In the framework of the new project “Women`s participation in the process of building trust and sustainable peace has been strengthened”, the needs research of women and IDP girls and victims of conflict has started in target municipalities.
During the meeting with the fieldworkers, information on important details of future activities was exchanged.
The geography of the research is 6 villages on the conflict dividing line and in Zugdidi. During the research, quantitative and qualitative information will be collected.
The innovative and interesting project “Online Vote-O-Meter for 2020 Georgian Parliamentary Elections” has come to an end. On March 25, a final conference was held online with participation of about 60 people.
The project participants shared the experience gained in the process of implementing the “Voter’s Advice Application” application and talked about the introduction and use of similar platform during future elections.
The guests were actively involved in the discussion and expressed their opinions regarding the importance of the application in terms of informing the population and increasing political trust, as well as the need for its introduction during the elections of local self-government and prospects for the future.
“I am passionate about contributing to a peaceful, just, and progressive society, in which women, together with men, are able to make a difference through their activism. I firmly believe that peace and security cannot be sustained unless women have an equal and active role in political, economic, and social policy formulation.”
This is an excerpt from Ekaterina Gamakharia's speech.
On March 25 Ekaterine Gamakharia, Head of the Tbilisi office of the Fund "Sukhumi", participated in an online discussion, held within the framework of the 65th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW65).
In her speech, Ekaterine spoke about the devastating impact of the pandemic, revealed as a result of the rapid response research carried out by the Fund "Sukhumi", as well as about the economic situation of IDPs and conflict-affected women. She stressed the role of women and their participation in policy-making, which plays a critical role in overcoming the crisis.
On March 25, 2021, Ekaterine Gamakharia, Head of the Tbilisi Office of the Fund "Sukhumi", participated in the side-event had been held within the framework of the 65th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW65).
Ekaterine and her organization documented about the devastating impact on the economic situation of IDPs and conflict-affected women. She stressed that women’s participation in policy formulation is critical in ensuring a sustainable recovery.
“I am passionate about contributing to a peaceful, just, and progressive society, in which women, together with men, are able to make a difference through their activism. I firmly believe that peace and security cannot be sustained unless women have an equal and active role in political, economic, and social policy formulation.”
On March 25, Linda Chikhladze, the representative of the Fund “Sukhumi” Tbilisi office, participated in an online webinar organized by the Women Against Violence Network (WAVE) through the ZOOM platform.The event presented a WAVE’s research “Responding to domestic abuse in the context of Covid-19”.
During the webinar, representatives from the participating countries shared their national experiences and discussed the challenges and needs that accompany the process of responding to violence against women/domestic violence during pandemic.
Fund "Sukhumi" started working on the project “Bridging the Gap: People to People Initiatives for Conflict Resolution”. According to the project, Women and Youth Initiative Groups have been formed in Kutaisi, Tskalutbo, Khoni, Senaki, Zugdidi and Tsalenjikha municipalities. Each group is composed by 20-25 members.
Women and youth groups will work in parallel and will be involved in the activities envisaged under the project - studying the needs at local level and advocating for problems. The members of the group will pass special trainings, educational seminars, which will serve to increase their competence and strengthen civic activism. The work of the initiative groups is an important component of the project, which will create an opportunity for the implementation of new initiatives and will contribute to improving the level of tolerance in society.
“The school should be interested in the concept of a safe school. The law on general education clearly states that the school must take responsibility for the violence,” mentioned one of the teachers, a participant of the event.
Teachers, parents and representatives of education resource centers from different municipalities attended a round table, which was held on the initiative of the Fund “Sukhumi”. The topic of the meeting was: “Nonviolent, safe environment in schools and the role of resource centers in promoting non-formal education”.
The participants discussed the existing challenges. During the meeting the recommendations were announced – their consideration will contribute to strengthening of cooperation between resource centers and schools, as well as the formation of a safe school model.
March was an active month for the forum-theater: casting, rehearsals, performances...
After the casting, new actors appeared in the group, who have already joined the work.
After a long pause, the first trip was in one of Kutaisi parks - the performances were held in the open air.
A new initiative of the Fund "Sukhumi" will be implemented soon - a puppet theater will be created. The scenario on the basis of Georgian fairy tale "Gvriti" (turtledove) is already written ...
Forum-theater, shadow theater, puppet theater – this is a variety, offered by the young actors to the audience.
The meeting of Bagdati working group was devoted to the discussion of the provisions of ethics of the municipality. The meeting was also attended by invited guests who are competent in this issue. The meeting was held on the backdrop of active discussions. It was decided to accept the identified recommendations and to post the final version on the municipality's website in a week. Thus, the document will be available to everyone so that they can express their proposals before approval.
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”.
