War is the most brutal violence against women - women IDPs from Abkhazia and refugees from Ukraine know this well. That is why our Ukrainian guests joined the campaign of “16 active days against gender-based violence”.
They attended the final event of the campaign, heard information about the events held by the Women Fund “Sukhumi” in the municipalities of Western Georgia.
The Ukrainians expressed their gratitude. They noted that the support of the Fund “Sukhumi” to their families is immeasurable. The support is expressed by humanitarian assistance, psychological consultation or retraining - for example, some of them passed the courses of polymer clay at a day rehabilitation center.
The day spent with the Fund “Sukhumi” staff and the representatives of various municipalities ended with pleasant impressions for the Ukrainian guests.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
In the framework of the campaign of 16 active days against gender-based violence, the performance of puppet theater was held along with scheduled forum theater performances.
The meeting took place at Kutaisi, Public School No. 2. The pupils of the primary classes attended the performances. Young actors showed the children the play “Turtledove”. The children watched the performance with great interest. The play was dedicated to friendship, support, and equality. The school leaders expressed gratitude to the representatives of the Fund “Sukhumi” and asked the puppet theatre staff to conduct the performances for the other classes at the end of January.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
Training on the topic “Women’s leadership, self-presentation, public speech” was held in Senaki, in the IDP village.
Leaders and women activists from 15 different homeowners’ associations took part in the training. They were given information about leadership qualities and important skills that are necessary for the leader.
The second part was even more interesting - about self-presentation and public speech.
The participants actively participated in the discussion of the topic with their stories and practical examples. According to them, the training was useful, and the knowledge gained will be reflected in their practical activities.
The work is carried out in partnership with the Center “Abkhazeti” within the framework of the project “Support of the conflict transformation in the South Caucasus and Moldova”.
This year, like previous one, Tsalenjikha municipality has actively participated in the international campaign against gender-based violence.
The Women Fund “Sukhumi”, in collaboration with the Gender Equality Council of the municipality, conducted four trainings for kindergarten staff on the topic “Gender, gender stereotypes, gender-based violence.”
The essence of gender, stereotypes that we hear from an early age, gender imbalance that causes violence and ways to eradicate violence - these issues were discussed with the participants by the trainers: Larisa Shengelia, Khatuna Gogua, Anzhela Chikhladze and Lali Shengelia.
The training cycle was active, interesting and productive.
In the framework of the 16-day campaign, a meeting on the topic “Gender mainstreaming - gender impacts” was held with decision-makers from 8 municipalities of Samegrelo - Zemo Svaneti in the conference room of Khobi City Council. The topic was presented by the Parliament Member of Georgia Nino Tsilosani and the invited trainer of the Permanent Parliamentary Council on Gender Equality Elene Beriashvili.
After the meeting, performances of the Women Fund “Sukhumi” forum theater were held in the small hall of the House of Culture.
The events were attended by members of the Parliament of Georgia: Giorgi Khakhubia, Irakli (Dachi) Beraia, Greta Tsitsava, State Commissioner of Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti Giorgi Guguchia with his deputies, Chairman of the City Council of Khobi municipality Levan Kavtaradze and Mayor David Bukia.
The performances at the forum theater made a great impression on the participants. They received information about the work of the Fund “Sukhumi”, about active participation in the 16-day campaign and the format of work with youth, which raised interest among the meeting participants.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
The members of Senaki youth group were actively involved in the 16-day international campaign. At their initiative, an information meeting was held on the topic: early marriage and its consequences, an action was held in the IDP settlement, a film screening and discussion was prepared. Club members distributed thematic flyers and information leaflets. The women initiative group was also actively involved in the campaign. At their initiative, two workshops were held on the topic: family conflicts and their management, victim support services. The members of the group reminded the public that violence against women is a crime.
Forum-theater performances in Zugdidi were dedicated to the 16-day campaign against gender-based violence against women.
The young actors played five scenes and each scene was followed by an interesting discussion. The audience mentioned that this is a very difficult topic and people can be better informed in this way.
Women noted:
"We obviously saw the mistakes we make in raising our children".
"We were brought up more strictly and we have already changed our attitude towards our children."
The scenes of the Forum Theater aim to raise awareness about the issues of gender-based violence in the IDP community.
The campaign is supported by the European Union and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in frames of the EU4Dialogue project.
Attending the performance “Liv Stein” at Kutaisi Lado Meskhishvili Theater became one of the important activities for representatives of the Women Fund “Sukhumi” in frames of the global campaign. Meeting with Endi Dzidzava – the leading actress was held after the performance in a specially equipped space an “Art Cafe Martini”.
Actress Andy Dzizawa, who played “Liv Stein” on her own anniversary, dedicated her play to the international campaign “16 active days against gender-based violence”. The slogan of the campaign is: “Break the silence, stop the violence.”
The dialogue “With Tea” was attended by actors of Meskhishvili Theater: Nino Choladze, Magda Geradze and Irina Gubeladze, members of the Women Fund “Sukhumi” and activists from different municipalities.
Chairperson of the Women Fund “Sukhumi” Alla Gamakharia thanked the actors and spoke about the importance of theater for popularizing main values.
The meeting participants expressed the desire for further meetings and cooperation.
The campaign is supported by the European Union and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in frames of the EU4Dialogue project.
In frames of a 16-day international campaign, the Women Fund “Sukhumi” delivered a group of doctors to the IDP settlements of Zugdidi (on Lagidze and Baramia streets). Free consultations were provided to women by a therapist, gynecologist and mammologist. Women living in villages along the conflict dividing line also took part in the activity.
Information leaflets, calendars and brochures “Prevention of Domestic Violence” were distributed to the participants. They attentively listened to the advice of doctors that they need to take care of themselves, that hiding the facts of violence negatively affects the health and psychological condition of women.
It was nice to hear feedback from women who participated in the action:
“A very necessary event, thanks to the organizers.”
“I came for prevention and received more services than I expected.”
“If I came to Kutaisi, I would spent a lot of money, but here is an assistance completely free of charge”.
The campaign is supported by the European Union and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in frames of the EU4Dialogue project.
