The Women Fund "Sukhumi" has started a new training course at the Youth Empowerment Centers.

The course covers youth groups from 10 municipalities. Local governments helped us to form new groups, and 5 trainings have already been held in the municipalities of Zugdidi, Tsalenjikha, Tkibuli, Terjola and Kobuleti. 125 young people took part in the work. Members of the Gender Equality Councils, representatives of youth departments, school directors and teachers also actively participated.

The first steps have been made. Ideas and initiatives of new youth groups appeared.

The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot

 für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)

Violence against women continues to be the main topic of information meetings of the Women Support Centres. Problems regarding the identification of cases of violence and the lack of information about victim support services still remain.

In order to overcome these problems, Women Support Centers are actively working in villages, in different communities. They help to identify active, leader women in the field. The necessary information is disseminated.

Women Support Centers of Samtredia, Chokhatauri, Terjola and Khurcha (Zugdidi Municipality) already have results in identifying new cases and providing assistance to victims.

At the meeting, the participants were also informed about the practical guide/toolkit: "Preventing and responding to gender-based violence in war and post-war settings - experiences and recommendations of women's NGOs", which was developed by the WAVE Network in collaboration with its four WAVE members in 2022 by the support of the OSCE. The Toolkit describes best practices and the strategies employed by the women's NGOs to prevent and respond to gender-based violence in different phases of conflict.

• Strategies during Wartime and emergency response settings were shared by Ukrainian and Armenian partners Sexual Assault Crisis Center (Yerevan, Armenia), Centre “Women’s Perspectives” (Lviv, Ukraine);
• Strategies during Protracted conflict were described by the Women's Foundation "Sukhumi" (Kutaisi, Tbilisi, Georgia);
• Strategies during Post-war and long-term perspective were based on the experience of the Bosnia-Herzegovina partner. Foundation United Women Banja Luka (Banja Luka, Bosnia & Herzegovina)

(A practical guide is available here https://www.osce.org/secretariat/530695)

The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot

 für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)

The small grants competition identified 10 winners. They have already started working in their spheres.

At the first stage, the women took courses in working with polymer clay, stylist and accountant in the Day Rehabilitation Centers of Kutaisi and Bagdati.

At the second stage, trainings were held for them, where they studied the formulation of their own goals, the features of writing a grant application and business projects.

Then the competition period began. 20 people participated in the competition - 12 from Kutaisi and 8 from Bagdati. Business projects were written.

10 were projects were selected and financed. With the financial support of the Women Fund “Sukhumi”, 8 women from Kutaisi and 2 women from Bagdati were able to start a small business. This is how our beneficiaries' lives change and their success stories are created.

The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot

 für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)

The monitoring and advocacy group has completed the field work in the target municipalities. The group studied the effectiveness of preventive measures implemented by local governments to identify the victims of violence against women and / or domestic violence, their protection, assistance and rehabilitation.

The shortcomings that need to be corrected have been identified. With this aim, recommendations will be developed that will help local governments to determine a strategy designed for beneficiaries.

The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot

 für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)

Another training course of gaining a new profession is being held at the Women Fund “Sukhumi”.

During two months (February-March) the beneficiaries of the Day Center will be trained in nail art, gel polish and nail extension.

The women chose this training module according to their will. This is a desirable profession that helps for starting an independent life, for self-realization, for achieving success.

The program is implemented within the framework of the project “Strengthening the Women's Rights in Western Georgia”.

The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot

 für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)

The Forum Theater held performances in the central parks of Kutaisi. There were six scenes on different topics, followed by interesting discussions from the people. Unfortunately they didn't want to be photographed and we can't secretly shoot them. But the public actively joined the discussion. They talked about the fact that the facts of femicide, family conflicts, tragic cases have become more frequent and society should more clearly express its position against domestic violence.

The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot

 für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)

The Department of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) organized an information meeting with the participation of local governmental and non-governmental organizations. Together with many other issues, the meeting discussed the services offered to Ukrainians and their rights.

Since April 2022, the Women Fund "Sukhumi" is actively working to provide humanitarian assistance and other necessary services to Ukrainian refugees in Western Georgia.

The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot

 für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)

The guests heard information about the activities of the Fund and got acquainted with the main activities carried out within the framework of the project through a presentation. They also discussed the results of the activities planned in Abkhazia and Ossetia and the current challenges. In the second part of the meeting, the young actors of the Fund “Sukhumi” forum-theater presented the performances on various topics. On the same day, the guests visited the partner organization. The representatives of "Peaceful and Business Caucasus" talked about the importance of the project implemented with the support of USAID.

Information meetings were held with the members of Khoni women initiative group. The participants received information about the International Women's Solidarity Day. They talked about challenges and once again voiced the message - peace, calmness and health. During the meeting, the problems and gaps, revealed during the qualitative research were also mentioned. Khoni youth club is also active. An interesting performance of the forum theater was staged in the youth club of Khoni public school No 3, in the creation of which the whole group actively participated. Current, important and acute problems observed by the young people were transformed into scenarios by the participants.

At the meeting held in March, the members of Tskaltubo women initiative group talked about the topic of women solidarity and its importance. “Solidarity is important in any issue, it is strength, support, empathy that determines success” - this was the mood of the participants. Most of their wishes are related to peace, the well-being of their families and loved ones and to the creation of a better environment. Women leaders who changed the environment, what is solidarity and why do we need it - the members of Tskaltubo youth group discussed these issues in Tskaltubo public schools No 4 and No 1. Exercises were performed and a discussion was held during the meeting.