UN Georgia, int’l organisations, embassies in country call for action to end violence against women “in all its forms”
“We call on all stakeholders, including political parties, the government, civil society organisations and the media to work towards a future where women are empowered to participate fully and equally in economic, social and political life, without fear of violence or harassment”, the organisations and embassies noted. Photo via UN Women
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The United Nations in Georgia, the European Union Delegation to the country, the OSCE and NATO Liaison Office, as well as the embassies to Georgia, on Saturday called for action “to end violence against women and girls in all its forms”, including sexual harassment and abuse to child marriage and femicide.
The joint statement on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women said gender-based violence remained “a critical problem” despite “decisive steps” taken by the Government and civil society in combating the violence.
Eliminating violence against women and girls will require strengthening and enforcing legislation and policies to protect their rights and to promote gender equality, to ensure full protection and support to survivors of violence, and to end impunity for all perpetrators”, the joint statement noted, stressing the importance to raise awareness and promote women’s leadership “at every stage of decision-making”.
The UN in ???????? w/@EUinGeorgia,@OSCE, @NATO Liaison Office & the embassies of ???????? ???????? ???????? ???????????????? ???????? ???????? ???????????????? ???????? ???????? ???????? ???????????????????????????????? ???????? ???????? ???????? ???????? ???????????????????????? issue a joint statement calling for action to empower women & end violence against women & girls.
— UN in Georgia (@ungeorgia) November 25, 2023
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It emphasised the “urgent need” to take “concrete steps” to eliminate violence against women in politics, “which prevents women’s meaningful participation in Georgian democracy”, adding economic violence was “one of the most hidden forms of violence” in Georgia, which has been forcing the victim to stay with the perpetrator”.
We call on all stakeholders, including political parties, the government, civil society organisations and the media to work towards a future where women are empowered to participate fully and equally in economic, social and political life, without fear of violence or harassment”, the organisations and embassies noted.
The embassies to Georgia of Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, France, Finland, Germany, Greece, Ireland and Italy, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, as well as Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom joined the statement.
The Georgian Government on Saturday said it joined the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, the event marked worldwide since 1991 to raise awareness over the problem.
The ambassadors of the European Union and the United States to Georgia, Paweł Herczyński and Robin Dunnigan on Saturday highlighted their work together with the Georgian Government and other relevant authorities to combat gender-based violence in the country on International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.
The Georgian Government is working on a bill that would tighten legislation on violence against women, Deputy Interior Minister Aleksandre Darakhvelidze told Interpressnews on Monday.
Georgian deputy interior and health ministers Aleksandre Darakhvelidze and Tamila Barkalaia on Thursday met female survivors within the ongoing 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence international campaign to provide them with information on their rights and public support services.
The Tbilisi TV tower, one of the iconic sights of the Georgian capital, is on Saturday illuminated in orange by the Tbilisi City Hall, in a symbolic move to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.
The Permanent Representation of Georgia to the Council of Europe on Sunday said the country was “proud to stand united” with other CoE member states behind the “landmark treaty” - Istanbul Convention - on Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence.
The Human Rights Council of Georgia on Monday said the Government had approved the national referral procedures by its resolution, aimed at the identification, protection, assistance, and rehabilitation of victims of violence against women and domestic violence.
The United Nations in Georgia, the European Union Delegation to the country, the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe and 25 embassies operating in the country on Friday released a joint statement on International Women’s Day to reaffirm commitment to achieving gender equality and empowerment for “all women and girls”.
Police officers in streets of Georgia's capital Tbilisi marked International Women's Day on Friday by stopping women drivers and passersby to give them flowers and messages of congratulations.