Lelos to promote UN campaign for ending violence against women in games vs Scotland, South Africa
The Lelos and their head coach Levan Maisashvili have voiced support for the UN Women campaign. Photo via Georgia Rugby Union.
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The Georgian national rugby team will wear kits highlighting United Nations Women organisation's campaign on ending violence against women in their upcoming summer test games against Scotland and World Rugby Champions South Africa.
In the three matches to be played against the two tier-1 nations, the Lelos will be on the field to voice a "global message by Georgian men in support of women", Georgia Rugby Union President Ioseb Tkemaladze said ahead of the fixtures.
The front of the crimson-coloured shirts of the national team will have the message 'In support of UN Women' displayed, marking a continuation of the Georgia Rugby Union and the global body's cooperation that goes back years.
#TheLelos to play @Springboks & @Scotlandteam with @UNWomen logo on their jerseys. Our BOYS hope to raise awareness for gender equality with this gesture ???????? #LELOS4EVAW
— Georgian Rugby (@GeorgianRugby) June 21, 2021
Check out article by Sara Mackford from @Rugbyworldmag ➡️ https://t.co/oybfZjLf9b pic.twitter.com/VSNqxofDbG
Head coach Maisashvili said violence against women was a "problem of international scale", adding the team was "pleased to be able to play these important tests with this [message of support]."
In his comments, the squad's captain Merab Sharikadze said the Lelos were "honoured to take part in raising awareness on this problem", stressing the relevance of the message and adding those who could contribute to "improving the situation" should "make maximum effort" for the cause.
Georgian rugby players have a long-standing partnership with UN Women. The cooperation is aimed at supporting men’s engagement for ending violence against women and girls
- UN Women
On the other end of the pitch, the Lelos' messages in support of the UN Women campaign join efforts by Siya Kolisi, captain of the 2019 Rugby World Cup-winning South African team who last year was designated UN Global Advocate for Spotlight Initiative - a campaign aiming to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls by 2030.
In his words after being selected as the ambassador for the cause, Kolisi said "I am committed to using my time and my platform to bring about positive change for not only women and girls in South Africa but all around the world" and offered personal experience around the subject.
The three games are set to be played next month, with South Africa hosting their Georgian counterparts on July 2 and July 9, before Maisashvili's team returns to Tbilisi for the encounter with Scotland at Dinamo Arena on July 17.