The Forum Theatre performances were too impressive for the students. In Kutaisi, at the Niko Nikoladze School-Lyceum, the audience enjoyed the acting talent of their peers, the scenes based on reality. After each performance, there were discussions. Together with director Magda Chikhladze, the audience spoke frankly about bullying, psychological violence and actual problems.
The second performance also took place in Kutaisi, in the central location. The actors of the Forum Theatre played their roles so naturally that several passers-by even tried to help the victim of violence. Then they found out that it was a performance...
The audience says that it is good to talk and discuss violence in this form, because the problem is obvious. The main thing is that we all work together to correct the situation.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
Such stories are often written thanks to our work, diligence and effort.
The changes are especially noticeable when it concerns our Rehabilitation Center.
One of the latest stories is following: two mothers and 7 children appeared in the center. Two women with difficult fates and difficult children. This is not surprising: they are traumatized, have experienced violence and live with big problems.
A teacher working with minors notes that at first they hit each other, showed violence and aggression.
Gradually it became clear that in addition to domestic violence, they were victims of bullying at school - by students and teachers. Older children beat younger ones because they do not talk about their problems, and younger children want others to understand their hard situation. A grandmother beat one with a belt, a teacher pulled one's hair so hard that she almost pulled it out...
At the Rehabilitation Center, children learned to cope with bullying and build relationships with others. Mothers also figured out their situation - what is best for their future. The work of a lawyer, social worker and psychologist was aimed precisely at this.
One of the mothers is already divorced and is raising her children on her own, the other still lives in a violent environment, but the determination and current life of the woman with whom she lived in the center for two weeks are an example for her. Both women left Kutaisi full of hope, the children are happy. Work with them, their support will continue, we try to never leave our beneficiaries alone.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
Mobilizers covered various topics at information meetings. The problems of domestic violence and ways of prevention are actively discussed everywhere. At the meetings of the Women Support Centers of Khoni, Chokhatauri, Tskaltubo, it became clear that a lot of work on identification is ahead.
Successful practices and results encouraged women from other centers. During the exchange of information, new cases were identified in the Women Support Centers of Khobi, Vani and Senaki.
The Para-specialists of the Fund are actively working with mobilizers. They study the needs of women, inform them about services and programs.
"There are many services that women do not know about, so we must continue to provide information about them, we must talk about this to everyone who cannot come to meetings," noted the beneficiaries. In June, internal monitoring was conducted in the Women Support Centers of Senaki, Tskaltubo, Terjola and Vani. The monitoring showed that process of informing should be continued. The need for professional courses for women was also noted. The problems identified during the monitoring will be implemented from next month and will make the work in direction of supporting women more effective
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
The cutting and sewing courses organized by the Khobi Women Support Center have ended. Our organization established a day rehabilitation center in the village Shuakhorga.
The two months of the basic course and each lesson were interesting.
The women celebrated the last day of training with an exhibition of their works. They say that they had a good teacher who taught them all the detailes. It was also nice to be together, to communicate...
The graduates will try to apply the knowledge they gained in practice.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
- I am a woman who did everything to keep her family. At the same time, I am a mother who changed the future of her children. I was afraid of how to live, what to do alone. I did not dare to get a divorce. I should have left earlier. I regret that I endured for so long...
This young mother of many children was in our Rehabilitation Center.
There was another young woman with her children - she still lives in an environment of violence.
The advice of a social worker and a lawyer, a course of psychotherapy, days spent in the center gave good results. A special example for her was a woman who escaped violence and lives peacefully with her children. With the help of the City Hall, our support and the support of other organizations, everything was solved gradually and she is grateful...
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
Four meetings were held with women activists from the Women Support Centers of Senaki, Tskaltubo, Tsalenjikha and Zugdidi (village Khurcha).
The meeting participants got acquainted with our new research "Gender aspects of women's migration". After the presentation, there was held a discussion on - how the socio-economic and legal status and intersectional vulnerability factors influence migration decisions.
Fragments from the participants' speeches:
"Migration is a serious problem of our time - due to economic factors or vulnerability. Many people have emigrated, and this problem affects women the most".
"Women are forced to emigrate because there is no way out, and ultimately our reality is the following: family alienation and generations, growing up without mothers."
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
Training on the topic: "Social work in communities, prevention and response to domestic violence - assessment and analysis of work" was held in the office of our organization.
The training was attended by mobilizers and Para-specialists of Women Support Centers from ten target municipalities of Western Georgia.
The participants shared successful social work practices, assessed the results of social work in Women Support Centers, and discussed challenges, conclusions and response mechanisms.
Based on the training program, through interactive involvement, they determined the effectiveness of using women support services.
The trainer gave them the necessary advices - how to increase the use of existing services by beneficiaries, and what additional skills are needed to strengthen social work.
In the format of group work, together with a psychologist, they created a psychosocial portrait of a person (beneficiary); discussed the need for empathy and a sensitive approach when communicating with women at risk of violence.
At the end of the training, the participants noted:
"The training is a good opportunity to share information. There are many women around us who need support. We will be able to cooperate with them and change their condition by strengthening social work."
"The information I received is new skill for me, the use of which will help identify women at risk".
"I listened to representatives of different municipalities and the situation is almost the same everywhere - social work is necessary to prevent violence. We know a lot, we have learned a lot today, and we need to use all this in practice to empower women."
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
Those gathered at the information meeting of Senaki Women Support Center discussed the needs of women. Social and infrastructural problems in the IDP settlement remain a priority.
Women exchange information, share their opinions with each other, resources, methods, that can be used to solve problems.
Our organization together with them plans and looks for resources to support women
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
Useful and relevant information is discussed by women at Khurcha Women Support Center (Zugdidi Municipality). They then share the news in other communities so that as many women as possible are informed. Men often participate at the meetings.
The information concerns issues of empowering women, which is of interest to the beneficiaries. A case of assistance was recorded. The information was provided to a woman living in Abkhazia who benefited from the health program. Supporting and strengthening each other is especially pleasant for each of them.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
A new course on working with polymer clay has started at Kutaisi day center. The number of people willing to attend has increased significantly, and interest in learning is also high. With the help of teacher Maka Jishkariani, women are mastering a new profession with pleaseure.
At the very first lessons, the group members were met by psychologist Eka Kvachakidze. They already know what our organization offers them, and that we are interested in their success and development.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)