In the words of Nana Tkabladze: “In the fight against violence, the most important thing is to take the survivor’s problem to heart”
UN Women is helping women and girls across Georgia’s regions access information about State-run services and municipal programmes addressing violence against women and domestic violence. Nearly 800 women have participated in awareness-raising trainings, including representatives of ethnic and religious minorities, women living in high-mountainous communities, and those residing in areas adjacent to the dividing line. The trainings were conducted within the framework of the UN joint project “Civic Engagement for Local Development”, implemented by UN Women and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) with the support of the UN Georgia Thematic Pooled Fund for Civic Space. Among the training recipients was Nana Tkabladze, 29, who lives in an IDP settlement in the city of Khoni. Nana’s involvement in the initiative was of particular importance, because the risk of violence against women and domestic violence is even greater in internally displaced communities.
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“My mother and father are internally displaced from Abkhazia. They came to Khoni during the war and settled here. I was born and raised in this town. Today, I live in an IDP settlement in Khoni. I work as a cook in a local kindergarten, and my two children attend the same kindergarten. At the same time, I run a small start-up business, producing and selling different varieties of adjika.
I am one of the women who participated in the training on violence against women and domestic violence organized by the Charity Humanitarian Women’s Fund ‘Sukhumi’. After the training, I shared the information I received with other women in my community. For me, this was particularly important because many women still do not know where to turn for help or what support services are available to them. I have known the Charity Humanitarian Women’s Fund ‘Sukhumi’ since childhood. I have been participating in its projects and initiatives since my schooldays. I have always enjoyed being involved in this work, so when I learned about the training on violence against women and domestic violence, I was eager to join.
The topic itself interested me. I am a woman, and I know that many women have experienced some form of violence. However, because awareness remains low, not everyone recognizes it for what it is or can name it. Many women come to see the difficult realities they live with every day as normal.
The training introduced me to a great deal of new information. I learned about shelters and the domestic violence hotline. I did not know that there were places where women could feel safe, recover, regain their strength and rebuild their lives. I also learned that by calling 116 006, anyone can anonymously seek help for themselves or for someone else.
Unfortunately, many women are still unaware of these opportunities. Some do not even believe that real support is available to them. They continue to endure violence and raise their children in abusive environments.
After the training, I shared the information I had received with my colleagues at the kindergarten. Everyone attended the meeting and listened with great interest. I felt that because they knew me personally, they trusted what I was saying and found it more convincing.
I believe that this trust is one of the reasons why the meetings conducted by women who participated in the trainings were so effective. When information comes from someone people know and trust, it often resonates more deeply.
In the fight against violence, the most important thing is to take the survivor’s problem to heart, especially as women. When we hear about cases of violence, we should not say, ‘So what? They are husband and wife. Sometimes couples argue and then make up again.’ Such attitudes and indifference are harmful and dangerous.
I believe that supporting survivors starts with listening, believing and standing beside them. Women should not feel alone when facing violence. We need to show solidarity and remind them that help exists and that they have the right to live free from violence.
That is why, for me, the fight against violence does not end with a single meeting or training. I will use the knowledge I gained throughout my life, and I will stand by anyone who needs support. I will do everything I can to support women.”