During informational meetings with young women the theme of conflict was
discussed with a special interest. According to young women it is possible to
manage any conflict, if both parties have necessary experience and knowledge
and such meetings should be held in all cities that young people could make
full-fledged conflict analysis and find a way out of any situation.
In the second part of the meetings participants talked about
trafficking. They were actively involved in the discussion of that topic and
sited a lot of real-life examples of how their relatives and friends became
victims of trafficking. They were advised whom they should contact in such
situation, how to find necessary information.
The meetings were held in Kutaisi, Khoni, Koki, Senaki and Poti. Among
the participants were young women who came to stay with their relatives for
summer. They expressed particular interest in the meetings and said that they
would distribute the obtained information in their cities.
The project is
implemented with the support of the organization EED Evangelischer
Entwicklungsdienst.
Network
meetings were so interesting that have become a tradition in the clubs. Members
of the Club of Women-Voters of Ozurgeti hosted representatives of Batumi Club -
Eteri Diasamidze, Zhuzhuna Davitadze and Meri Tsintsadze.
The women
from Batumi were interested in social programs of Ozurgeti.
A journalist
Tsitsi Kupradze talked about cultural, sport and other events. Ketevan
Kadeishvili and Nino Nikolaishvili talked about the problems of the local
population (unemployment, migration, poor quality of water) and solutions to
these problems.
Women
from Batumi told about problems solved by advocacy group for the last few
months. In the settlement "Tamari” were solved the issues of open manholes and
spoiled elevators.
In
conclusion, participants talked about the importance of such meetings:
- We
have shared our experience and think it is necessary to hold such meetings more
often.
- It
is interesting to hear how women from other regions solve certain problems.
Network
meetings will be continued. At the next meeting members of other clubs will
share their experiences.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization NED – National
Endowment for Democracy, USA
When going to a meeting, I know in advance that I’ll become calm, obtain necessary information.
-I am leaving the meeting more cheerful and lively. I become bolder and perceive problems from another angle.
- I’ve learnt about the Women's Support Center from my friend. I really like when we talk about our concerns. There is such an atmosphere, that we have a natural need to fully open up and throw out negative emotions.
These are impressions of women which are often heard at meetings of psychologist of Fund "Sukhumi". From 15 to 29 June the psychologist met with women in three different settlements of IDPs in Kutaisi ("Enterprise of invalids", "Baby House ", "Cottages").
At the meetings participants actively discussed the issue - Do women need mask to establish relationships? Majority believes that if woman uses mask for a good cause, of course, its use is always justified.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization EED Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst.
"I was raised in a traditional Georgian family, where man is the main and woman depends on him. The same situation is all the families around me. I took it for granted until I began to attend meetings of Fund "Sukhumi". Much has changed in me. Woman has the ability and capacity to manage family. Husband and wife should take decisions together".
"I am a supporter of gender equality. We - women have a huge unused potential. The emergence of women in any sphere, positively balances situation. This meeting gave me a special incentive - to be more active. Time, situation is being changed. We must create a new society. I do not see anything wrong in equality. Why should not we work to achieve it?"- such opinions could be heard at a meeting with young women in Koki. The theme of the meeting - "Gender Equality" - turned to be interesting for the participants. At the end of the meeting it was notable that some changes began in their consciousness: the girls have an ambition to start work on gender equality with themselves and their families.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization EED Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst.
"Woman has to play many roles throughout her life. The objective of our meetings - help women to properly play their roles in life. If after meeting with a psychologist life of at least one participant changes a little for the better, we can assume that the goal is achieved", - says the psychologist.
There were held six meetings of the psychologist with women IDPs from Abkhazia the Women's Support Center in May. The theme and the purpose of the meetings were conditioned by the problems that have been accumulated in daily lives of women: "The main role of woman in life" (what roles she has to play in reality).
6 meetings were attended by 102 young women and women aged 16 to 67.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization EED Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst.
The Women’s Support Centres in Kutaisi, Tskhaltubo, Khoni, Senaki, Poti and Khurcha continue to work actively. Many problems of population were defined during meetings of the mobilizers with IDPs; in Senaki in the settlement of IDPs still exists the problem of legalizing accomodations. A woman living in the same settlement, was worried by the issue of water supply in her apartment. The mobilizers and a lawyer-consultant applied with a letter to the Joint Water Campaign of Abasha, Senaki and Khobi. The problem has been solved.
One of the main problems for IDPs living in collective centers of Tskhaltubo still remains the problem of resettlement. The population is tired of inaccurate information about the resettlement. In addition to the above problem, there is a problem of insect breeding in summer. IDPs living in a new settlement also have many problems. Residents of that settlement express concern that, in the basements of houses filled with water, there is a danger of breeding snakes.
The mobilizers of the aforementioned centers, women IDPs and locals, are actively working with local leaders to solve problems of population.
Five meetings held in Women's Support Centers, were attended by young women aged 17 to 20. The theme – "Communication and its mechanisms" was very interesting. At the meetings, the young women talked about problems that exist around them. Despite the fact that many of them are already married, they try to find time to participate in the meetings, because there they learn how to protect their rights, improve the culture of speech.
As to the main theme of the meetings young women hold interesting discussions giving examples from real life.
Interactive showed that these meetings are very important - cognitive for the participants.
Nino Tkabladze (Khoni): "I believe that communication skills are necessary quality for human. My vocation is to be active in the community, doing things I love, be a leader, to try to find common ground with people".
Nino Gablaia (Poti): "I got married early, but I think that in addition to family concerns a woman should find her place in society".
The project is implemented with the support of the organization EED Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst.
Women have to do many things in their everyday life, which affects them mentally and physically. The women who came to the meetings, try to speak frankly with psychologist, to find answers to the accumulated questions and ways of problems solution.
"People like to focus on negative sides of others, and not to talk about themselves. Why do people like to delve into the lives of others? Why do not they talk about themselves? Everyone should ask themselves what they want, what they strive for, which way of life selects. As for the others, we must try to understand them and accept them as they are", - the psychologist’s advice to women - participants of the meetings.
In collective centers of Kutaisi the psychologist of Fund "Sukhumi" held eight group meetings, attended by 93 women aged 17 to 63.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization EED Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst.
In Kutaisi, in the office of Fund "Sukhumi" was
held a meeting of the representatives of the Women's League from eight towns of
Western Georgia (Kutaisi, Tskhaltubo, Khoni, Khobi, Ozurgeti, Poti, Batumi, and
Zugdidi).
Participants of the meeting elaborated a Platform of the
Women's league. The main objective of the League - consolidation and
unification of efforts of women to achieve equal opportunities for their participation
in all decision-making structures, strengthening of gender equality principles
in building a democratic state.
The basic principle of the Platform for Action is
protecting of women's rights, empowerment and achieving of gender equality.
The goals of the Platform for Action: ensuring the
implementation of measures to increase the impact of Women's League in Western
Georgia, expanding of dialogue with local authorities, identification and
impact on solution of problems of local people in 8 towns of Western Georgia, influencing
the increase of civic participation of women-voters in the parliamentary
elections of 2012.
At the network
meeting there were identified strategic goals of the women's leagues:
1. Increasing the level of women – voters’
participation in the parliamentary elections by 20% compared with the previous
parliamentary elections;
2. Achieve the level of women-members of parliament -
at least 30%;
3. The issue of free childbirth for women, the average
level of economic provision;
4. Preparation of proposals on the establishment of
penalties for perpetrators to make amendments to the law on domestic violence;
5. Achieve 50% of women’s participation formal
negotiation process;
6. Achieve 35% of women in local authorities.
Participants listened to the moderators’ information about
the work of the Club of Women-Voters. According to them a lot of problems have
been solved (in the village Pirveli Khorga of Khobi District rehabilitation of
bridges was accelerated, in Khoni socially vulnerable populations and IDPs from
Abkhazia were exempted from payment of utility bills for water and electricity
supply) as a result of cooperation with local government and media.
At the end of the meeting emphasis was placed on the
importance of collaboration - networking of the Women’s League. They planned to
conduct many contests, exhibitions ad excursions.
The project is implemented with the support of the
organization NED – National Endowment for Democracy, USA.
To expand cooperation, representatives of Fund "Sukhumi” met with representatives of the local government of Khoni – BesarionChelidze (Deputy Chairperson of Khoni Municipality Sakrebulo) and BachanaBasiladze (Chief Specialist of Khoni Municipality).
At the meeting they said that local government supported the advocacy group of the Club of Women-Voters and relieved socially vulnerable IDPs living in a military town of Khoni (collective center of IDPs) from paying communal bills(for water, electricity). It was alsomentioned that issue of water supply (water is supplied only for an hour a day)for the IDPs would be solved as soon as possible.
"We have been cooperating with Fund" Sukhumi" for long time. The work of the advocacy group to address everyday problems helps us to see and solve common problems of the town. We are ready for joint cooperation", - BachanaBasilaia.
Local governmentof Khobiexpressed willingness to support advocacy group of the Club of Women-Voters of Fund "Sukhumi" in solving problems of local population.
Representatives of Fund "Sukhumi" met with the head of KhoniSakrebulo, Lela Shamatava.
The objective of the meeting was to expand cooperation between Fund "Sukhumi" and Khobi local government, contribute to advocacy of problems raised by the advocacy group of the Club of Women-Voters. On the question of a representative of Fund "Sukhumi" whetherthe gender aspect is taken into account in the decision-making process in terms of women’sinvolvement, Lela Shamatava said: "The involvement of women in decision-making process is conditioned by socio-economic background in the country. Also important are desireof an individual, his or her ambition and internal resources. Such persons have not yet been identified".
On May 14 President Tskhaltubo the Chairperson of Cultural-Humanitarian Fund "Sukhumi", Alla Gamakharia and the Chairperson of the City Council of Tskhaltubo, Mamuka Sagareishvili signed a Memorandum of Mutual Understanding. The memorandum identified the main areas of joint activity - organizing the information space, information sharing, supporting youth initiatives, strengthening the role and quality of women's involvement, cooperation on issues of advocacy, lobbying and public campaigns, and etc.
There were also defined the responsibilities and obligations of the parties of the Memorandum.
After signing of the Memorandum in their interviews with journalists the parties fixed the importance of this cooperation for the promotion of gender equality and women's rights in building a democratic society.
The cooperation of Fund "Sukhumi” with local self-government of Ozurgeti
has been continued. In particular, support and promote advocacy of problems
raised by advocacy group of the Club of Women Voters.
Representatives of Fund "Sukhumi” met with a representative
Ozurgeti City Council Aleko Mameshvili.
When asked whether there were positive mechanisms for active involvement
of women candidates in the election process and decision-making, the answer was
as follows: "The problem is not who will be deputy majority - male or
female candidate, the main is that this person was acceptable to society and a
professional. As to the cooperation with the Fund
"Sukhumi", we agree to support the solution to all problems, which,
under the force of local government.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization NED – National
Endowment for Democracy, USA.
The cooperation of Fund "Sukhumi” with local self-government of Ozurgeti has been continued. In particular, support and promote advocacy of problems raised by advocacy group of the Club of Women Voters.
Representatives of Fund "Sukhumi” met with a representative Ozurgeti City Council Aleko Mameshvili.
When asked whether there were positive mechanisms for active involvement of women candidates in the election process and decision-making, the answer was as follows: "The problem is not who will be deputy majority - male or female candidate, the main is that this person was acceptable to society and a professional in his field. As to the cooperation with the Fund "Sukhumi", we agree to support the solution to all problems, which, under the force of urban management.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization NED – National Endowment for Democracy, USA.
In April, mobilizers of the Women's Support Centers conducted 36 meetings in Kutaisi, Khoni, Tskhaltubo, Senaki, Poti, and Khurcha.
The objective of the meetings of mobilizers was to help residents of collective centers in solving their problems (issues of resettlement, prevention of domestic violence, integration of IDPs), as well as provide them timely with the information on the consultations of psychologist and lawyer.
As a result of meetings the mobilizers solved many different problems of IDPs (installation of additional garbage cans in the new settlement of IDPs in Poti, problems associated with pensions and other benefits in Senaki, the problem of electricity in Khurcha), that increased their confidence in the Women's Support Centers.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization EED Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst.
In March there were held five meetings of psychologist with women IDPs aged 18 to 58 living in collective centres of Kutaisi.
The theme of the meetings was "Aggressive children”, and the purpose was to understand why there are so many aggressive children and how to fight against this.
"I often say my sun to stop playing aggressive computer games but after my remarks he further shrinks into his shell. What should I do?”
"I advise all the parents, who face with aggressiveness of their children, pay attention to their behavior with children or other family members. Try to set a good example for your children"- says the psychologist.
During the discussion participants said that everything starts from early childhood, relationship skills, which are formed in family. According to the psychologist, parents do not attach importance to manifestation of aggression among pre-school children, because it is not so evident. Also media, Internet, various aggressive computer games have a very big impact on children’s psyche and reduce the feeling of empathy, resulting in deficiency of moral and emotional qualities in adolescents".
The project is implemented with the support of the organization EED Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst.
Representatives of Fund "Sukhumi” met with IDPs living in two collective centres of Kutaisi ("Electromechanical Lyceum" and "Ankom”).
This was the final meeting where participants were provided with the information on issues of resettlement and expressed hope that their cooperation with Fund "Sukhumi” will be prolonged in the future too and will contribute to the solution of pressing issues.
The project is implemented with the support of international organization Conciliation Resources (Great Britain).
