| |
Other Sections HOME |
Georgia Association of University Women
Despite the fact that Georgia
has ratified and recognized women's
rights conventions, there is no provision for disabled
and marginalized women.
This project, based in the Oni region (north west of the capital,
Tbilisi) aims to integrate these women into society through the
revival of the national craft of felt production. The project
began in 2007 and the Georgian Association of University Women are
working with the local council of Oni, the Georgian Ministry of
Culture and Science and the "Georgian Felt" company.
The project teaches creative skills to women with physical disabilities,
refugee women and unemployed women, so that they can produce handicrafts,
earn an income from this work and keep this traditional Georgian
handicraft "alive". Each training group comprises
30 women who receive three months training in photo art and traditional
felt production from professional artists. The Georgia Association's
partner in this project, the Disabled Women International
Organisation (GDWIA) provides training rooms and exhibition space.
Two exhibitions of mixed feltworks were held in 2007 with the support
of local authorities. Trainees produced a photographic catalogue
of their work. The
Russia-Georgia conflict in August 2008 temporarily halted the project
as Oni was one of the areas under attack. The project will continue
in 2009.
|
![]() |
International Federation of University Women 10 rue du Lac CH-1207 Geneva, Switzerland Tel: (41.22) 731 23 80 Fax: (41.22) 738 04 40 E-mail: info@ifuw.org |
|