The National Association of Local Authorities of Georgia (NALA), with the support of the United Nations Women's Organization and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, organized a national conference titled "Gender Equality Agenda at the Local Level: Main Challenges and Action Steps." Heads of municipalities, representatives from legislative and executive authorities, as well as international and local civil society organizations, participated in the high-level conference.
The representative of the Women's Fund "Sukhumi," Ekaterine Gamakharia, attended the conference. During the discussion, she emphasized the necessity to enhance the role of children's rights protection departments and mayors' representatives in villages. There is a need to strengthen the link between these entities to better inform women, introduce local policies tailored to their needs, and address issues of women at the local level. Additionally, she highlighted the importance of implementing effective mechanisms for the prevention and protection of domestic violence.
It is noteworthy that at the conclusion of the conference, with NALA's advocacy, five additional Georgian municipalities signed the European Charter on the Equality of Women and Men in Local Life. This brings the total to 26 self-governing units that have joined the charter thus far. This time, the self-governing units of Zugdidi, Zestaponi, Chokhatauri, Samtredia, and Baghdati joined the document, thereby affirming their willingness and support for the principles of gender equality in their municipalities.
Senaki Women's Working Group worked on identification of new problems.
- We follow the advocacy plan. Based on the working plan, all stages are envisaged and require a certain period of time. In parallel, we should work on identifying new problems and not to slow down the speed mention the group members.
Among the problems, the issue of installing the sports training equipment in the IDP village was highlighted, and the cleaning of lawns from weeds was also considered urgent. Both issues require research and cooperation with local government. The working group will actively participate in this process.
The project is implemented with the support
of the UN Women organization
Members of the Youth Empowerment Centers of the Women Fund “Sukhumi” and their parents took part in the online information meeting.
During the meeting, there was made a presentation of the guide "Prevention and response to gender-based violence in war and post-war conditions - experience and recommendations of women’s NGOs", (prepared by the Network: Women Against Violence Europe (WAVE).
Participants learned about the successful experience of women organizations, including the Women Fund “Sukhumi”, which is described in the publication.
The project is implemented with the support of the Urgent Action Fund for Women's Human Rights
Meeting with members of women and youth initiative groups was held in Senaki, which was visited by representatives of the donor organization (USAID - United States Agency for International Development): Ekaterine Gamezardashvili and Giorgi Khechinashvili. In the first part of the meeting, the participants talked about the results of the project. Peace activities, participation in research, advocacy, informal debates, meetings with a psychologist, trainings, Georgian-Abkhazian meetings - group members give priority to these main segments and believe that involvement in the project had a positive impact on them. In the next part of the meeting, the participants talked about issues of gender equality: the rights of girls and the daily life of women living in rural areas. Participants believe that due to the mentality problems, there is still a lot of work to be done in terms of gender equality.
An online information meeting was held with employees of kindergarten No. 13 in Kutaisi.
During the presentation, participants got acquainted with the guide "Prevention and response to gender-based violence in war and post-war conditions - experience and recommendations of women’s NGOs" prepared by the Network: Women Against Violence Europe (WAVE).
They were particularly interested in the successful practice of the Women Fund “Sukhumi”, to which one of the chapters of the guide is dedicated.
The project is implemented with the support of the Urgent Action Fund for Women's Human Rights
The event, titled "Extended Advocacy Meeting to Address the Urgent Needs of IDPs and Conflict-affected Women and Youth," was held at Tbilisi Rooms Hotel. It was organized by UN Women Georgia and civil society partner organizations, including the Association of Internally Displaced Women "Consent," Women's Information Center, and Women's Fund "Sukhumi."
Representatives from national and local government, as well as the Public Defender, took part in the event. This included attendees from the National Association of Local Self-Governments of Georgia, local authorities from target municipalities. Additionally, international organizations, donor organizations operating in Georgia, international non-governmental organizations focusing on the agenda of women, peace, and security, the private sector - companies that have endorsed the principles of women's empowerment, local women's organizations, and community leaders among internally displaced and conflict-affected women, were present at the meeting.
The meeting centered around the key activities outlined in the National Action Plan and the well-being of internally displaced and conflict-affected women and youth residing along the dividing line and in IDP settlements.
The Gender Equality Council (GEC) introduced the presentation of the Report on “Implementation of the Women, Peace and Security Agenda in Georgia”, introduced by Council member, Teona Akubardia. The presentation was held on September 27 symbolically – the Sokhumi massacre day. The participants observed a minute of silence in commemoration of the victims of the war.
The presentation was attended by MPs, executive authorities, as well as the diplomatic corps, international organizations and civil society. The report has been developed within the UN Women project “Accelerating Implementation of Women, Peace and Security Agenda in Georgia”, funded by CSSF.
In September, support for Ukrainian refugees was actively carried out. The organization has developed a new method of assistance. Instead of a prepared package (food, hygiene products and household chemicals), supermarket vouchers were purchased and vouchers for different amounts were distributed to the beneficiaries.
This month, 8 new people were added to our database (totally 331 people). 180 vouchers were purchased for them and assistance was provided to 110 families (15 families – for the second time).
Ukrainian refugees were also provided with other assistance in accordance with their needs: we paid rent for 6 families; three families received money for utilities; one oncology patient was financed with 647 GEL for tests, and the other one, purchased medicines worth 286 GEL.
Our support service also cares about the psychological condition of Ukrainians: one of the beneficiaries attends courses of polymer clay at a day rehabilitation center, and she really likes the format of the courses. 6 women took part in psychological training held in Batumi. The psychologist of our organization, Manana Gotsiridze, continued to conduct individual consultations for a month.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
Information meeting with an active part of the local community was held in the village Jvartskhma (Chokhatauri municipality). Participants were informed about the experience of women's organizations in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ukraine, Armenia, and Georgia. Particular attention was paid to the work of the Women Fund “Sukhumi” - all this is described in the guidebook "Prevention and response to gender-based violence in war and post-war conditions - experience and recommendations of women’s NGOs".
The participants got acquainted with the strategy that our organization uses in the issues of post-conflict rehabilitation, assistance to victims of violence/risk groups, and violence prevention.
According to participants, it is difficult to make progress in reducing violence without deep public awareness of the problem and understanding of its own responsibility. The areas where they see their active role were identified and they are ready to work closely with the Fund “Sukhumi”.
The project is implemented with the support of the Urgent Action Fund for Women's Human Rights
