-Strategy "Inclusion through cooperation” is a step forward made by the State that will contribute to the start of cooperation with Abkhaz side, - was mentioned at the focus-group meeting held in Zugdidi. The group consisted of a psychologist, teachers, professors, representatives of non-governmental sector.
Participants emphasized that women should be mobilized in all spheres, in all directions since women’s inclusion in peacemaking movement will give positive results.
The project is implemented with the support of Kvinna till Kvinna, women’s Swedish Foundation.
We should welcome the fact that after so many years there has appeared a State document. On basis of this document it is possible to start relationship with Abkhaz side – mentioned participants of the research in Tskhaltubo, in which participated active women IDPs.
The group, basically, focused on eight questions. The purpose of most questions was to fix women’s vision, specific proposals regarding State peacemaking strategy and peacemaking processes.
Answers to the questions clearly indicated the need for coordinated work of governmental and non-governmental sectors, strengthening of peace propaganda, so that public does not weaken the peacemaking spirit.
The project is implemented with the support of Kvinna till Kvinna, women’s Swedish Foundation.
A qualitative research was made in Women’s Support Centre. It included eight questions. The meeting was attended by women-representatives of different structures.
Participants of the focus-group mentioned that the Strategy "Involvement through cooperation” is a step forward, though the Strategy does not include woman’s vision. In their opinion it would be good if women’s resource as a peacemaker is used in all spheres in the Action plan.
The project is implemented with the support of Kvinna till Kvinna, women’s Swedish Foundation.
Within the framework of the research another focus-group was gathered in Batumi. Participants: representatives of Media, creative intelligentsia, women IDPs fixed their positions on which resources were used for the peaceful resolution of conflict, what may be the basis of strengthened cooperation, whether they think that with the new Strategy "Inclusion through cooperation” there will start a new stage of Georgian-Abkhaz relations.
According to the common opinion the only non-perspective way of conflict resolution is war. As to resources, the most effective resource is right State politics and then maximum utilization of People’s Diplomacy.
The project is implemented with the support of Kvinna till Kvinna, women’s Swedish Foundation.
Poti. Women’s Support Centre. Nine women who acquainted with the Strategy on occupied territories "Inclusion through cooperation” and facilitator – with eight questions, prepared for the focus-group.
They have never been participants of such sociological survey but understood from the very beginning how important is opinion of every participant. Therefore they were especially sincere and active.
Employees of the sphere of healthcare and education, journalist, historian, economist, lawyer – directions of activities of those women are various, and so questions were discussed in different perspective: women’s role in conflict resolution, conciliation resources, priorities of cooperation, needs of women and spheres of their active participation in the Strategy implementation.
Participants of the focus-group think that taking into consideration their opinions will make the Strategy more real.
The project is implemented with the support of Kvinna till Kvinna, women’s Swedish Foundation.
A meeting in the format of "focus group” was held on the 15th of March with the representatives of the local self-government of Khobi. There were defined positions of participants regarding gender politics in the country.
Despite the fact that most of participants welcome increase of women in legislative organs, many of them (including majority of men and some women) consider "mechanical” measures for women’s support expedient. According to their positions, if woman has skills, needed for achieving success in politics – unlimited time, high professionalism, purposefulness, courageous character she would be successful, of course, and she would not need "temporary measures”. As to the issue that there should necessarily be presented woman in politics and she has her place there – local self-government of Khobi gives possibility to show this.
The project is implemented with the support of International Alert, Great Britain
Meeting held with the Chairperson of the city organization of Christian-democratic Movement George Shavgulidze, within the framework of the research of Fund "Sukhumi” showed quite interesting picture about the situation in parties and society regarding political status of women.
"I was a witness of the situation in the Parliament reception where people try to make an appointment with parliamentarians, make phone calls on vital issues. Imagine that people call oftener to women-parliamentarians, placing their hope on them”.
"Human’s psyche gets tired most of all with monotony. Monotony in politics from the point of view of gender is also boring”.
"Increase of women’s representation in politics is much dependent on men. First of all men should perceive that it’s necessary and important for the country”.
Christian-democrats prove this: candidature of Inga Grigolia is submitted by them on post of the chairperson of local self-government of Tbilisi.
The project is implemented with the support of International Alert, Great Britain
Why there are less women-politicians than men-politicians; why voters support more men-candidates; what the situation on gender equality is in political parties; how policy can be changed if there are involved more women; which mechanisms should be used to contribute to increase of women’s representation…
Within the framework of the research included in the project on gender equality, meetings with representatives of political parties, non-governmental sector, governmental structure have been continued.
On the 9th of March deep interview was taken from the representative of Republican party of Kutaisi organization, Nato Katamadze.
She welcomes increase of women’s representation in politics. In her opinion – "women as candidates rare lie. They are more responsible before voters and are more sincere”.
"Unfortunately society is always more critical to women”.
"Of course I don’t support artificial measures, but I think it’s necessary to change gender disbalance. And the way out of this situation is purposeful gender education in the sphere of socio-cultural relations”.
The project is implemented with the support of International Alert, Great Britain.
Within the framework of the project on gender equality problem research, implemented by Fund "Sukhumi”, deep interview was held with the Chairperson of the Commission on legal and procedural issues of the local self government of Batumi city. The objective of the interview was to define position of a respondent in regard with the issue of women political activeness.
All fourteen questions fixed opinions of the interviewer about: why there are less women-politicians than men politicians, why voters support more women-candidates; whether political parties are interested in the issue of gender equality; how policy may be changed in case of involvement of more women in political life of the country; which mechanisms are necessary for assisting growth of women’s representation etc.
In respondent’s opinion enhancing of women’s representation in political life of the country is a positive fact which should be supported through partnering of different structures.
Attention was paid to the role of non-governmental sector: "NGOs can render serious assistance to parties with own resources. The main is to formulate and sound the problem correctly.
