An ordinary online meeting was held In the village Khurcha (Zugdidi municipality). The participants got acquainted with the results of a quick research prepared by the Fund “Sukhumi”: what are the dangers for women due to COVID 19. It was noted that the psychological background is further aggravated on the conflict separation line. They talked about the problems existing in the community and the need to solve them.

Fund "Sukhumi" continues to work in the villages near the conflict line. The aim of these meetings is to identify the problems that exist in the communities. One of the meetings was held with a group of women activists in the villages Kakhati (Zugdidi municipality).

Social problems, poor infrastructure, accommodation for IDPs - the meeting participants mainly focused on these issues. The work will continue with the advocacy of the raised questions.

An online meeting was held with women living in the village Tskhoushi (Tsalenjikha municipality). The online meeting was also attended by women from the village Saberio (Abkhazia), who emphasized their problems. According to them, during the pandemic, stress and tension increased, this is due to the lack of information regarding the virus, lack of medicines and food products, and limitation of movement. Situation is difficult also for schoolchildren, who, due to the lack of the Internet, were not able to be involved in the educational process.

During the online meeting of the Fund “Sukhumi”, when talking about problems in the community of the village Khurcha (Zugdidi Municipality), women noted important problems – the doctors, who periodically consulted the residents of the village, now are not able to visit them.

After the meeting, advocacy for the problem began. A local majoritarian candidate and a representative of the Mayor in the village - Iruza Kakava joined the advocacy process.

As a result: medical staff visited the village, who, according to the recommendations, consulted the population. People got information where to call, whom to contact in case of having high temperature or in a doubtful situation.

Online informational meeting was held with the residents of the villagers on the conflict separation line. The location this time was the village Kakhati (Zugdidi municipality).

- What are the main problems for the population, what is a priority for them, in which direction they need help and cooperation - the conversation was held regarding these issues.

- The issue of food supply, the organization of spring agricultural work, psychological problems, caused as a result of isolation - the participants of the meeting mainly focused on these issues.

The subsequent process after the identification of problems is the advocacy of these issues, which will be also continued online.

The online meeting with activists of the community of the village Khurcha (Zugdidi Municipality) was especially emotional. It was noted that mainly elderly people live in the community of the village Khurcha. The whole village is a risk zone, and this exacerbates fear.

At the meeting, it was repeatedly mentioned that the population is very worried about the families of relatives who are in Gali and live in difficult conditions.

Despite the emotional background regarding the pandemic, people try to maintain stability and take into account general recommendations.

“Violation of the rights of women / girls in villages near the conflict separation line” - two more villages of the Zugdidi municipality: Kakhati and Shamgona were included in the survey conducted in this direction. As a result of the analysis of the data obtained, appropriate recommendations will be developed, the advocacy of which will be conducted at the local level.

80 women were interviewed in March in the villages near the conflict border line: Khurcha and Orsantia (Zugdidi municipality). The survey is part of the monitoring, which aims to collect data existing in terms of violation of women's rights in the villages and to develop appropriate recommendations.

According to the project, monitoring takes place in six villages that are on located near the conflict border line - from Zugdidi and Tsalenjikha municipalities.

Monitoring on the topic “Violation of women’s rights in villages on the conflict line” continues. The field monitor conducted survey of beneficiaries in the format of questionnaires, focus groups and in-depth interviews in the villages Pakhulani and Tskhoushi (Tsalenjikha municipality). The data obtained will be reflected in the general analysis, and a general picture will be created ragarding the situation in this direction.

- Violation of women’s rights in the villages of conflict separation in Abkhazia - in February, a survey was conducted on these issues in Pakhulani and Tskhoushi (Tsalenjikha municipality), Khurcha, Orsantia, Kakhati and Shamgona (Zugdidi municipality).

205 women were interviewed by field monitors of the Fund “Sukhumi” using methods of survey, focus groups, and in-depth interviews.

- In which areas the rights of women are most violated, what problems concern society, how much they are informed about local state programs - the survey mainly dealt with these issues.

The survey will continue next month.