after negotiations and persuasion. Three years ago she even called the police, but then withdrew the statement.

“People still talk about me, this is the woman who wanted to put her husband in prison. Mother did everything to convince me to stay with my husband - it’s not good to be called divorced, be patient, we will help you, where to return, your daughter-in-law is at home and your place is not here, you are already a guest. After I got married, I got lost and still can’t find myself. Only children give motivation, but I no longer want children to be in this environment. Before this, I was never able to close the doors behind me. I hope this time it will work.”

The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot

 für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)

Within the framework of the 16-day global campaign youth activities started and will continue until the end of December.

For the given moment, in 10 municipalities, about 1,000 young people took part in thematic discussions, trainings, exhibitions, street actions and performances related to the elimination and prevention of violence.

“The main thing that was emphasized this year is the special partnership of local authorities, educational resource centers, youth departments, school directorates, teachers and parents in our campaign. Our constructive and effective steps have led to the main thing - trust: everything we do is for the proper education of young people,” noted the assistant of working with the youth Nino Chabukiani.

Trainers who conduct training at Youth Empowerment Centers in 10 municipalities talk about the significant contribution of youth to the campaign:

The training course is actively continuing at the Youth Empowerment Centers. Young people get acquainted with new topics with interest, get used to individual or group work, and a culture of discussion.

The December trainings coincided with the information campaign “16 active days against gender-based violence”. Therefore, it was decided that all ten centers should be included in the campaign (Samtredia, Terjola, Vani, Bagdati, Senaki, Zugdidi, Tsalenjikha, Khobi, Kobuleti, Chokhatauri).

Young people started preparation in November and carried out all planned initiated activities on time: creative events, interviews, exhibitions, actions... They themselves were the authors and performers of all events. Teachers and representatives of the school administration were included in the organization as much as possible.

The young people of the Youth Empowerment Centers gained a lot of experience by actively participating in the campaign of this year.

The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot

 für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)

Sasha is seven years old, Kirill is eight, Artyom is 15, and Levan, whose mother is Ukrainian and father is Georgian, is ten.

These children often come to psychologist Manana Gotsiridze together with their mothers. Because they need help - the war has changed their way of life, their character...

Fear of loneliness, difficulties of adaptation, hyperactivity, isolation – the psychologist works on these problems with children from Ukraine.

In parallel with children, consultations are held with adults to “ventilate” negative emotions.

In December, the psychologist met with 14 Ukrainian refugees. These meetings, free psychological consultations, useful advice and assistance are especially valuable and necessary for them.

The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot

 für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)