Civil forum on the topic "Woman’s solidarity against gender based violence” organized by Fund "Sukhumi” was held on March 9th in Kutaisi, in the hotel "Tiripebi”.
Unlike previous forums, participants of the forum were members of Fund "Sukhumi”, including moderators and volunteers from Ozurgeti, Batumi, Khobi, Tskhaltubo, Khoni and Poti.
The work style was non-traditional. Participants worked in six different cafes (café of NGOs, Media, youth, Georgian women, Georgian men and café of women’s movement) and discussed the topic from different positions.
The problem of women’s solidarity was discussed in the following direction: What should be done for achieving women’s solidarity against gender violence in the process of reconciliation and politics?
During the presentations there were showed positions of all six groups: women should be more active for gaining solidarity, they should struggle against stereotypes, active inclusion in peacemaking activity, increasing of legal consciousness, economic independence of women etc.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization EED Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst.
On the 5th of March in Tbilisi (hotel "Old Tbilisi”) was held a conference on the topic "Dialogue between the government of Georgia and civil society on adjustment of relations”.
Organizers of the conference were: Centre of Economics and Business, Association "Peaceful and Business Caucasus”, Temporary Commission of Georgian Parliament on the issues of Restoration of Territorial Integrity.
Among speakers were representatives of non-governmental organizations, independent experts, and also representatives of Government and Parliament.
Representatives of Fund "Sukhumi” and Fund of Women-Entrepreneurs took active part in the Conference.
Dialogue between Georgian, Abkhaz and Ossetian societies is almost interrupted in Georgia. Search of the new peace ways and active participation of women in peacemaking activity becomes more and more important. Women IDPs from Ossetia and Abkhazia are uniting and starting work actively for the sake of peace and security, rebuilding of confidence.
On the 4th of May in the office of Fund "Sukhumi” was organized a Round table on the topic "Increasing of women’s role in the process of peace resolution of conflict and rebuilding of confidence”. Organizers of the meeting were Cultural-Humanitarian Fund "Sukhumi” and Union of Wives of Invalids and Lost Warriors of Georgia”.
-We have the same pain. Only together, supporting each other we can find ways for reconciliation with Abkhazians and Ossetians. Only through solidarity we can achieve peace and security, - was told at the meeting.
At the end of the Round table there was adopted a Memorandum on creation of public union "Women for Peace and Security”. Having signed the Memorandum women IDPs from Abkhazia and Ossetia clearly expressed their readiness for joining this movement.
Memorandum
We – womenIDPs from Abkhazia and Tskhinvali region, participants of the Round table (held on March 4th, 2010, Kutaisi) on the topic "Increasing of women’s role in peace resolution of conflict and rebuilding of confidence” organized by Cultural-Humanitarian Fund "Sukhumi” and Union of Wives of Invalids and Lost Warriors” realizing necessity of women’s participation in the process of building democratic State and civil society in Georgia;
Considering that increase of women’s participation in decision making processes will have positive influence on the future development of society;
Realizing and confirming important role of women in establishing of security, confidence, resolution and prevention of conflict;
Emphasizing women’s equal participation in efforts aimed at keeping of peace and security and necessity of increasing their role in conflict prevention and in decision making process connected with conflict resolution;
Confirming necessity of women’s resource integration at all levels of public life;
Create women’s movement "Women for Peace and Security”. The purpose of this movement is to support women’s active participation in peace resolution of conflicts and restoration of confidence;
And express wish for joining women’s movement "Women for Peace and Security” and use own experience and skills to establish security in the country and peace resolution of conflicts in Georgia.
Women’s movement "Women for Peace and Security” is based on equality principles. Any woman who wants to be actively involved in peace processes of the country and who feel necessity of women’s resource integration in the given direction, can join this movement.
The project is implemented with the support of Kvinna till Kvinna, women’s Swedish Foundation.
On March 1-3 in the office of CTC in Tbilisi there was held a conference organized by the two international organizations-donors BfdW and EED. Participants of the Conference were 34 national NGOs from the countries of Southern Caucasus – Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia.
The topic of the conference: Process of merging of two organizations BfdW and EED and key issues regarding this merge.
There was discussed perspective and visions of organizations for 2013. There were lectures as well as interactive work.
Participants acquired not only new skills, but defined perspectives for future cooperation.
Chairperson of Fund "Sukhumi” Mrs. Alla Gamakharia and Chairperson of Fund of Women-Entrepreneurs participated in the conference.
A regular screening training for the School of young women-leaders was held in Women’s Support Centre of Khoni. At the three day training young women had possibility to reveal their opportunities. During practical exercises and role games they showed their leader qualities.
- Of course, not all of us will become students of the Leaders’ school but the training itself is a good school where we can show our possibilities, analyze what we can do, - mentioned training participants.
New students have been selected for the School of Young-women leaders who will carry out active work with the youth in the future.
The project is implemented with the support of Kvinna till Kvinna, women’s Swedish Foundation
Except Clubs of Women-Voters, functioning in seven cities of Western Georgia, another club was established in Tskhaltubo on the first of March.
Participants of the meeting were provided with the information about activity of Fund "Sukhumi”, main objectives and tasks of the project, future plans of Club’s activity.
During the acqauintance there were revealed positions of participants. Attendies emphasized the necessity of women’s mobilization and their involvement in politics.
-I welcome establishment of the Club in Tskhaltubo. There is great women’s resource. I think that we can define problems of the population in Tskhaltubo and take active participation in solution of these problems, - was mentioned at the meeting.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization NED – National Endowment for Democracy, USA.
Since February scenes of Forum-theatre of Fund "Sukhumi” have been changed: violence in family between sisters and brothers reasoned by girls’ style of dressing and make-up; violence in schools when one of pupils is forced to smoke, psychological impact on a girl wearing glasses because her classmates play practical jokes on her.
Renewed Forum-theatre was held in St. George’s gymnasium in Zugdidi and in school # 11 of Khobi. The performances were attended by pupils and teachers of these schools.
Scenes of violence made audience seriously think over the problem of violence. In their opinion society should express more protest to different forms of violence and struggle actively against it.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization EED Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst.
In February Fund "Sukhumi” organized three meetings of lawyer in Women’s Support Centre in Kutaisi, Khoni and Tskhaltubo. In the meetings participated IDPs, students, and school children.
Lawyer rendered consultations on different legal issues and in particular how Civil Registry Agencies serve persons speeded up, about obligatory and voluntary forms of insurance.
Participants were also provided with the information about the cases when IDPs may be forcibly moved from the objects they are living in, and about agencies which implement this process.
School children got consultations on rights and obligations of parents, specific measures on protection of teenagers from domestic violence.
At the meeting they also paid special attention to guiding principles based on the State Strategy on IDPs according to which they provide IDPs with long-term premises.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization EED Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst.
In February, the main purpose of the meetings with political parties was to set plans of cooperation with Clubs of Women-Voters and evaluation of parties’ preparation for the forthcoming local elections.
The following political parties were visited: United National Movement (Poti, Batumi), Republic Party of Georgia (Poti), The New Rights Party of Georgia (Batumi).
In Batumi City organization of the United National Movement, they say that increase of women’s representation in politics is directly connected with the public order. Since women make up 56% of the voters of Georgia, the chances are bigger to present this demand to political parties. It is necessary to mobilize women voters and strengthen working with them to achieve the overall purpose.
The New Rights Party of Georgia in Batumi lays major hopes on the women leaders, who possess all characterstics for a successful politician: professionalism, authority, feeling of responsibility and etc. One of such women, Sopo Kakhadze is in charge of women’s union in the party. The majority of the party members in the election commission will be represented by women.
Women make up about 40 % of the small number of the members of the Republic Party of Georgia in Poti. Election lists of the Republican Party are drawn up based on liberal principles, that means free selection of candidates. Women and men have equal rights to be presented in election lists
The women members of the youth branch of United National Movement of Georgia in Poti are distingushed with the special activeness. Seven of them have passed successfully the certification of the workers of Central Election Commission. They say in the party, that increase of women’s representation at local level will contribute to focusing on different kind of social problems. For this purpose, motivate, competitive and purposeful women should be represented in the election lists.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization NED – National Endowment for Democracy, USA.
The UN Resolutions 1325 and 1820, Beijing platform – how far young women are acquainted with these documents, how important it is to know these documents and how they work on practice – these issues were discussed by girls – participants of the meetings held in Kutaisi (22.02.10), Khoni (24.02.10) and Senaki (26.02.10).
Young women think that existence of these documents is not the most important thing, but it is important to learn and implement them.
- Knowledge of these documents will help us to establish equality in society and be protected from violence, - Dariko Kvaratskhelia.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization EED Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst
Members of Ozurgeti Club of Women-Voters fixed their pre-election mood. It was mentioned there that women-candidates for the local self-government elections in Ozurgeti had not been defined yet.
Director of a secondary school of Ozurgeti Nana Gagua who is one of the active members of the Club shared impressions about her stay in Great Britain. She stayed in Manchester for a month. The project financed by European Union was directed at promotion of inclusive education and inclusion of individuals in community.
Members of the club expressed their opinions and hope that Nana would use the obtained experience in the development of her school.
The meeting was also attended by the journalist of the local newspaper "Guria news”. Information about the meeting will be published in the new number of the newspaper.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization NED – National Endowment for Democracy, USA.
In February psychologist of Fund "Sukhumi” carried out 16 group meetings in different cities of Imereti region (Kutaisi, Tskhaltubo, Khoni, Samtredia). In total 144 women were rendered psycho-rehabilitation.
Among them 18 women were provided with individual psychological consultations.
As psychologist says, women, basically, speak about family problems. Very often the reason of conflicts is low income in family. In some cases mothers complain of the fact that they can not recognize their children and don’t know why they are so aggressive.
-We get many useful advices and become calmer.
-We help and support each other. Psychologist gives us right direction on how we should solve our problems.
These were opinions of the participants.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization EED Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst.
"Dialogue process on security guarantees in the context of Georgian-Abkhaz conflict” – informational meetings on this topic have been continued among different sections of population.
The last three meetings were organized in Georgian State University of Subtropical Agriculture (Kutaisi, 19.02.10), in Research Centre of the village Anaseuli, Ozurgeti District (23.02.10), in the village Khurcha, Zugdidi District (26.02.10).
Participants were acquainted with the information about analysis of Georgian and Abkhaz civil experts – "Dialogue process on security guarantees in the context of Georgian-Abkhaz conflict”.
In the opinion of the most of participants, agreement on non-resumption of hostilities should exist but at the same time there should be provided security guarantees.
The project is implemented with the support of International Alert, Great Britain.
Training on the topic "Prevention of domestic violence” was held in the office of Fund "Sukhumi” on 23-25 of February. Participants of the training were young people, representatives of NGOs, students and senior pupils.
Family as a social institution, distribution of responsibilities, gender stereotypes, perception of functional roles of man and woman, interpersonal relations in family, conflict in family, reasons and subjects, equality of genders, what is gender violence, family conflict as one of the elements of domestic violence.
These and other issues were discussed during the first block of the training.
Participants were provided with the information about the Law on domestic violence. There were sited examples where victims of violence were women. In the words of participants the reason of violence is that women don’t know their rights.
Stress, subjective and objective reasons of stress, psychological trauma, feelings and emotions of people suffered from psychological trauma – these issues were discussed during the last block of the trainings.
Participants mentioned that they obtained much new and useful information which would help them avoid violence in their future life.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization EED Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst.
A regular broadcast from the cycle "Woman and non-violent society” offers listeners opinions of specialists, common people, women-victims of violence about issues connected with domestic violence.
Psychologist of Fund "Sukhumi” speaks about the programme on psycho-rehabilitation within the framework of which women’s problems become obvious. The fact that psychologist’s institute is being introduced constantly is noticeable.
Legal consultations basically regard changes made in the Law against domestic violence, most of which will come into force since April 2010.
The topic of reproductive health is directly connected with the issue of women’s protection from violence, - these are opinions of specialists involved in the programme.
Forum-theatre implements its mission well: participants discuss and exchange their opinions even after performance. Young people, elders are equally involved in this process. In the opinions of interviewers great attention should be paid to improvement of social background, personal responsibility of every member of family, support and respect of others’ efforts.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization EED Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst.
-The system of quoting has justified itself in many civilized countries. It would be good to adopt this system in our country, - most of the members of Zugdidi Club of Women-Voters support quoting system. They are ready to support women-candidates in the local self-government elections.
A member of the Club, Elza Kvaratskhelia who is a member of the National party at the same time, informed that by the end of March her party would publish lists including many women.
At the meeting participants discussed an important problem of their city – Zugdidi botanic garden famous for its unique plants is almost on the verge of extermination. Members of the Club initiated different measures for the solution of this problem.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization NED – National Endowment for Democracy, USA.
At the meeting of Club of Women-Voters, held in Khoni, at desire of members of the Club were invited representative of Regional department of the Ministry of Georgia on IDPs and accommodation in Imereti, Racha-Lechkhumi and Zemo Svaneti – deputy chairperson, Jano Zosiashvili and chief specialist, Nukri Letodiani. Guests heard about those basic problems of IDPs living in Khoni. The conversation touched upon prolonged and low-quality repair works carried out in their collective centre and incorrect redistribution of living space among IDPs.
Participants of the meeting mentioned that IDPs need more support from local department on IDPs as well as from the Ministry on IDPs and Accommodation, since implementation of the State programme on accommodation does not mean full solution of the problem.
Participants said that the meeting was fruitful since they received answers to many important issues.
Representatives of the department promised to gain timely solution of the discussed problems.
Based on the interests of IDPs Club of Women-Voters will try to arrange such meetings in the future too.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization NED – National Endowment for Democracy, USA.
