International missions in Georgia call for action on violence against women, girls

Representatives of international missions operating in Georgia on Friday issued a statement marking international day for the elimination of violence against women and calling for the strengthening of a “holistic” national framework to prevent all forms of violence against women and girls in the country.

The joint statement noted Georgia had made “significant progress” towards “effectively addressing” violence against women and girls by putting in place a comprehensive policy and legislative framework, producing data and strengthening institutions to efficiently enforce the laws.

Despite these significant measures taken to tackle gender-based violence in Georgia, women continue to die as a result of these atrocious crimes. Often, femicide represents the continuum of other forms of violence experienced by women and girls”, the statement said.

The statement also noted sexual violence persisted in Georgia, with an extremely low number of reporting and respective cases reaching the courts. 

“The persistent patriarchal norms and deeply entrenched stereotypes in Georgian society tend to blame victims and condone violence against women and girls”, the representatives of the international missions stressed.

We call for the strengthening of a holistic national framework to prevent all forms of violence against women and girls in Georgia.  Efforts should be translated into concrete actions through the necessary legislative measures. [...] Building and strengthening an enabling environment for women’s economic, political, and social empowerment is paramount”, they also noted.

“Since everyone has a pivotal role to play in tackling violence against women and girls, we remain steadfast in our determination to support the Government of Georgia, civil society, and other partners to ensure that the inalienable right of women and girls to live a life free from violence is observed and enjoyed for the benefit of everyone”, the statement concluded.

The joint statement has been issued by the United Nations in Georgia, the Delegation of the European Union to Georgia,  the Council of Europe Office in Georgia, the EU monitoring mission in Georgia and the Embassies to Georgia of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States.