This article tells the reader of the newspaper “New Education” about the peacekeeping activities of the Fund "Sukhumi" - mainly about the new project “Bridging the Gap: People to People Initiatives for Conflict Resolution”.
It covers a series of trainings conducted for youth initiative groups.
The role of young people is special in this work. The article emphasizes their interest: to learn more about the conflict and discuss current topics, their desire is: to take initiatives and become peacemakers...
“Equality Now” and “Civic Spectrum – Equality” were two local civil society organizations that assessed the needs of the population in Bagdati Municipality. In order to obtain more extensive information, various forms of research were used: questionnaires, individual interviews and focus groups. Representatives of the organizations included in the research examined and assessed the effectiveness, transparency and inclusiveness of the services provided by Bagdati local self - government to the citizens of the municipality.
The work is carried out in the framework of the project “A common forum for CSOs from Guria, Imereti and Racha-Lechkhumi for PAR Roadmap monitoring”.
The Fund “Sukhumi” conducted the round table in Samtredia municipality with participation of representatives of local referral entities. The meeting discussed issues of violence prevention and protection of victims, the situation in terms of violence and social cooperation. The attention was paid to the problem of domestic violence and the prospects for cooperation with local structures.
According to the meeting participants, joint activities can identify problems, as a result, the level of their solution and prevention will increase.
The biggest challenge was the attitude of society towards the problem of violence. The need for information and educational work and activation of the municipal gender council in this regard was highlighted.
A consultation platform has been set up with the Office of the State Minister on "Women, Peace, and Security - Enhancing Women's Effective Participation in the Peacebuilding Process". The contribution of the Fund "Sukhumi" is important together with the partner organizations in this success.
There are two youth initiative groups in Tskaltubo. The group members determined the indicator of their own activity at the meetings and paid attention to the factors contributing to the development of activism. They recalled specific cases related to civic activism. According to them, the youth inclusion will contribute to the promotion of youth policy in society.
During the meeting with members of the women initiative group, the participants listened to information about the questionnaire, which aimed to assess the quality of human security and gender needs. The problems identified during the research will become the subject of advocacy, which will be determined by the advocacy plan of the initiative group from the next month.
Psycho-legal mechanisms for the response to violence cases, victim assistance services - informational meetings on these issues were held in Terjola, Samtredia, Kobuleti, Zugdidi and Senaki municipalities.
During the meetings with the representatives of different communities, the Fund "Sukhumi" also identifies the cases of violence. The response mechanisms are different: a consultation of psychologist and a lawyer is used. Authoritative parsons are involved in solution of conflict situation. These tools increase efficiency.
Information about the new website "Digital Resource Center of the Services for Violence Victims" http://gbvdigitalresourcecenter.ge/ was spread during the meetings. This page provides full information on victim support services.
Participants note that informing the population is important and will help prevent violence.
This is the new website of the Fund "Sukhumi" - "Digital resource center of the services for violence victims."
This platform contains the following information: services for violence victims, legislation, national referral mechanism, publications (reports and researches), mobile application and hotline numbers, answers to various questions, innovations.
The aim of the website is to improve accessibility to all types of services to protect the victims (survivors) of violence against women and domestic violence.
The website was created with the support of the Equality Fund (Canada) and currently works in a test mode.
Meetings of women and youth initiative groups were held in Senaki municipality. The young people discussed civic activism. According to the participants, young people have initiatives, ideas, and need support for their implementation. This will contribute to the development of civic activism.
The women's initiative group listened to the results of the study "Assessment of the quality of human security and gender needs of the population" conducted in Senaki. Participants discussed what kind of threats do the women feel most in concrete component of human security, what are the most actual problems for them, what are the existing threats. They will try to advocate the problems identified as a result of the research.
On June 1, a meeting of the mobilizers from Kutaisi, Vani, Terjola, Bagdati, Tkibuli, Senaki, Chokhatauri, Kobuleti, Tsalenjikha, Zugdidi Women Support Centers was held. The participants of the meeting summarized the month's work: they exchanged information and talked about the difficulties they meet in the field in terms of identifying the problem of violence.
At the end of the meeting, the participants discussed the plan for the next month. Their suggestions are reflected in the working module, which will increase the efficiency of the work.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
