Simulating the journey taken by victims of violence

“I did not expect such a development. It was miserable to be in the role of a victim,” Anna Aslanishvili, a civic education teacher at the Davitiani School, recalls of her participation in the simulation exercise In Her Shoes.

Anna is one of the 1,463 participants who has taken part in the famous role-play since June 2021, having played the roles of abused women who have different levels of education, professions, marital statuses and needs. In Her Shoes is a simulation exercise that offers eight scenarios, with the beginning of each scenario scripted but the end entirely depending on the participants and their choices. Step by step, they follow the path of their characters trying to escape from violence, to overcome many obstacles and to get relevant services or support. As they experience all of the details, the players become more empathetic and can clearly see that everyone’s contribution matters in overcoming violence.

The game ends with a discussion in which the participants talk over the scenarios with the trainer, discussing the best solutions and ways to support the victim. They ultimately receive information about the various forms of violence, the harmful stereotypes and social norms that encourage violence and discrimination, and the state services available for victims. Through this process, they also get to understand the role of family and society in combating violence.

“My character survived, but in other scenarios the outcomes were fatal, and that badly distressed me,” Ana says. “Participating in the simulation game made me realize how much it helps people to better understand the situation of the victim and take their troubles personally. In Her Shoes is the best way to raise awareness.”

From 2021 to 2023, UN Women Georgia in partnership with the Women’s Information Center actively used the innovative simulation game In Her Shoes with different groups to raise awareness on violence against women. The initiative was financially supported by the European Union. The diverse audiences included civil servants, school and preschool principals, managers, teachers, security officers, staff of the National Probation Agency, the police and local media, psychologists, businesswomen, young people and upper secondary school students who agreed to play. In total, the game was played 82 times in nine municipalities across the regions of Kvemo Kartli and Guria. The initiative ended in June 2023.

In Her Shoes was conducted as part of the EU-funded project “Ending Violence against Women and Girls in Georgia” (EVAWGG), implemented jointly by UN Women and UNFPA.