A regular action within the framework of the international campaign against gender violence was held by the first graduates of the Leaders’ school at the central square and the territory near to the market of Kutaisi.
Activists were divided into two groups. They distributed blue scarves and booklets not only among women but also men and children
Most of the action participants were young people. This was a very special sign for the first event of the 16-day campaign, as the youth, in the first place, should realize that violence against women is evil.
The action, conducted by the Women's Support Center, was attended by representatives of local government, famous people of the town and the IDP community.
All of them believe that violence against women must be condemned not only on the day of action, but also in everyday life.
Press-briefing was held in the office of Fund "Sukhumi” at 12 p.m.
The theme of the press briefing was clear to the representatives of regional and republican mass media, because after many years of cooperation, journalists are well aware of the meaning of November 25 and 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence.
The attendees were given the campaign attributes and the calendar plan of events. All of them expressed their desire to participate in the campaign and highlight different events in media.
Over forty people gathered in the center of Khoni by joint efforts of the Women’s Support Centre and the Club of Women-Voters.
Khoni joined the international campaign with the action, where participated many local and IDP people. They shared a commitment to end violence against women which is so widespread in society.
The action was organized by the Club of women voters of Fund "Sukhumi”, but it united the women’s organizations working in Zugdidi:Association "Merkuri”, "Imedi”, "Gender Network of Samegrelo”, "Samegrelo Medea”.
The teachers of the Seminary of St. George, the journalists from radio "Atinati” and TV "Maestro” participated in the action, which was also supported by the representatives of the European Union Monitoring Mission and the international organization – Human Rights Watch.
It was particularly important that the HIV/AIDS Patients' Support Foundation joined the action, since December 1st (one of the days within the 16-day campaign) is the World Aids Day.
In
evening of 31th of October women gathered in the public garden of "November
25” of Fund "Sukhumi” in Kutaisi, Western Georgia.
All of
them wore green scarves and had candles in their hands. The vigil was held
within the framework of the international campaign "No women, No peace!”
One of
the slogans expressed solidarity to Afghan women for their right to take active
participation in building of peace and democratic society.
The
vigil was held on the day of signing the UN Security Council Resolution 1325. Even
after 11 years of adoption of this document women’s potential has not yet been
used in policy making and peace processes.
"Let’s
make efficient the UN Resolution 1325 for peace and security!” – says the second
slogan of the vigil. It is a message for those who prevent women’s involvement
in building of democratic state.
The
vigil which lasted for an hour drew public attention. It was covered by the
local TV company "Rioni”, central TV companies "Public broadcasting”, "IMEDI”,
and radio "Tavisupleba”.
The
same vigils were held simultaneously in different towns of Western Georgia: Tskhaltubo,
Khoni, Zugdidi, Ozurgeti, Batumi, Khurcha, Senaki, and Poti.
The
evening was rainy but women did not break up for an hour. About two hundred
women expressed unanimous support to international women’s movement the main
purpose of which is achieving of peace and equality.
Within the framework of the campaign the action in Poti was held near the railway station.
"Woman has the right to live without violence!”, "Violence is evil!” – inscriptions on posters reflected all that participants of the silent action in white T-shirts wanted to say about.
- Violence is evil, regardless of against whom it is committed and must be eradicated.
- Society should take a sober attitude to violence! - similar remarks could be heard from passers-by. There were handed out leaflets and posters about the campaign.
On November 25 - International Day Against Gender Violence was launched the 16-day international campaign against gender violence.
This year the campaign marks its 20th anniversary.
Every year, fund "Sukhumi" actively participates in the international campaign.
Within the framework of this campaign on November 25 inKutaisi, Zugdidi, Khobi, Khoni, Tskhaltubo, Poti Ozurgeti, Senaki were carried out silent actions with the slogan "Violence is evil!".
In Kutaisi the action began at 13 pm.
Fund "Sukhumi" took over the patronage of the public garden on # 11 Tamar mepe st., which was named "Public garden of November 25th.
The action was held in this garden. Participants of the Action were Fund members, activists, women leaders, women entrepreneurs.
The silence of women in white T-shirts were voiced by the slogans: "Let’s unite against gender violence!", "Let’s oppose to violence!". There were handed out leaflets and posters highlighting the campaign. The action was also covered by the First Channel of the Central television, regional TV companies "Rioni", "Mega TV", representatives of the print media: newspapers – PS, Akhali Kutaisi.
The action quickly attracted the attention of citizens. Many of them were interested in the history of the campaign.
At 1400, in the central public garden gathered more than 50 women in white T-shirts. Despite the silence of women society understood well the purpose of the action, as reflected in the slogan – End violence against women!
There were distributed leaflets and posters about the action.
About 30 women in white T-Shirts gathered at the building of the Museum, immediately attracted the attention of the public. The silent Action announced society about launching of the 16-day campaign against gender violence. In the action participated members of the Club of Women-Voters, women-leaders.
Passers-by were handed out leaflets and posters. The action was covered by local TV company "Odishi”.
The action in Ozurgeti dedicated to the 16-day campaign against gender violence was held in the central park.
"End violence against women!” – the action was joined by the representatives of the local self-government, journalists of newspapers "Guriis moambe” and "Alioni”. There were handed out posters, calendars and booklets about the actions.
In the centre of the small town Khobi, in front of the cinema "Tutarchela”, at the memorial "Mzechabuki” there was held the action against gender violence with the slogan "End violence against women!”
In the action participated more than 30 women – activists of Fund "Sukhumi”, members of the Club of Women-Voters, teachers, and journalists from the local press "Khobis moambe”. Participants were in white T-shirts with the slogan – Equal rights – equal opportunities!
Society expressed great interest to the silent action, which reminded everyone once again that violence is evil!
Within the framework of the campaign women of Fund "Sukhumi” held the action in Tskhaltubo. Women in white T-shirts attracted society to the Silent action.
"Violence is evil!” "Oppose to Violence!” – the slogans of the action interested passers-by who asked about the purpose of the action and expressed open support to the participants.
On October 28, at 12 o'clock in the central part of Kutaisi activists of fund "Sukhumi" handed out leaflets to citizens, highlighting the UN Resolution 1325.
A Peace action was devoted to the tenth anniversary of the Resolution.
Woman, peace and security – inscriptions on T-shirts acquainted citizens with the essence of the Resolution.
The event was covered by local television companies "Rioni" and "Mega TV”.
Activities, dedicated to the UN Resolution 1325, passed in different cities of Georgia.
It was symbolical that the silent Action in Akhaltsikhe started at the Monument of the Queen Tamar.
Then women started walking in different directions: some of them to the University and some to Administrative centre. Participants hanged out posters, distributed agitation materials.
Representatives of the local television also attended the Action and promised to cover it today. It should be noted, that two days before the Action there was showed a TV plot reflecting the process of preparation for the Action.
A volunteer from Sweden also participated in the Action and was actively involved in the process. She stopped cars and offered leaflets to people.
Actions were also carried out in administrative centres – Adigeni, Minadze and Skhvlisi.
Today tens of women reminded voters that everyone should vote for women in the local self-government elections to have a strong country.
The project is implemented with the support of the Urgent Action Fund (UAF), USA
