In the Women’s Support Centre in Khoni participants of the School of young leaders held a round table meeting on the topic "Non-violent culture in society”.
Participants of the meeting were representatives of local self-government, non-governmental organizations, students, pupils, teachers and psychologists.
According to the attendees it is necessary to introduce non-violent culture in society and all structures should work on this issue.
A round table discussion on the topic "Protection
of victims of domestic violence and violence prevention (social cooperation and
reviewing") was held in the Women's Support Centre in Senaki. The meeting
was attended by representatives of local government, social services, legal
structures, teachers and women IDPs.
Participants
of the Round table discussion were informed about the 16-day international
campaign. They were given posters, leaflets and calendars. All of them
expressed their willingness to participate in the campaign, and said that as a
sign of solidarity they would wear white ribbons.
During
the round table discussion were identified problems related to the protection
of victims of violence. There were developed recommendations and suggestions,
which will contribute to the effective use of legal mechanisms and consolidation
of society with the purpose of violence prevention.
Participants of the Young Leaders School actively involved in the
campaign. At the initiative of Kutaisi group of the School a round table
discussion on the theme "The issue of IDP youth’s access to education"
was held in fund "Sukhumi".
In the beginning of the meeting attendees were provided with the information
about the 16-day campaign and appropriate attributes.
The meeting participants mentioned that they declared solidarity to the whole
world and express their protest to violence against women.
What
stereotypes hinder establishment of the policy of gender equality in Georgia,
what barriers exist for approval of balance - these issues were discussed at
the round table meeting in Kutaisi.
The meeting was organized by Fund
"Sukhumi" in partnership with the "Union of the wives of invalids
and lost warriors" (Tbilisi). Participants of the meeting were
journalists, public leaders, non-governmental organizations, political parties
and government agencies.
Active discussion was held around the
aforementioned topics. According to the most of participants, including men, in
politics and governing public bodies should be as many women as possible, both
at low and high level.
After the discussion, participants elaborated
recommendations, which clearly show - what stereotypes exist in regions (Imereti),
and what should be done to address this problem.
Long-term
cooperation between the City Council (Sakrebulo) of Kutaisi and Fund
"Sukhumi" has been strengthened on June 28 by signing of a Memorandum
of Cooperation by a chairperson of Fund "Sukhumi" Alla Gamakharia and
a chairperson of the City Council Amiran Khvadagiani.
The
Memorandum defines the main directions of joint activity: organizing of a
common information space, contribution to increasing the role of women and the
degree of women’s involvement in decision-making, cooperation in advocacy
issues and lobbying of civil interests, in conducting public campaigns, etc.
The project is implemented
with the support of the organization EED Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst.
The presentation of the publication "Women in Search of Peace” was held on May 2 in Kutaisi, in the Center of Democratic Involvement.
The presentation was attended by representatives from partner and donor organizations of Fund "Sukhumi", and journalists. Especially for this day in Kutaisi arrived Sara Laginder (coordinator of Kvinna till Kvinna in Georgia) and Zurab Mchedlishvili (Assistant to the Deputy Chairperson of the Parliament of Georgia, coordinator of the Gender Equality Advisory Council under the Chair of the Parliament of Georgia).
Attendees were provided with information about the Georgian-Abkhaz project and the research process. They got acquainted with the publication and emphasized that "Women in search of peace" is an expression of a peacekeeping position of the women living in Georgia, a major statement in peacemaking and a wonderful gem, which Fund "Sukhumi" pampers people interested in People to People Diplomacy, should be used by them as a guide.
The presentation was merged well with the most beautiful holiday "Kutaisoba” (day Kutaisi).
The project is implemented with the support of Kvinna till Kvinna, women’s Swedish Foundation.
The theme
of the Round table, carried out within the framework of the 16 Days Campaign
Against Gender Violence, was "Integration of people with disabilities”.
In the
meeting participated representatives of different structures, students, and pupils.
During the
meeting were identified problems and elaborated recommendations: work to
increase society’s consciousness, use correct terminology, provide information
for representatives of different generations, conduct training.
At the Round table meeting organized by the first graduates of the Leaders’ School discussed the theme "Formation of non-violent culture among the youth”. The meeting was attended by students, teachers and psychologists of schools and kindergartens. Discussion on cultural upbringing, social background, unhealthy life style, low activeness of NGOs and conflicts showed that the theme was really topical. In participants’ opinion such meetings fill in the information vacuum and form non-violent culture.
Contribution to gender education, existence of the Institute of qualified psychologists for parents, increase of public awareness, creation of a legislative base, spread of information, - these recommendations were adopted during the Round table discussion.
The output of cooperation with Fund "Sukhumi” was named an initiative of local self government of Tskhaltubo to allocate a specialist from the group working on social issues who would be trained in counseling of victims of violence, cooperate with the subjects of State referral mechanisms and NGOs interested in solution of the issue.
Another Round table meeting on "State referral mechanisms of protection from violence – principles and opportunities” was organized in Tskhaltubo on October 24.
The meeting participants were IDP community, teachers, senior pupils, journalists, representatives of local self government and social agency.
The meeting participants expressed an opinion that addressing the problem of violence is impossible without creation and introduction of relevant state mechanisms. It is necessary to raise awareness of society that people could use the State mechanisms in practice.
There were emphasized the opportunities of social protection, the tendency of popularization of the Institute of social workers institution and also initiated perspectives of new cooperation.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization EED Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst.
A Round table meeting on the theme "Principles and opportunities of state referral mechanisms for protection against violence" was held in the Women’s Support Centre in Senaki. The meeting was attended by representatives of social agencies of local self-government and law-enforcement bodies, teachers, lawyers, youth and women IDPs.
Once again the relevance of the topic became evident at the meeting. Participants of the Round table mentioned that the problem of violence can not be solved without creation and implementation of effective mechanisms by the State to address this problem and provision of appropriate information. The need for cooperation of society and actors involved in problem solution, exchange of information, and the maximum utilization of state resources by non-governmental sector; qualified trainings for the police; inclusion of the information on referral mechanisms in the program of civic education; promotion of the Institute of Social workers - this is an incomplete list of suggestions that were raised at the Round table meeting.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization EED Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst.
Another Round table meeting was held by Fund "Sukhumi”
within the framework of the project "Contribution to IDP women’s integration in
local society through their involvement monitoring of local self-government
activities”.
This time participants of the meeting gathered in
Khoni municipality.
Members of the monitoring group of Fund "Sukhumi”
presented to the representatives of Sakrebulo, the municipality, local and IDP
society, journalists their report on monitoring of the programmes of the local
self government budget taking into account gender aspects.
The monitoring showed that the society in Khoni can
not distinguish itself by social activity. As to the members of the local self
government, despite their willingness, they are still lack of the practice in constructive
dialogue with citizens and the participants emphasized its necessity.
There was expressed an opinion that the common
starting conditions would be more fair for all the citizens of Georgia. For
example, if Tbilisi citizens don’t have any social benefits compared with Khoni
citizens, only because of the fact that Tbilisi budget is bigger than the Khoni
one.
The participants said that there should be a political
will. Though, they listed the issues which need to be solved even in case of
scanty budget. For example, the problem of water supply which was not solved
despite the permanent advocacy.
As to the cooperation with local self government,
initiated by Fund "Sukhumi”, it was positively assessed.
Representatives of the League of Women-Voters of the seven cities in
Western Georgia (Kutaisi, Tskhaltubo, Khoni, Batumi, Zugdidi, Ozurgeti) gathered
around the round table in the conference room of fund "Sukhumi".
Participants have positively evaluated annual activity of the Club of
Women-Voters. As a result of the workshops on advocacy and lobby, leader and
his/her team, expected outcomes in the Election code the level of activity and
awareness of society has increased. There were formed advocacy groups
consisting of five people who could manage to solve the problems with water
supply and electricity, as well as other everyday issues. There was released a
calendar that reflects the work of the League of Women-Voters. There have been organized
many cultural and exchange activities.
The participants were especially interested in the topics – pre-election
training of political parties, acquaintance with the Law on domestic violence
(Action plan) and its analysis.
By the end of the day there was done a group work – parliamentary
elections – challenges and ways of solution. In the meeting participated a
coordinator of Swedish women’s organization Kvinna till Kvinna in Georgia Marie
Wirde.
- I am happy to be with you. Our organization has been working with Fund
"Sukhumi” for several years. Our purpose is to have as many women-leaders as
possible to achieve peace all over the world! We are planning to conduct
workshops and trainings for women in different regions of Western Georgia, -
said Marie Wirde.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization NED – National
Endowment for Democracy, USA.
The project "Contribution to IDP women’s integration
in local society through their involvement monitoring of local self-government
activities” (financed by the U.S. Embassy) is being completed.
Based on the budgets for 2011 of the self-managed city
Kutaisi and municipalities of Tskhaltubo and Khoni there was made an analysis
in the sphere of social protection, health-care and education taking into
account gender aspects. There was prepared a report, made conclusions and
elaborated recommendations. Reports were submitted to the local
self-governments of the three cities.
On August 22 there is planned to held a Round table in
the meeting hall of the local self-government of Kutaisi with participation of
the wide spectrum of society to discuss the final report.
In August Round tables will be conducted in
municipalities of Tskhaltubo and Khoni.
On April 14 at the office fund "Sukhumi" was held a Round-table meeting on "Institutional cooperation and the role of local government in solution of the problem of domestic violence". The meeting was attended by representatives of local government, teachers, psychologists, journalists, representatives of the Ombudsman's office, lawyers, an expert’s group of fund "Sukhumi", and beneficiaries.
Local government is usually out of the general context of social cooperation of public institutions in the fight against domestic violence. There is no awareness of the importance the role of local government in solution of the problems. The social programs of local governments do not reflect measures for the prevention of domestic violence, contribution to efficient operation of the law against violence.
"The law does not impose strict liabilities on local government, but the State - a stable institution - must always take care of this problem. If a small budget can justify the fact that it is impossible to provide assistance to victims of violence or to take effective measures for the prevention of violence, then what prevents the local government to have information, to know what the situation is around us, and to cooperate with NGOs working on these issues? - was mentioned at the Roundtable meeting.
"Economic instability is directly proportional to the degree of violence". "The government should try to create an institution of social workers staffed with qualified personnel".
The Roundtable meeting was productive. In addition to information sharing, there were provided many interesting advice and suggestions which are very helpful in terms of institutional cooperation.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization EED Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst.
What is gender, gender equality, how change of socio-political situation affected the family climate. These issues were discussed at the round table meeting organized on December 20 in the village of Khurcha (Zugdidi district). The theme of the Round table was "Gender roles and socio-cultural environment". The meeting was attended by teachers, school students, representatives of the health spectrum and women from Nabakevi, Khurcha and Koki.
At the beginning of the meeting facilitator and experts provided attendees with information followed by an interesting discussion.
There was expressed a view that "Gender stereotype -"woman is a weak creature" has been destroyed long ago in this region".
The meeting was very interesting and fruitful. According to the participants they always look forward to meeting with Fund "Sukhumi”.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization EED Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst.
- What is the impact of migration on young people? How do they live or what do teenagers feel whose mothers went abroad to earn money? These questions were discusses for 2 hours at the Round table meeting organized by the students of the School of Young Women-Leaders.
The meeting was attended by NGO representatives, students, schoolchildren and teachers. They noted that the number of people migrating is growing every year and this is due to the social environment in the country. According to the majority of the attendees, children especially need mothers who can not be replaced by anybody, so migration has a negative impact on their lives.
Some participants said that the State must take certain responsibility to work on the reasons of migration.
How young people allocate their free time, what activities are conducted in the city, whether funds for youth programs are considered in the local budget – such issues were discussed at the Round table meeting organized by the students of the School of Young Women-Leaders in the Women's SupportCenter in Khoni. The meeting was attended by the representatives from KhonimunicipalityCity Hall and City Council, teachers, parents and pupils.
At the meeting there was mentioned that there is observed nihilism and lack of initiative among young people. Participants stressed that the major problem is non-attendance in schools. Representatives of the local self government acquainted participants with the information about youth programs: intellectual competitions, Olympiads. Therefore, it is necessary that young people have more initiatives and ideas that they could skillfully and effectively allocate their free time.
