August 3, 2026

SGS 2025 Grantee: Women Fund for Development, Abkhazia

Project: Voices of Strength: supporting women and girls in Abkhazia

When 41-year-old Jana attended a community workshop on domestic violence in her village in eastern Abkhazia, she expected to spend a few hours listening to presentations and then return home. Instead, the experience became a turning point in her life.

“For the first time, I felt encouraged to ask for professional help, and I have already scheduled psychological consultations at the Crisis Center,” she said after the workshop. “The most difficult thing for women in our community is breaking the silence and overcoming fear. Many women continue to suffer without telling anyone what they are going through. Thank you for helping me start taking care of myself.”

For the team at Women Fund for Development, stories like Jana’s represent the true success of the project Voices of Strength: Supporting Women and Girls in Abkhazia, implemented with support from The BEARR Trust’s Small Grants Scheme.

Across many rural communities in Abkhazia, violence against women often remains hidden behind closed doors. Survivors face isolation, stigma, and a lack of information about where to seek help. In many villages, opportunities to openly discuss domestic violence are extremely limited, leaving women to cope with abuse alone.

To address this challenge, Women Fund for Development launched a series of awareness-raising activities designed to bring information, support, and practical resources directly to women and girls living in remote communities.

Between December 2025 and March 2026, the organisation conducted workshops in 11 villages across the Gal district. Participants learned about different forms of violence, including physical, psychological, and economic abuse, as well as their legal rights and the support services available to them.

What emerged from these meetings was not only greater awareness but also a willingness among women to speak openly about experiences that had often remained unspoken of for years.

“Before the training, I thought violence only meant physical harm,” one participant explained. “Now I understand that psychological pressure, threats, and constant control are also forms of abuse. I finally have words for what many women experience.”

Another woman described the relief she felt after meeting others facing similar challenges.

“I realised that I was not alone. Listening to other women helped me understand that seeking support is not something to be ashamed of.”

Creating that atmosphere of trust was one of the project’s greatest achievements. Because domestic violence remains a sensitive topic, the workshops were designed as safe spaces where women could ask questions, share concerns, and receive information without fear of judgement.

However, the project’s goal extended beyond awareness. Women Fund for Development wanted to ensure that support would remain available long after the workshops ended.

Twelve women leaders from the target communities were therefore selected to participate in a three-day training programme in Gal. The training equipped them with practical skills to identify cases of violence, provide basic support, and refer survivors to professional services when needed.

Today, these women serve as trusted contact persons within their communities, helping other women access information and assistance.

The impact of this approach became evident during the project itself. After attending one of the village sessions, a participant contacted the Crisis Center to seek urgent help for her 25-year-old neighbour, who was experiencing domestic violence and did not know where to turn. The young woman was subsequently connected with professional support and counselling services.

“This project showed us that one informed woman can change another woman’s life,” said one of the trained community leaders. “Now we know how to help safely and where to refer women when professional support is needed.”

The project was not without challenges. Reaching isolated villages required significant logistical coordination, while deeply rooted stigma surrounding domestic violence often made women reluctant to discuss their experiences. Yet these challenges reinforced the importance of community-based approaches and trusted local leaders.

Perhaps the most encouraging outcome was the growing number of women willing to seek help. More participants than expected contacted the Women Fund for Development and partner organisations for information, counselling, and referrals.

As one participant reflected at the end of a workshop: “I came here to listen, but I am leaving with confidence. Now I know that help is possible, and I know where to find it.”

For women across Abkhazia, that confidence may be the first step towards a safer future.

Contact:

Women Fund for Development, Gal, Abkhazia

womenfund2001@gmail.com

Instagram: womenfund_abh