The radio show, prepared by the fund “Sukhumi” reflected the results of the researches conducted by Kutaisi GAC.
What scale research was conducted, who were the target groups? How do the persons, involved in the research evaluate implemented work: respondents’ interviews reflected special gender needs of different groups, revealed as a result of the research.
The show was devoted to council members’ position, how do they see solution ways of several problems existing in the city and how are they going to participate in their solution.
What is the importance of community efforts to reduce domestic violence; How does separate responsible circle react on specific cases; How do the beneficiaries evaluate psychological services of the foundation; How effective is the work of social workers, how and in what direction do they cooperate with the Fund; Women's Support Centers’ mobilizers about importance of information exchange - Radio "Dzveli kalaki" broadcasted this and other interesting issues.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt – Evangelischer Entwicklunsdienst (Germany)
A story, aired by the Radio “Dzveli Kalaki” related about Kutaisi GAC activities. Council members highly evaluated the training, organized but the Fund “Sukhumi”.
“It helped us to work on necessary conception of Local Self-Government gender day schedule.”
“Up today, gender was used only in frames of women’ rights. Trainings helped me to enlarge my areal of view.”
“Meetings defined council strategy and activities. This will promote to solve numerous problematic issues”.
“We want to be actively involved in the monitoring, that will promote envisaging obligatory gender standards in the process regarding building of new kindergartens.”
“For the given moment we, council members are actively involved in the research and see that lots of issues need our united strength.”
Interviews with council members show that they deeply recognize own responsibility for women’s protection and social justice.
The show, aired in Radio "Dzveli Kalaki” told the viewers about a
round-table, conducted by the Fund "Sukhumi” in Zugdidi. As the participants
told, "people attended there; want to take part In the process of solving the
problem of violence in family”.
The show aired the work of different structures for the elimination of
violence. Positive results were revealed, which were reached through close
cooperation and systematic exchange of information between these structures and
the main is the will and activities of local government to find the ways and
resources for the prevention of violence and assistance of the victims.
The project
is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt – Evangelischer Entwicklunsdienst
(Germany)
What happens in Adjara, mainly in Batumi
through the direction of women’s political participation? What is the share of
NGOs and mainly the Fund "Sukhumi” in this process? What are the aims of GCC,
who are the members and how do the plan to assist integration of gender needs
in the local budget and citizens’ active involvement in local self-government?
Radio "Freedom” is ready to air all steps directed to activate women.
One of the radio shows was devoted to a round
table, where the participants talked about local gender perspectives, the
necessity of collaboration between state structures and society. It was obvious
that public groups, local NGOs have positive expectations towards GCC
activities and consider its strategy, to be the mediator between different
civil groups and local self-government, optimal.
The plot on radio "Tavisufleba” broadcasted about the work started in Batumi by Fund "Sukhumi”. As it was mentioned the Gender Advisory Council has already been established within the framework of the project, the Memorandum has been signed with the City Council, the training has been held, which will help the Council members to carry out needs assessment and identify current problems.
How will the Gender Advisory Council influence on local gender policy? Are legislative and executive governments ready for cooperation? As it appears from the position of the Head of the City Council, they are ready to participate actively in the discussion of local initiatives submitted by the Advisory Council.
The project is implemented with the support of the U.S. Department of State
The radio program of Fund "Sukhumi"
summarized the 16-day campaign.
What showed intense public discussions, the situation
in terms of women’s protection from gender-based violence – the radio program
tells us about wide-scaled actions of the Fund, round tables, civil debates,
and informational meetings.
The program highlighted the activities undertaken by
the fund where was well revealed the willingness of local government to
particulate in violence prevention and protection of victims.
According to respondent’s estimation of the program
the scale of the campaign is growing every year, and the unity of society in
being irreconcilable to violence against women is more visible.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt – Evangelischer
Entwicklunsdienst (Germany)
On air of radio
"Dzveli kalaki" was transmitted a broadcast prepared by the radio
journalist of Fund "Sukhumi", who talks about the work in the local
self-government.
How are local
structures involved in the prevention of domestic violence, how they see their
role and cooperation with NGOs, social agencies, and other state and civic
institutions, what are the specific initiatives in terms of responding to the
problem.
Respondents noted
with regret that there are almost no shelters for victims. The only thing that
they can do is isolation from a perpetrator. As for teenagers, they are placed
in children's homes. The conversation touched upon the experience of Zugdidi,
where city administration, through one program, provides assistance to people
left without homes, including victims of domestic violence.
Representatives of
local self-government express readiness to be actively involved in managing
cases of violence and consider necessary to participate in creation of the
relevant legislation.
According to the
representatives of Fund "Sukhumi”, such trainings have been conducted for three
years and the progress is obvious: "If at first we had to prove that the
problem really exists and requires responding. Now all of them have a little or
a bigger experience related to assistance to victims of violence. There find
resources and the main is, that their responsibility in terms of responding to
the problem is increasing. In addition they show more initiatives – for
example, conduct trainings for employees of organs of territorial management to
inform them about mechanisms of responding to the problem."
The project is
implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt – Evangelischer Entwicklunsdienst (Germany)
In radio monologues that were broadcasted through the
radio "Dzveli kalaki" were heard different stories about people who
have a lot in common: pain, frustration, confusion, fear of an uncertain
future. After listening to the monologues one feels protest to the husband who
thought he was behaving correctly when he cut his wife’s hair at night,
punishing her because she made a decision on her own. Actions of her family
members are amazing since severe control of a daughter in law is the norm for
them.
The radio monologues warn once again that violence
leads to deplorable consequences, recall the fragile family relationships, the
need to take care of each other, and especially children...
The project is
implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt – Evangelischer Entwicklunsdienst (Germany)
Does
conflict and post-conflict period cause increase of cases of domestic violence,
what is the situation in the conflict zone, what is the quality of
psychological services - a member of the Parliament of Georgia, Mr. Giorgi Volski
shared his views on these and other questions with us.
According
to a representative of the organization "Bread for the World", the
problem of violence against women exists in developing countries too.
"But, unlike Georgia, we have a lot of specialized centers where women can
receive appropriate assistance from the State".
Representatives
of the Ukrainian non-governmental organizations stress the need for public
policies to address the problem of violence against women. "Woman should have
the opportunity to stay in a shelter with her children, to undergo
rehabilitation and get back to a normal life".
In his
interview, an Ombudsman adviser notes that in recent years the number of
applications has increased due to the raised awareness among citizens".
What
is the attitude of media to the subject of violence - journalists of press,
radio and television are supporters of a critical and socially oriented
attitude to the problem. According to them for journalists it is important to cooperate
closely with non-governmental sector for greater awareness of the problem.
The project is implemented with the support of the
organization EED Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst.
A programme, prepared by journalists of Fund, was broadcasted on air of "Dzveli kalaki”. It told audience about the most important events in the frame of the 16-day campaign, about partners and feedback from society.
Respondents of the programme - ordinary housewives, youth, representatives of local government, social institutions, or heads of Ministries, football fans, young activists, and experts emphasized in their interviews the importance of the campaign, maximum involvement and consolidation of society in the struggle against violence.
There were revealed many issues, specific proposals from the local government, social agencies, and educators who have shown more serious attitudes of societies to these issues. "We consider it necessary to diversify social services for women victims of violence." "On behalf of the local government, we express our readiness to develop programs with non-governmental organizations and build them into the next budget to prevent violence and protect victims.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization EED Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst.
"If at the time there was psychologist beside me, I would easier cope with my problems, my state of mind would have been much better".
- This confession was made during psychological counseling in the Women's Support Centre. Women who gathered here recorded their views ("recently examples of estrangement between the generations became anxious"). Sometimes they don’t avoid critics ("In our opinion NGOs provide citizens with information about violence with a certain dose, but the state should regulate operation of different mechanisms, pay more attention to improving the work of social agencies").
Specialists employed in the Center - a lawyer, a psychologist – speak in their interviews about different needs, evaluate the obtained results.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization EED Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst.
"The law will lose its value if it is not brought to those people whom it should protect. That is the role of non-governmental organizations such as Fund "Sukhumi".
- Coordinator of the Gender Council under the Chairperson of the Parliament, Mr. Zurab Mchedlishvili speaks about the issues related to the implementation of the law and the adopted amendments: "Positive changes that are implemented in phases are being periodically made in the law. Dissemination of information at the central level is not a problem unlike the issue of a full fledged communication between local government and society, and the Fund "Sukhumi" is working in this direction in the different regions, which is very valuable".
The lawyer of Fund "Sukhumi” speaks about peculiarities of legal service. According to her, citizens often need information on how to cooperate with district and patrol police, social services, interagency alliance, and with NGOs providing these services. The organization, in turn, promotes the circulation of information among these institutions.
The journalist pays attention to the youth forum-theatre that performs to spectators new scenes. Along with the theme of violence last scenes reflect the problem trafficking and dependence on betting. According to the young actor, activities in social networks contribute to their work that again points to the relevance of the Forum Theatre.
Although, despite the importance of those themes, audience do not equally perceives the scenes. The words of an old woman were notable, "I am embarrassed when I watch it." This means that the population is not yet ready for the discussions on these issues.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization EED Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst.
In the radiobroadcast project managers and participants summarized project activities of Fund "Sukhumi” supported by the National Endowment for Democracy.
In the interview the Project Coordinator Meri Gelashvili pays special attention to the vision of the Women’s League that was submitted to political parties. How they see their future, conditions for democracy. She welcomed the fact that the electoral programs of a number of political subjects reflected the vital issues of the female electorate, such as the issue of maternity leave, women's participation in peace processes, promoting increased women's political representation, etc.
In their interviews project executors emphasize the work of the Club of Women-Voters on advocacy. The most important is that society trusts these groups. And official letters about solution of advocacy issues and the letters explaining reasons for the delay of solution of some issues prove serious attitude of different structures towards their activity.
The interview also highlighted informational activity that reflected changes achieved as a result of the organisation’s activity, impact on women’s activity and increasing dialogue between the government and society.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization NED – National Endowment for Democracy, USA.
Different values of family members, "no" to positive
communications, stereotypes, according to which it is believed that, as a rule,
in family conflicts, woman is guilty - all this destroys the family idyll,
there appears aggression that leads to violence...
Radiomonologs, broadcasted on radio
"Dzveli kalaki" again reflect the problem of violence against women,
trying to bring to the public real stories about the women who have changed or are trying to change their lives.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization EED Evangelischer
Entwicklungsdienst.
What topics were discussed at the recent meetings of
regional Clubs of Women-Voters, which are vital issues considered more priority
in the activities of advocacy groups of the clubs, and how do they work to
resolve them - journalists of the Fund introduce radio listeners with the
innovations of the clubs.
Attendees of the clubs are acquainted with the changes
in the electoral legislation. The work of the Clubs promotes civic and
political education of its members, sharing of information and experience,
which is also reflected in the broadcast. A new member of the Batumi Club of
Women-Voters confessed that not only acquisition of new skills is valuable for
her, but also informal relations: "Participating in the Club, I realized once
again that strength is in unity. The activity of advocacy group convinced me in
this! "
The project is implemented with the support of the
organization NED – National Endowment for Democracy, USA.
Women’s non-governmental organizations including Fund "Sukhumi” have the function of a moderator, that contributes to perception of gender problematic in the country”, - thinks Mr. Zurab Mchedlishvili, Assistant to the Deputy Chairperson of the Parliament of Georgia. The evidence is the problems solved by advocacy groups of women's clubs that concerned both individuals and different groups: the restoration of social assistance for poor families, rehabilitation of sewer manholes, repairing footpaths, etc. as an example of Batumi Club.
"American colleagues cannot hide their admiration by the level of awareness and education of Georgian women. We also acquired great experience. The important is that we have become bolder, and increased our self-esteem" - an activist of Zugdidi Club of Women-Voters Khatuna Bechvaia tells us about the experience gained in the U.S. program, funded by the Congress of America.
A quest of the rubric "Active Woman", an "oldest" member of Ozurgeti Club - Ketevan Kadeishvili believes that cooperation with Fund "Sukhumi" has changed a lot in her life. She shared her dream: "I want to create a non-governmental organization that will work on protection of women’s and children’s rights. It would also be happy to share my experience gained as a result of cooperation with the Fund "Sukhumi" with young people.
