Collaboration: sHEROes

The Russian-Georgian war is often mentioned as the first European war of the XXI st century in August 2008,mainly in the “breakaway regions” of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, Kvemo Kartli and Samegrelo regions.  

5 days, more than 400 deceased, up to 2000 wounded, up to 300 000 internally displaced people from Abkhazia and Samachablo region are waiting for the return to their own houses, 23 lost villages – this is the official statistics . 

TODAY,20% of the Georgia’s territories are occupied by Russia. 

Even thought 10 years passed since the Russian-Georgian war still continues in shadows. People are often kidnapped from the villages which are close to so called “administrative border”. Russian troops still stand on Georgian territories and bring terror to locals every day. The “administrative border” changes quite often and this process, called “creeping occupation”, does not seem to be stopped soon. 

Women rarely start war. They rarely assume the role of soldiers and warriors. Therefore, their names are almost never mentioned in the historical chronicles. Women and children are mostly affected during the armed conflict – many women become the victim of violence and oppression. History often forgets that the fate of many wars have been decided and the lives of the people have been altered due to women’s resilience and immense power. 

Women who lost the most precious ones – children, spouses, parents, sisters and brothers, lost their houses, but despite all, managed to start life from the beginning  

TEXT : Salome Benidze 

Painting : Keto / Ninia