The United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women has launched a course for women affected by conflict in Georgia. This course will equip them with the tools and skills necessary to start businesses and engage their communities.
Many people in Georgia live along the Administrative Boundary Lines with Abkhazia and South Ossetia. These areas are home to many internally displaced women and women affected by conflict. Tamar Lobjanidze, Portfolio Manager and Programme specialist for Women, Peace, and Security in UN Women Country Office Georgia, told GEORGIA Today that, after assessing and studying the people living in these areas, UN Women discovered that women who are internally displaced and affected by conflict are marginalized in policymaking processes and have limited access to opportunities, such as those in the economic and engagement field.
To combat this, a course on entrepreneurship called ‘Practical Entrepreneurship – How to start a Business’ has been launched to help this group of women with their economic and empowerment potential. Lobjanidze explains that the course has two phases. The first phase consists of classes on accounting, business processes, how to plan them and tax codes. It also includes preparation for writing grant proposals. After the classes, the second phase begins: a presentation on the business ideas that the women have developed. The UN Women will then assess the ideas and provide small grants to help them start their small businesses.
This project is designed to help women who are internally displaced or affected by conflict living along the ABLs between Tskhinvali Region/South Ossetia in Georgia and Abkhazia in Georgia. They face many barriers that limit their access to programs and grants. The project focuses on women who have specific needs, especially in relation to economic security. It offers targeted measures for them,” Lobjanidze explains. “If they don‘t, then they will be excluded.”
Ana Leponava, a participant of the business course at the Zugdidi Municipality located in Western Georgia, is Ana Leponava. She said that the business idea in handicrafts is what she’s developing and preparing to pitch. She plans to sell embroidered accessories and items through her small business. Leponava said that when she heard about the course she didn’t really have a business plan, but wanted to take part to learn more about accounting, taxes, and general business planning. During the training and support she received, however, an idea was born.
She tells us that “this course has boosted me confidence and motivated to try starting my small business.” “Completing this program will positively impact both my financial situation and that of the women who are participating in this project.”
This project is part of Georgia’s 2022-2024 National Action Plan for Implementation UN Security Council Resolutions on Women, Peace, and Security. The initiative was launched to protect the rights of women, girls and internally displaced women living in the vicinity ABL villages. Lobjanidze stated that this is the 4th NAP currently being implemented.
Previously, the NAP also included a business course. Lobjanidze explains that the classes were held online because of COVID-19. As a result, most women found them less useful or effective. She also said that the course was missing parts which are now included. For example, a grants system.
Lobjanidze says that this time, they had more information about the barriers women face to participation, and were able to make the course inclusive and flexible. She says that many women who are involved have other responsibilities outside of their jobs and don’t have time to participate in learning activities that will empower them. It was decided that the classes would be held on weekends, when the majority of participants are available. They would also not be held in Tbilisi because it is difficult to reach. Instead, they were held in Gori and Zugdidi. This allowed them to access skills development and learn, while addressing their participation barriers, such as lack of time, transportation, finances, etc.
The application for the course also was straightforward – a CV and motivation letter. Lobjanidze argues that women face a significant barrier when completing comprehensive applications, especially if there are no IT skills. To overcome this, they simplified the application process to eliminate any unexpected barriers.
The Women, Peace, and Security agenda (WPS) is built on four pillars – participation, prevention, security, and relief and reconstruction. Lobjanidze says that women who are internally displaced or affected by conflict are extremely vulnerable and have suffered trauma from living in post-conflict environments. The remoteness of their living areas and the lack of connectivity to central towns and city makes it difficult for them to participate in social, political, and economic life.
UN Women’s WPS program has adopted a “local approach” to resolve this problem. It has turned the NAP inward, so that conflict affected women in ABLs could work with government representatives, both central and local, to exchange ideas and thoughts on certain human-security issues in their area, such as transportation, infrastructure, access to markets, and more. This allowed them to participate in peace and security decisions and create a peaceful atmosphere where they live. This initiative is part of UN Women’s Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism Information-sharing Meetings.
“We created a network of grassroots women in order to connect those who live in ABLs and IDP settlements. This allows them to speak out collectively, and to make their voices heard. In addition to creating economic opportunities, they need to be able to influence policies that are tailored to their needs, which are different from those of other women in Tbilisi or other regions. Their human security requirements are closely related to their economic situation”, Lobjanidze explains.
Lobjanidze says that with previous NAPs this aspect was always lacking – giving women agency in government decisions – but now it has been implemented so they can have some influence on their lives. The first phase of business training concluded on October 19-20 with a ceremony. The second phase, which will include business assessments and the physical implementation of businesses, will begin soon.
The project is funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark. It is coordinated by UN Women and various government agencies including the Office of the State minister for Reconciliation and Civic Equality of Georgia.
By Shelbi R. Ankiewicz
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