Members of women's and youth groups of the villages Didinedzi and Koki - Zugdidi municipality join the international campaign 16 active Days against Violence. Within the framework of the international campaign, information meetings and workshops were held, with the discussion of the importance of raising women's awareness in terms of assisting victims of violence, the need to implement preventive measures, and access to state services. Many countries, including Georgia, are involved in the 16-day international campaign, which indicates that the issue is still relevant and the main mechanism for combating it is the unification of society against the problem.

Members of women's and youth groups from Kutaisi and Khoni actively joined the campaign of 16 Active Days against Gender-Based Violence. They expressed their attitude through various activities and once again unanimously said "No" to violence!

Initiative groups from Senaki and Tskaltubo were actively involved in the international campaign against violence. Within the framework of the 16-day campaign, the groups carried out various activities. The main topic of discussion during information meetings, workshops, and debates was violence against women and preventive mechanisms. Participants noted that it is necessary to provide the public with more information about the mechanisms that exist for victim assistance. It is necessary to increase public awareness and involvement in preventing the problem and assisting victims.

Within the framework of the international campaign, members of the Women Initiative Group of the Village Pakhulani, Tsalenjikha Municipality, held a meeting with both women and schoolchildren. The participants received information about state programs. It was noted that accessibility to the programs and public awareness are important. The organizers spoke about forms of violence and preventive mechanisms. Such meetings, with the participation of various parties, contribute to the elimination of global problems and the involvement of local self-government and public in this process.

On November 9, an evaluation workshop was held at the office of the Fund “Sukhumi”. Women initiative groups of Kutaisi, Tskaltubo, Khoni, Senak, Zugdidi and Tsalenjikha evaluated the results of four years of work. What was the impact of the project activities on society and the country, what changed in their community - individual groups worked in this direction. Four years of work had positive results, which the members of the group received in different directions. The contours of the future project were outlined in their proposals. It first of all, involves the strengthening of work in the direction of peace. During the evaluation, the participants expressed positive opinions. "Four years is a long time to change! We feel this change, we have also affected the environment and therefore I think this project has done a good job. "Informing, activating the peace community, advocacy - we were all equally involved in all these processes." "We became stronger and were able to strengthen others. We activated topics that were not discussed before. "- these are short assessments of those involved in the project. The meeting was held within the framework of the project "bridging the gap, people-to-people initiatives for conflict resolution", funded by the USAID.

On November 8, a project evaluation workshop was held at the office of the Fund "Sukhumi". Leaders of all seven youth initiative groups created in the municipalities of Kutaisi, Khoni, Tskaltubo, Senaki, Zugdidi and Tsalenjikha participated in it. Youth groups evaluated the results of four years of work. • Empowerment of young people - trainings • Initiatives and sub-grants • Peace building The comments of the participants are positive. "Participation in the project played an important role in my formation as a leader. I was able to plan and organize activities on my own, it gave me a great motivation, I overcame the complexes that prevented me from being bolder and more active." "My involvement in the Georgian-Abkhazian-Ossetian meetings showed me very well how important the role of young people is in peace activities. This project gave us an opportunity to deepen our communication and relationship." The positive impact of the project was reflected in the works of the participants. The project "Bridging the gap People-to-People Initiatives for Conflict Resolution" is funded by USAID and has been implemented since 2021. The project is coming to its end.     

A joint meeting was held in the office of the Women Fund "Sukhumi", where active women members of two (second and third) initiative groups summed up the results of advocacy.

They expressed gratitude for the trainings conducted within the framework of the project. They noted that they became more active, strengthened and had an incentive to independently determine the priority problems of the community and find ways to solve them. They admitted that they were able to solve many issues thanks to the project of the Fund "Sukhumi" - benches were installed in the settlement, the roof was changed, permission was received to build a mini-stadium in the yard...

Everyone saw that diligence, teamwork and activity are the most important in a common work. During the meeting, they also discussed plans and new problems in order to begin advocating for them. Regarding their problems, the women initiative group sent an official letter to the Chairman of Kutaisi City Council. The corresponding response has already been received, and they will receive a specific answer in the near future.

The project is implemented with the support of  USAID local governance program

Members of the first initiative group gathered in the office of the Women Fund "Sukhumi". They talked about how they became active within the framework of the project, how the advocacy process is going and what results they have achieved.

It was noted that activity is necessary. It was difficult for them on their own, but with the support of the Women Fund "Sukhumi" they were able to move some problematic issues forward and received promises from competent persons.

The women also discussed their plans for the future and, having extensive experience, identified new problems for the advocacy.

The women initiative group sent an official letter to the Chairman of Kutaisi City Council. The letter has already received a response - calls, meetings, clarifications, and the group members are waiting for specific answers regarding their problems.

The project is implemented with the support of  USAID local governance program

During an information meeting held with members of the initiative group of the former music boarding school, participants talked about the changes that the advocacy process brings and what is needed to achieve good results.

They also discussed further plans and problems that the IDP settlement is facing at this stage - it is necessary to equip the sports ground with a drainage system so that the water does not rise. The conversation also touched on the issues of rehabilitation of the park and children's attractions, installation of benches.

The women initiative group asked the chairman of Kutaisi City Council to solve the problem and is waiting for a decision from the local government in the near future.

The project is implemented with the support of  USAID local governance program

 Linda Chikhladze - cyber security trainer of the Women Fund "Sukhumi" conducted a workshop on the topic - digital security (violence against women in the online space) with the members of Khoni women initiative groups. The participants of the event had the opportunity to discuss today's threats in the digital space and learn about prevention mechanisms. The event included practical work, which the participants successfully completed. The similar meeting was held with the members of the second group of Khoni. The participants noted that it is important for them to have information about the threats that exist in the digital space today. At the meeting held in October, the leader of the youth club gave a presentation on the topic: "International Day of Girls and October 15 - International Day of Rural Women". Young people got heard the real stories and challenges of rural women. They talked about the problems and issues of rural women in their community. New members joined the club.