On May 6, in Kutaisi, the Charity Humanitarian Women Fund “Sukhumi” organized a training for medical personnel on the topic: “The Role of Medical Personnel in Trauma-Informed Communication and Support for Women Survivors of Domestic Violence.”
The training brought together 20 medical professionals - doctors and nurses from Kutaisi, Tskaltubo, Khoni, Senaki, and Zugdidi.
The main goal of the meeting was to raise awareness among medical personnel about trauma-informed approaches, sensitive communication, and response mechanisms in cases of domestic violence. Participants discussed the impact of stereotypical attitudes, the emotional state of women after trauma, and how the first contact with medical personnel can become the beginning of support and a sense of safety for women.
One of the important parts of the training was dedicated to the referral mechanism. Within the block facilitated by Ema Kamkia, participants discussed the roles of the actors involved in the referral process, the responsibilities of medical personnel, documentation issues, cooperation with relevant agencies, and risk assessment mechanisms.
The block on trauma-informed communication was facilitated by Khatuna Gogua. Participants worked on how communication with a woman survivor of violence should be conducted in a way that does not deepen her fear, shame, or sense of insecurity.
During the discussion, participants noted that referral documentation should be more compact and practical, so that it can be used more effectively in real working environments and does not create additional discomfort either for the survivor or for medical personnel.
“We, doctors, have never participated in trainings on such topics before. We received information that is not only important, but necessary for our work,” one of the participants noted.
“We are leaving emotionally and informationally enriched. We reflected on our own responsibility. In our practice, we often come into contact with women survivors of violence, and communication with them is especially important,” said another participant.
At the end of the meeting, participants emphasized the importance of sharing experience and gaining practical knowledge. The training once again highlighted that, when working with women survivors of violence, the role of medical personnel is not limited only to diagnosis and treatment — it is also connected to women’s safety, trust, and support.
The project is implemented with the support of CISU
Organized by the Women Fund “Sukhumi”, a specialized cycle of workshops on trauma-informed approaches to working with women in the community has been completed. The cycle started in May and covered 10 municipalities.
The meetings were held in Kutaisi, Khoni, Tskaltubo, Vani, Terjola, Senaki, Khobi, Zugdidi, Tsalenjikha and Chokhatauri. In total, 100 women participated in the workshops.
The main goal of the working meetings was to provide women with information on recognizing the signs of violence, understanding the impact of trauma, and identifying safe forms of support. Participants discussed why violence may remain unnoticed for a long time, what role fear, silence and societal attitudes play, and why non-judgmental, careful and support-based communication is important.
In their evaluations, participants particularly emphasized the need for such meetings. According to them, the knowledge gained helps women better recognize the signs of violent relationships, both in their own experiences and in the experiences of others.
The cycle once again demonstrated that working with women in the community through a trauma-informed approach is important for creating a safe environment — one where conversation begins not with judgment, but with listening, support and respect for a person’s experience.
The project is implemented with the support of CISU
The publication prepared by the Women Fund “Sukhumi” is based on a quantitative study conducted in November–December 2025, involving 540 women respondents from 10 municipalities of Western Georgia: Tskaltubo, Kutaisi, Khoni, Terjola, Vani, Chokhatauri, Senaki, Zugdidi, Tsalenjikha and Khobi. The study examines women’s safety, experiences of domestic violence and technology-facilitated violence, as well as awareness of, access to and trust in support services.
The study revealed that women’s safety is most affected by unemployment, the risk of losing a job, poverty, migration and insufficient access to services. Stigma surrounding domestic violence also remains a significant problem, often preventing women from openly acknowledging their personal experiences and seeking help. The data also showed that, despite increased awareness of available services, many women still do not have precise information about whom to contact and how to seek assistance in cases of violence or danger.
One of the key findings of the publication is that preventing violence and protecting women cannot be achieved through information-sharing alone. It is essential to strengthen reliable, confidential, geographically and financially accessible services, especially for vulnerable groups: internally displaced women, socially vulnerable women, women living in rural areas and women responsible for caring for persons with disabilities or older family members.
The project is implemented with the support of Brot für die Welt – Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
A new initiative of Women Fund “Sukhumi” has started in Khoni — a gel polish training course that creates an opportunity for women to develop practical skills and strengthen their economic prospects.
On May 1, representatives of the Fund met with the women’s group to learn more about their interests and needs. Today, the participants have already started the learning process.
Within the course, women are mastering gel polish techniques, gaining new professional knowledge, and taking an important step toward self-employment and financial independence.
For the participants, this initiative is not only an opportunity to learn a new profession, but also a space where knowledge, motivation, and support strengthen one another.
The project is implemented with the support of CISU
In Kutaisi, Ekaterine Gamakharia, Head of the Tbilisi Representative Office of the Charity Humanitarian Women Fund “Sukhumi”, conducted a training on the topic: “Trauma-Informed Approach and Understanding the Dynamics of Violence in Working with Women Survivors of Violence.”
The training brought together para-specialists and community leaders who work with women survivors of violence in their daily practice. The aim of the meeting was to strengthen participants’ capacity to apply a trauma-informed approach and to deepen their understanding of the dynamics of violence.
During the training, participants discussed the social roots of violence, the influence of gender norms and stereotypes, violence as a system of control, the cycle and spiral of violence, as well as the impact of trauma on women’s behavior and decision-making.
Special attention was given to practical cases, group work, and the principles of trauma-informed communication. Participants reflected on how women’s reactions and behavior can be understood within the context of trauma, and how to create a safe, non-judgmental space in the support process.
The meeting once again highlighted that working with women survivors of violence begins with understanding, sensitive communication, and recognizing the experiences that affect women’s decisions and emotional state.
The project is implemented with the support of CISU
Women’s Experiences: Recognizing Technology-Facilitated Violence and Ways to Protect Yourself is a brochure that brings together stories based on women’s experiences, showing how, in intimate partner relationships, technologies can become tools of control, surveillance, blackmail, financial pressure, and intrusion into personal space.
The brochure helps readers recognize the early signs of technology-facilitated violence, explains why responsibility never lies with the woman who has experienced violence, and offers practical advice on digital safety, preserving evidence, and seeking support. The publication was prepared by the Women Fund “Sukhumi” within the framework of the project “No Longer Invisible: Recognizing and Responding to Technology-Facilitated Violence in Intimate Partner Relationships”, with the support of the WAVE Network.
The project is implemented with the support of the WAVE Network
A one-month basic manicure training course has started in Senaki, aimed at supporting women’s economic empowerment. Ten women are participating in the program.
The course is led by Nestani Dadiani, a specialist with 20 years of experience in this field. The participants have already received the necessary materials and equipment. The first two lessons have also been conducted.
The program gives participants an opportunity to acquire new practical skills and consider employment or self-employment opportunities. At the same time, the course serves as a space where, alongside learning, women strengthen their confidence in their own abilities and their motivation toward economic independence.
Such initiatives play an important role in creating new perspectives for women and helping them plan a more stable future.
The project is implemented with the support of CISU
A workshop on the topic “Identifying, Supporting, and Responding to Domestic Violence Against Women in Local Communities” was held in Geguti village, Tskaltubo Municipality. The meeting brought together 10 women.
During the workshop, participants received information about different forms of domestic violence, ways to identify them, and available support services. Special attention was given to less visible forms of violence that are often difficult to recognize.
The meeting was conducted in an interactive format. Participants shared their views and experiences. According to them, such meetings strengthen mutual support and increase readiness to seek and provide help when needed.
The project is implemented with the support of CISU
Based on the brochure prepared by Women Fund “Sukhumi” - “Women’s Experiences of Different Forms of Violence” - a video has been created that brings together the stories of three women.
The video presents the experiences of Ana, Lia and Tea, clearly illustrating that violence against women manifests in different forms - including psychological pressure, physical aggression, and situations where a woman seeks help but the system fails to provide effective protection.
The video aims to support the recognition of different forms of violence, raise awareness on the issue, and highlight the importance of support for women.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
The new brochure prepared by Women Fund “Sukhumi” - “Women’s Experiences of Different Forms of Violence” - brings together stories of women living in different municipalities of Western Georgia.
The publication shows how violence against women manifests itself in different forms - including psychological, physical, economic and digital violence, as well as institutional barriers - and why these experiences so often remain invisible and unspoken.
The brochure is based on the research conducted by Women Fund “Sukhumi” and on data collected by its monitoring group. The stories included in the publication have been adapted and the names changed for women’s safety. Its aim is to help identify violence, break the silence, and raise awareness of available support services.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)