Women Support Centers understand how important it is to disseminate information about victim assistance services. In August, meetings with women's groups continued. In parallel with information, communication with beneficiaries continues.
Women have already addressed the mobilizers for help and consultations. Six new cases were recorded in the communities of Kutaisi, Khoni, Vani and Tsalenjikha. Identification of new cases means that assistance opportunities have expanded. Each woman has already received information about who to contact and what services to use.
Para-specialists of the centers are actively involved in the identification process. The success of social work depends on the trust of the beneficiaries and the desire to cooperate.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
Women support centers actively worked in various communities and held informational meetings. Mobilizers provided participants with information about services and programs for victim assistance.
During the informational meetings, priority issues were identified that were relevant for communities in terms of violence against women. Participants of the meetings in Senaki, Khobi, Chokhatauri, Terjola, Tskaltubo and Zugdidi emphasized the need to support women who have suffered from violence so that they do not feel alone.
In August, five families under the risk group were identified - all families became active users of the services of the Fund “Sukhumi”. The participants of the meetings disseminate the information received, which helps attract new beneficiaries and is important for the prevention of violence.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
Preparation for the implementation of civil initiatives has begun in the women's groups of Kutaisi, Khoni and Khobi. It was preceded by a civil dialogue on the causes of migration, its psychosocial consequences and ways of prevention.
During the meetings they heard interesting opinions from young people who have their own attitude to this problem and believe that there are many sensitive topics, the understanding of which is extremely important for society. For example, according to their observations, parents sometimes unintentionally contribute to the alienation of their children from their peers by buying expensive things, which further aggravates their psycho-emotional state.
At this stage, consultations are being held with initiative groups, events are being planned and appropriate resources are being sought.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
In July, civil dialogue was continued in women's groups of Kutaisi, Khoni and Khobi. Participants discussed the reasons of migration, its psychosocial consequences and ways of prevention.
Their vision of what needs to be done to reduce migration and mitigate its consequences, reintegrate women and improve the psychosocial climate in their families was interesting; increase of teachers' awareness of the emotional and behavioral characteristics of children of migrant parents was also noted. Some participants shared their experiences on this topic:
"My parents' emigration brought a lot of psychological trauma, some of which I still experience. What children of immigrant parents need most is the right atmosphere." "The school period should be useful for them, because it was the teacher who brought the light back to me."
Some participants expressed a desire to share their emotions:
"I have some sketches and you can share them. If I could, I would give everyone the strength to talk about their pain, as I do."
"I would be happy to join the creation of interesting stories. I myself have a short but painful experience of migration. I know many others who would be happy to share their emotions."
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
Teenagers from ten municipalities of Western Georgia are actively participating in an online course on conflict management and violence prevention. Among their peers, they openly talk about challenges, stereotypes and the desire for change.
"I understand that the more I learn, the more I want to tell others. I want to protect myself and help others," said one of the participants.
Young people want to become ambassadors of peace in their regions and authors of positive changes.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
A psychologist of the Fund “Sukhumi” held meetings in five municipalities, in Women Support Centers of (Khurcha/Zugdidi, Tskaltubo, Senaki, Vani, Terjola). The main topic of the meetings was "Violence against women and the importance of relationships."
These meetings imply support and care, which is especially important for those who have ever faced violence. Violence is not only physical (blows, beatings), it is often silence, fear, offensive words and loss of self-esteem. Often violence occurs quietly, within the walls of the family, from where no sounds are heard. According to the psychologist, this is why meetings and personal communication with such women are necessary to tell them: "You are not alone"! One meeting can give strength, woman can start to speak, ask for help, and we can support and save her.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
The rate of identification of cases of violence in Women Support Centers has increased. This was facilitated by the work of Para-specialists. 12 cases were identified during a month. As a result of social work, more than 150 beneficiaries received information about victim support services. Women receive consultations on both legal and psychological issues. The Centers' mobilizers are constantly with them.
Out of 12 cases, the condition of ten beneficiaries improved due to the involvement of a psychologist, and two continue to work with a lawyer on legal issues.
Two women together with their children underwent psycho-rehabilitation at the Rehabilitation Center of our organization: their stable condition is the result of comprehensive work of all the employees of the Center.
The women's reviews:
"When you know exactly whom to address and do not waste time on it, this is important assistance."
"I am a single mother, my social assistance was stopped, I did not know whom to address. Representatives of the Fund “Sukhumi” helped me.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
During information meetings initiated in the municipalities of Terjola, Vani and Chokhatauri, women were introduced to the results of the research "Gender aspects of women's migration" conducted by our organization. It is planned to implement initiatives aimed at preventing migration and reducing its negative consequences, which will be based on the needs of specific communities.
The meetings noted that the migration issue requires multi direction work, although women's groups can also make a small contribution.
The main challenges were identified as: economic empowerment of women and support for women who have started small businesses but do not know how to expand the market.
It was noted that training in these skills will become a tool for preventing migration and will help other women who are afraid to engage in such activities and see migration as the only solution for a better future for their children.
Attention was paid to the consequences of migration - children who grow up without mothers. Particular emphasis was placed on childhood traumas that are not compensated by financial well-being. The women set themselves the goal of working in this area with both children and women migrants in order to promote better relationships between children and mothers.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
Our new research "Gender aspects of women's migration" became the main topic of the meetings held in Senaki, Tskaltubo, Tsalenjikha and Zugdidi (village Khurcha).
The meetings were attended by activists of the Women Support Centers. After the presentation, women's groups actively discussed the ideas for civil initiatives. According to women, it is important to disseminate information about migration, work in direction of supporting children of migrant mothers and the economic empowerment of women. It is also necessary to inform women about protection mechanisms when traveling abroad, and contacts to adress if necessary.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
The doors of our organization's Rehabilitation Center are always open to those who need support.
A 25-year-old woman, a mother of three children, intimidated and humiliated, addressed the center after a difficult experience. On the very first day, she noted the sensitivity of the professional team.
The joint efforts of a psychologist, lawyer, social worker and assistant working with children gave the following result: "The reality exceeded all expectations. I could not even imagine that such a support service existed somewhere... Here I really felt warmth, attention and care"...
For the first time, she believed that she could start new life. Respect, care and sincere support became the first steps on the path of self development.
This is just one story. Every woman who comes to the center writes her own story...
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)