Sakrebulo of Kutaisi hosted an informational meeting for the mandatory inclusion of local governments in the process of protection from violence. The organizer of the meeting - the Fund "Sukhumi", and the meting was led by representatives of the national anti-violence networks.

The goal of the campaign - presenting information on the local government level and taking necessary measures for the prevention of domestic violence and gender equality.

The theme of the April mobilization meetings was the impact of violence on young people. Meetings were held in Kutaisi, Tskaltubo, Khoni, Senaki, Poti and in two villages of Zugdidi Municipality - Khurcha and Koki.

The meetings focused on April 6 - International Day of sport for the benefit of youth and development. The conversation touched how important a healthy lifestyle is and how it relates to the prevention of violence.

During the meetings in collective centers there were again raised IDPs problems: unfavorable conditions, difficult social background, unemployment, migration, the problem of employment of young people.

The first meeting in frames of Senaki Gender Advisory Council "Prevention of domestic violence in Senaki municipality" was held today in the hall of Sakrebulo. The meeting was organized for representatives of Gamgebeli and majoritarian MPs of fourteen territorial units of Senaki municipality. The event was also attended by the chairman of Sakrebulo Jumber Lashkarava.

Chairman of the GAC Nana Alania familiarized the participants with the project goals and objectives, as well as the statement of Gender initiative groups which will be  established in rural communities. Within the project, these groups will have special workshops on the topic of gender and domestic violence, which will help to raise awareness of the rural population.

Majoritarian MPs and representatives of Gamgebeli expressed their willingness to join the project and contribute to enhancing the role of women and youth in the processes of prevention of domestic violence.

Kutaisi Gender Advisory Council (GAC) started a new project "Strengthening of the gender aspects for active inclusion in the formation of local gender policies." The project is co-financing by Kutaisi City Hall and the fund "Sukhumi".

On April 21 in frames of the project a regional conference was held in "Grand Palace", on "Gender component in the local budget - the current reality, the positive developments, the prospects for the future."

The conference was attended by representatives of local self-government 17 municipalities of Western Georgia - Kutaisi, Batumi, Ozurgeti, Senaki, Zugdidi, Poti, Tskhaltubo, Khoni, Vani, Samtredia, Kharagauli, Zestafoni, Terjola, Tkibuli, Kobuleti, Chokhatauri, Lanchkhuti, as well as members of the GAC, rectors of universities, professors, students, representatives of NGOs and the media.

In the first part of the conference members of GAC of Kutaisi, Ozurgeti, Batumi and Senaki told about the results in terms of gender, achieved in cooperation with local governments.

In the second part the speakers discussed the topic of equality in different contexts. The conference was concluded with the report "Gender needs of students and their integration into the formation of the local budget."

The first phase of the project was completed. Discussions on the issues discussed at the conference will continue in Kutaisi universities.