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

In the air of TV Company “Egrisi” there was aired a program, which summarized the work of Senaki GAC.

The first part of the program was devoted to conference, held by the GAC in Senaki. Special story was also prepared for this event.

In the second part there was a conversation about results of three-year activities, which showed necessity of gender approaches for development of municplaity.

At the end of the program, there was expressed a hope that GAC will continue the work, as new institutional mechanism.

The fund “Sukhumi” held a meeting with the journalists. Kutaisi media sources received information about 16 day campaign against violence and about planned activities. Radio and TV aired information regarding this event.

In the evening on the initiative of TV Company “Rioni” there was aired a discussion on the topic of campaign, which was attended by the member of Sakrebulo, psychologist, lawyer, representatives of the fund “Sukhumi”. There was announced the main message addressed to each member of society: “Feel Responsibility – Stop Violence”!

Today, in the program "The main theme of portal "Guriis Moambe" hosted to chairman of Ozurgeti Gender Advisory Council (GAC) Lela Natsvaladze and deputy Lali Sichinava. They evaluated the results of three years of work.

Guests of the program stressed the importance of the projects, which in recent years have caused increasing awareness of society on gender issues and the growing interest.

Leaders of GAC named their visit card - a project "Cancer is not a death sentence."

There was a talk about the close cooperation between the regions and the role of local authorities in the implementation of various projects. As Lela Natsvaladze noted, on the account of the GAC there are 9 implemented projects. In the future, work will continue in that direction, what needs will be identified in cooperation with the community.