“I made a huge mistake, when he hit me for the first time, and I said nothing. Back then, I was thinking about my relatives and neighbors, not myself or my children."

The reflection comes from 33-year-old Tamar (name changed for confidentiality), who was a victim of domestic violence by her husband. For nearly eight years, she endured the abuse of her husband, a situation that many women in Georgia face daily.

Married at 22, Tamari's life quickly spiraled into fear and turmoil as her husband's alcoholism led to aggression. “He would threaten me with a knife, and I locked myself in a room with my child, terrified for our safety. At first, I couldn’t speak up—I didn’t want to expose our family situation to others. However, psychological abuse and threats never stopped, and I filed a complaint with the police, and the case is still being examined in court."

Tamar is one of the women benefiting from ASB Georgia’s ongoing project, RISE Georgia – Reducing Inequality and Supporting Empowerment for Women in Crises, which is being implemented in three different regions of Georgia: Guria, Samegrelo, and Adjara. As part of the project, community-based self-help groups are being established, driven by active local women. These groups will operate across rural and urban areas, providing crucial support to survivors of domestic violence through promoting and advocating GBV/DV issues. As the project is a new initiative, training sessions for self-help groups are underway, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to assist victims through legal consultations, essential service referrals, and access to resources. Additionally, a 24/7 hotline in the project target region has been launched, ensuring immediate assistance and guidance for those in crisis.

The RISE Georgia project is funded by the Federal Ministry of Social Affairs, Health, Care, and Consumer Protection of the Republic of Austria. It is being implemented by ASB Georgia, in close cooperation with the Samaritan Association of Georgia (SSK), local municipalities, and national and international organizations working on gender-based violence issues.

By creating a supportive community and providing essential resources, RISE Georgia aims to empower women to reclaim their lives and futures. This initiative will lay the groundwork for sustainable change, enabling women to access the tools and opportunities they need to succeed in their personal and professional lives.

P.S. Since the topic is highly sensitive, the beneficiary does not wish to be identified. We changed the name for confidentiality.