Theme

Violence against women and domestic violence, strengthening institutional mechanisms for gender equality.

Description

Gender equality issues are not only a problem for Zugdidi Municipality but a global challenge. However, progress in recent years has been evident. Women’s rights are now at the forefront, and women are aware of their rights, speak up loudly, and share their experiences with other women. In 2015, when the Zugdidi Municipality’s local budget’s social protection program first included a code for supporting victims of violence (the first such municipal budget allocation nationwide), people were still hesitant to seek help due to social stigma. Only 8 beneficiaries approached the City Hall in total during 2015, 2016, and 2017. However, in 2018-19-20, 109 victims of violence came forward. These numbers don’t indicate an increase in violence incidents but rather reflect the success of information campaigns and rights awareness efforts. Consequently, the number of reported cases has increased. Currently, Zugdidi Municipality is actively involved in gender equality work through its Social Protection and Gender Equality Department, a Mayor-appointed gender representative, and an interagency commission comprising various governmental and non-governmental organizations, which was first implemented in Zugdidi.

Implementing Organization

Zugdidi Municipality City Hall

Challenge

Gender equality issues are not only a problem for Zugdidi Municipality but a global challenge.

Low reporting rates from violence victims due to social stigma. Only 8 beneficiaries approached the City Hall in total during 2015, 2016, and 2017.

The COVID-19 pandemic, which hindered planned meetings and reduced citizen participation.

Solution

Regarding legislative changes, Zugdidi Municipality established a Gender Equality Council, developed the “Zugdidi Municipal Gender Equality Action Plan 2019-2020”; during the same period, the “Road Map” for localizing UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on “Women, Peace and Security” National Action Plan was approved in Zugdidi Municipality. In late 2019 (September), the Social Protection Department of Zugdidi Municipality City Hall’s Social and Healthcare Service added the function of promoting gender equality issues. Accordingly, changes were made to the service regulations, and functions were redistributed among department staff. Additionally, the Mayor of Zugdidi Municipality appointed a person responsible for gender equality issues. The “Zugdidi Municipality City Hall Gender Equality Action Plan 2020” was developed, followed by the “Report on Gender Equality Work Implemented by the Social Protection and Gender Equality Department in 2020,” as well as “Activities Implemented in 2019-2020 within the Framework of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 ‘Women, Peace and Security’ National Action Plan – Zugdidi Municipality Localization Road Map.”
Zugdidi Municipality City Hall is the first to establish an interagency commission for preventing violence against women and/or domestic violence and protecting and assisting victims.

The social protection program also provides one-time assistance to families with multiple children, vulnerable families with newborns, single parents, families with twins, orphaned children, and victims of violence against women and/or domestic violence, specifically: one-time financial assistance up to 800 GEL for supporting victims of violence against women and/or domestic violence with status.

Program to support homeless and affected individuals • Monthly financial assistance of 100 GEL for temporary housing rental – for vulnerable pensioners without their own housing, persons with disabilities, single parents (with status), elderly, persons who have lost breadwinners (with minor children), families with multiple children, and victims of domestic violence who face particularly difficult conditions (based on the decision of the commission studying social conditions).

Crisis Center; With City Hall support, a crisis center for violence victims was established and transferred to an NGO for management. Since 2021, the crisis center operates with municipal funding as a City Hall social program Day Center for the Elderly;
➢ Home care service for the elderly;
➢ Co-financing program for projects submitted by various organizations and individuals to support socially vulnerable families and vulnerable groups;
➢ Early detection of thyroid cancer in high-risk women aged 25-70.

Contact Information

Gogi Revia – Head of Social Protection and Gender Equality Department of Zugdidi Municipality City Hall’s Social and Healthcare Service; Person responsible for gender equality issues in Zugdidi Municipality. gogirevia@gmail.com

Tamar Chikava – Chief Specialist of Social Protection and Gender Equality Department of Zugdidi Municipality City Hall’s Social and Healthcare Service. tamarachikava@gmail.com