Opening the meeting, the Chairman of the Coordination Council of Women of Abkhazia at the World Abaza Congress Ekaterina Bebia introduced everyone to her guests – women, whose invaluable contribution to the victory was not always "noticed and appreciated."

The role of women in bringing victory closer: the WAC held a round table

© WAAC

"Each of our guests today has their own story, their own contribution to the victory. I want to point out that among those present there are individuals about whom very little has been said. I would like them to be known and heard," she said.

She dwelled in more detail on the history of each of them.

"Here is the hero’s mother, Irina Ankvab-Amichba, who lost her eldest son in the war. Fate turned out to be such that she lost her second son as well. His life was interrupted by an ill-fated mine, an echo of the war. This woman's modesty did not allow her to talk about her losses. She always remained in the shadows and alone with her pain. Here is Luna Sharmat with Aida Ashuba. These women collected invaluable material for our history. We worked with them to collect information about our fallen ones, about our soldiers. We visited their families, collected documents, photographs and letters. In those difficult war times, no one asked us about this, no one set us such a task, but we already understood then that all this was necessary and important to preserve for future generations. Today, a small part of those materials is the basis for my new book. Here are heroines Nanuli Ashuba and Marina Bganba, who, side by side with their brothers and fellow soldiers, led us to this victory through pain, fear and difficulties," she said.

The head of the Sukhum office of the WAC, Temur Rekvava, greeted the guests. He noted the importance of the meeting and the need to hold such events as often as possible.

"Living heroes are always a chance to talk, see and hear first-hand about what history is made of. I consider such meetings with eyewitnesses and participants in the events very important. After all, they convey reliable information, tell young people about what they experienced and how important it is to remember! On behalf of the Chairman of the Supreme Council of the WAC, Mussa Ekzekov, and on behalf of the entire team, I would like to express to you my respect, respect and gratitude for your work and heroism," he noted.

The round table participants shared stories from their military and today's peaceful life. Touching and sad memories of the fearlessness of their hero sons, of collecting invaluable material immediately in the most difficult times, as well as stories of women who took up arms on a par with men, they imbued everyone present with pain and tears.

The Journalism Department students present at the meeting listened to the stories with particular eagerness. They discussed the importance of preserving memory, the values of Abkhazian culture and the future of Abkhazia.

At the end of the meeting, all participants and guests of the round table thanked the leadership of the WAC and personally the Chairman of the Coordination Council of Women of Abkhazia under the Congress, Ekaterina Bebia, for the warm welcome and organization.

The Coordinating Council of Women of Abkhazia is a structure of the World Abaza Congress, whose activities are aimed at supporting the national strategy of women of Abkhazia.