The State Minister for Reconciliation and Civic Equality Ketevan Tsikhelashvili met in Ergneti’s “War Museum” with locals and the representatives of women's organizations. Within the framework of the meeting the documentary video prepared by the State Minister's Office "Women vis a vis barbed wires" was presented.

The video shows the lives of seven women living in the villages along the dividing lines after the August 2008 war. They face a lot of difficulties and challenges, but they are active and they do the job. And this is important not only for them and their families but for the whole village and the population.

During the meeting the State Minister talked about the situation after the August war and said that the current situation is damaging everyone – both Georgians and Ossetians. Therefore, the state will continue to implement peacekeeping policies, which is primarily oriented on the assistance of the population affected by conflict.

"Ergneti is one of the villages that seriously suffered during the war. The museum in which we are now and who was created by Mrs. Lia Chlachidze with the help of friends and neighbors is a living symbol of the fact that the occupation of Georgia continues. 

"Today we introduce you women's stories that are silently doing a very important job. They are really modern heroes. These women just with bare hands face barbed wire fences and care for a better future. They do the job and help those who need their help most of all.

"But they are not an exception. They are the face of thousands of people who face the barbed wires, and with the same courage and persistence they face daily challenges and show civil heroism. I would like to thank them and promise that in the future the state will make new steps and continue to help the population living along the dividing lines. We will also encourage women, their initiatives and efforts, and the answer on these artificial barricades will be the development and education. We also have the support of our foreign partners. I believe that in the future on August 8, Georgia will meet without barbed wire fences", - said Ketevan Tsikhelashvili.

He also talked about a new peace initiative "A Step for a Better Future", which, together with many other innovations, creates space for active involvement of women in all areas of activity.

"We are going to set up Women's Information-Consulting Platform, which will be open to active women and organizations in the peace process, create regular communication and promote women's involvement. Also in the nearest future we will present the socio-economic development strategy of the villages along the dividing lines and the Action Plan", - said the State Minister.