A meeting organized by the Women Fund "Sukhumi" together with the Educational Resource Center on the topic "Local system of social partnership - cooperation between the education sector and the City Hall of the municipality" was held in the conference hall of public school N6 in Tkibuli. The experience of Tkibuli municipality is an example of a successful practice of decentralization of social work. However, according to the meeting participants, without a systematic dialogue between different groups of society, it is impossible to implement social policy according to the needs of beneficiaries and strengthen vulnerable families.
During the meeting, representatives of the Department for Children's Rights of the City Hall and the education sector exchanged important information that will contribute to social protection and empowerment of children and their families.
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)
Senaki Women Initiative Group started the advocacy of new problems. Group members actively worked with population to identify the priority of problems. As a result of collecting information, there were selected the problems, solution of which is the prerogative of local government.
Two issues were slected for the advocacy: landscaping of the yard and fencing of the children's stadium. The working group has already drawn up an advocacy plan, according to the plan, information regarding this issue together with the signatures has already been submitted to the municipality. The advocacy process will continue in accordance with the response.
The project is implemented with the support
of the UN Women organization
Several houses are in a deplorable situation in Tskaltubo, Abkhazeti Street. The roof needs to be urgently replaced. Tskaltubo Women Initiative Group continues to advocate this problem - based on the answers received from representatives of local government and the government of the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia, the problem will be resolved in the very near future.
The initiative group often organizes the cleaning of the area adjacent to the village from weeds, the process of laying the drainage channel is near to its end.
On the initiative of the group, the children of the village visited the house-museum of Otia Ioseliani, where they presented a literary composition on the topic of Abkhazia.
The Women Initiative Group continues to identify the problems of the IDP community and advocate for their solution.
The project is implemented with the support
of the UN Women organization
Khoni Women Initiative Group actively conducts meetings with representatives of the IDP community to identify important issues for them.
Members of the group try to solve as many problems as possible, which will help to improve the living conditions of IDPs.
For the given moment, the group works on renovation of the mini-stadium of the IDP village. It is important for women that their children have a space where they can spend their free time, engage in sports, and conduct various activities.
For timely and successful advocacy of the issue, the Women Initiative Group is in close communication with the local government. This problem is raised and there is a promise of support.
The project is implemented with the support
of the UN Women organization
On the initiative and moderation of the advocacy group of the Women Fund "Sukhumi", a meeting was held with the participation of representatives of 17 municipalities of Western Georgia (Kutaisi, Tskaltubo, Vani, Terjola, Bagdati, Samtredia, Senaki, Tkibuli, Chokhatauri, Kobuleti, Tsalenjikha, Zugdidi, Ozurgeti, Poti, Lanchkhuti, Khoni, Khobi).
Topic of the meeting: "Local programs for the economic empowerment of women - the exchange of existing positive experience." Representatives of the municipalities of Chokhatauri, Poti, Zugdidi and Kobuleti spoke about local programs for the economic empowerment of women. The format of the discussion was effective in terms of sharing best practices and successful experiences.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
Last month the forum-theater met with the prisoners of penitentiary N14 in Geguti. Everyone liked this visit very much, and the young actors were invited to the Kutaisi penitentiary N2. They showed 4 performances here. It was quite an impressive spectacle, and after each performance, an active discussion took place with the participation of the audience ... Forum Theater gained new experience by working with an unusual audience.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
Members of both women initiative groups of Khoni spoke about the problems identified as a result of the research. They also selected the issues to be resolved at the local level and discussed the details of the advocacy plan. Say "no" to violence! - During 2 months, with small scenes of the forum-theater the young people will try to show the audience the seriousness of the problem and make them to think about the negative consequences of violence. During the May meeting, together with the project assistant, they once again discussed planned activities and developed a plan. The participants also distributed their duties equally.
With the support of the UN Women, the Apparatus of the State Minister for Reconciliation and Civil Equality, in cooperation with the State Security Service, held a meeting of Georgian participants of IPRM (Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism) and representatives of women civil society organizations, IDP women and women affected by the conflict in Zugdidi.
In her report, Alla Gamakharia, Chairman of the Women Fund "Sukhumi" emphasized the importance of raising the role of IDP women and conflict affected women in peace processes and building trust. Women activists of the Fund "Sukhumi" together with other participants raised important issues that are acute in their daily lives. Attention was paid to the problems of movement of the population divided by the conflict, on restrictions of transportation of goods in the dividing line.
The State Minister for Reconciliation and Civic Equality of Georgia Tea Akhvlediani and other authorized persons gave detailed answers to the questions of the participants.
The project is implemented with the support
of the UN Women organization
How can a society torn apart by war and conflict overcome alienation, rebuild relationships and create a dignified and secure future? - Our representative, Ekaterine Gamakharia, spoke about these issues as a guest on Mamuka Kufaradze's TV program before presenting the Abkhaz film "Waiting for the Future".
