From March 1 to 11, 2009 Georgia hosted Gender Week events for the fourth time. Within the frame of UNDP Gender and Politics Project, four years ago outreach campaign - Gender Week was initiated dedicated to the International Women’s Day aiming to promote gender equality concept nationwide and increase gender awareness of various stakeholders and the general public.

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Award ceremony for the journalists for the best gender media works

Official awarding ceremony of the journalists for the best gender works on the gender-related issues of 2007 held in the restaurant "TWO SIDE”. Rusudan Kervalishvili, deputy-chairperson of the Georgian parliament and the Chairman of the Gender Advisory Council under the Chairman of the Parliament of Georgia, United Nations Development Program and Swiss International Development and Cooperation Agency representatives awarded three winners with diplomas and special prizes.

Deputy-chairperson of the Georgian parliament Rusudan Kervalishvili said at the ceremony, that right gender policy would help the development of our country, such projects, supported by the majority, do their bit in the determination of woman’s role in our society.

Rusudan Loladze – public broadcast journalist won the first prize. Journalist of the radio ”Tavisupleba” Jimsher Rekhviashvili took the second prize and Eka Gulava -journalist of the ”Rezonansi” received the third prize.

Special Jury revealed the winners. Contest and awarding ceremony was held within the  framework of ”Gender and Policy in South Caucasus»,  financed by United Nations Development Program (UNDP), Parliament of Georgia, Swiss International Agency and Georgian Government. Such contest holds for two years and would become traditional.

Gender Week III

The major event underpinning 2008 1st quarter of the project was Gender Week III in Georgia started in March 7 and continued till March 14. Main objectives and the core idea of the week was to promote women in politics and gender equality concept country-wide through different activities and events, held in the period of the week. Utilizing best practices from the previous gender week events, gender week III proved to be one of the shiny initiatives initiated in the frame of the project. Majority of events took place in Tbilisi this year; however Kutaisi and Batumi also joined the occasion. One of the highlights of the gender week III is that, it was recognized as important initiative by civil society representatives which can lead to sustainability of gender week initiative in the future.

Photo exhibition “Equality and Harmony” and award ceremony of winner photo authors

In the beginning of 2008, Gender and Politics program in partnership with Contemporary Art club CAC announced the start of nationwide photo competition “Gender and Harmony”. During the period of January – February, more then 120 photos were submitted by professionals and beginners, out of which 50 have been selected for the photo exhibition. Special website in the internet was created, where all submitted photos were posted along with the conditions of the nationwide photo competition. In March 7, gender week III started officially with official opening of photo exhibition “Gender and Harmony” and award ceremony for the best photo authors in the main hall of “Amirani Cinema”. Winners for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd places nominated and awarded with special prizes and diplomas. After the award ceremony, photo exhibition was displayed for one month and everybody, who was visiting Cinema “Amirani” had an opportunity to see the photos. The exhibition will later be moved to Batumi, Adjara Autonomous Republic and Kutaisi, Imereti region.

Film on gender issues and public discussion

One of the events of the gender week II was presentation and discussion of the 2.5 hour film ’’Camille Claudel*’’ by Bruno Nuytten in “”Amirani” Small Cinema Hall facilitated by Georgian art critic Nana Janelidze. Presentation and discussion of the film took place in March 7 and was attended with the representatives of art and cinematography, students, local NGOs and academia working on gender issues. Core idea of the film was Camille Claudel. Her talent and ambition caught the attention of the legendary sculptor Rodin, who served first as her mentor, and then as her lover. But Camille's independence and fierce desire to win acceptance for her own work clashed with the social restrictions of turn-of-the-century Europe, leading to her eventual destruction.

Art exhibition “Evolutionary Gender in the Georgian visual culture before and after the Sovietization period” and series of public lectures

Art exhibition Evolutionary Gender in the Georgian visual culture before and after the Sovietization period – was organized in cooperation with the National Museum of Georgia. The aim of the exhibition was to show how the visual culture becomes the means of the representation, changes and establishment of social and gender codes and new gender paradigms in the process of formation of new Soviet cultural rules. Exposition was performed by watercolors and graphic works, unique photos and placates from Soviet times; also a video art - documentary film clippings depicting parades of Stalin’s period. More than 250 people attended opening of the event in March 14th, including representatives of Parliament of Georgia, diplomatic missions, government of Georgia, NGOs, international organizations and academia. Special catalogue of the exhibition was distributed among guest along with promo gifts. Event was covered by almost all nationwide TV companies and leading Georgian, English and Russian newspapers. During entire period of exhibition number of beneficiates (exhibition visitors and students) amounted 2456. In total 23 public lectures were delivered, where 35 student volunteers, specially trained in lecturing and mentoring participated along with professional Art Critics to deliver lectured for more than 350 students. The special series of public lectures were conducted in Museum Auditorium as well as special trainings for volunteers and journalists, as for the special programme for school students, it was organized in the exposition hall.

Tbilisi Bus stops light box campaign “Gender Equality – Our Choice”          

As a part of the gender week III, from March 1^st to April 7, special one month gender equality banner campaign in Tbilisi streets through bus stop light box system started. Goal of the campaign was to raise awareness among general public about gender equality issues through utilizing one of the popular and effective public relations instrument, recently introduced to Georgian market.    

Meeting of Local Women Councilors Forum with the State Minister on Regional Issues, to discuss the socio-economic problems within regions

The Local Women’s Councilors’ Forum has been established with the assistance of Gender and Politics programme. The Local Women’s Councilors’ Forum meets regularly for various issues pertaining regional problems. On 8 March 2008 within Gender Week III framework, the Local Women’s Councilors’ Forum met David Tkeshelashvili, the State Minister for Regional Issues, to discuss the socio-economic problems the local self-governments encounter in their daily work. The State  Minister in his speech stressed the importance of local self-governance in the process of solution of many if not all local problems that districts and villages face; he spoke about the importance of decentralization and increased role of local councilors, especially women councilors, who tend to be more socially oriented and practical in many matters. The minister announced his readiness to cooperate with the Forum and stressed the importance of women’s participation in politics.

The Minister expressed his wish to meet periodically the members of the Forum and actively participate in solving the issues raised by them. The Minister also suggested that the representatives of the Women’s Forum to become the members of the Public Council that will be established at the State Minister’s Office in the near future and will work on the regional development and decentralization issues.  

Round Table “Gender Aspects of Current Social Policy” with participation of NGOs and governmental structure representatives

Round Table on “Gender Aspect of Transformed Social Policy” was organized on 10 March 2008 at Hotel “Courtyard Marriott”. The round table aimed to discuss new socially oriented programme of Government to tackle poverty problem in Georgia. 35 participants from the Ministry of Social and Health Care, Parliament Committee of Social and Health Care, Members of Gender Advisory Council and international and national organizations took part in the meeting. The new social programmes adopted by government has become gender sensitive in a way it is now steadily directed to the well being of pensioners among whom 62% are women, to improvement of unemployment among whom majority still are women, women and child health care was put as a top level problem to be addressed systematically.

TV programme “Gender Equality and Georgian Society” at Imereti Region Based TV Company “Rioni”

As a part of the gender week III, TV company “Rioni” covering all Imereti region hosted 30 minute studio talk show “Gender Equality and Georgian Society” in March 1^st. Invited guest of the show discussed current situation of gender equality in country and particularly in Imereti region. 

Round Table “Gender Equality and Civil Society” hosted by Gender Equality Resource Center of Imereti

As a part of the gender week III, in March 4^th, Imereti Gender Equality Resource Center hosted round table where representatives of 17 local NGOs took part. During the round table, participant discussed current challenges of gender equality, country and Imereti region is facing. It was decided to organize regular meetings to ensure coordination of gender equality issues jointly. Information about the event was broadcasted by local TV Company “Rioni”.

      Gender Week Print, Electronic Media Support and Publicity and Outdoor Campaign

As a result of the week, 12 newspaper articles were published by Georgian, English and Russian nationwide newspapers, 6032 second PSA was on air during one month period on three nationwide TV companies and 7 special plots were prepared and broadcasted by all nationwide TV companies. 300 copies of of Flit cards “gender Equality – Our Choice” produced and placed in the 35 populated places of Tbilisi (cinemas, cafes, restaurants, fitness clubs, etc) and special one month outdoor billboard campaign “Gender Equality – Our Choice” took place in Kutaisi, Imereti region.

Award Ceremony II for the best gender balanced organization in Georgia

Presidential hall of the Parliament of Georgia for the second time hosted award ceremony for the best gender balanced organizations in Georgia in December 24^th, 2007. Acting president of Georgia, Ms. Nino Burjanadze awarded three winners. The event was preceded by the   two month sociological survey conducted within the UNDP Gender and Politics Program in the South Caucasus in business sector, executive government and local self government for defining best gender balanced organization at the decision level.

Special prize and Diploma for the best gender balanced business company in decision making position went to the “Tegeta Motors”. Prizes and Diplomas were given to the Ministry of Refugees for the best gender balanced structure in the executive government and to the Local Council of Upper Apkhazeti Municipality for the best gender balanced local council.

Event was attended by the representatives of Georgian business sector, business development organizations, media, members of the parliament along with the members of the gender advisory council under the Chairperson of the Parliament of Georgia, representatives of local and international organizations, UNDP and Sida.

Award ceremony is becoming regular event aiming to educate project stakeholders and targeted groups / beneficiaries as well as general public about gender equality issues and stimulate gender balance in decision-making positions within business sector, executive government and local self government.

Establishing female local councilors forum

In the framework of the Project “Gender and Politics in South Caucasus” a special program for women was elaborated aiming at developing skills among female local councilors and raising public awareness about the gender issues among them. Within the mentioned program, training on “women’s role in the formation of the local policy” was conducted for 60 women members of the local self-government bodies. A working group was established from the training participants, those who will gather on a regular basis to work on the most important and crucial issues. The following principles were taken into account when establishing the above-mentioned group: regional approach; party representation; election rules and membership of the local self-government bureaus (heads of the commissions). By the decision of the majority of the group, the working group was named “The Forum of the Women Councilors”.

The Forum is a non-governmental, non-political organization, uniting women of the local self-government. Goal of the forum is to actively involve women, elected by the population, in reviling and finding the ways and solutions to the local problems. In particular, forum will be working in following directions:

• To support enhancing women’s role in the process of developing local democracy and establishing an effective institutions;
• To elaborate recommendations and legislative initiatives for the full functioning of the local self-government with gender sensitive approach;
•  To enhance women’s role in the process of the socio-economic development of the regions.

It is planned to expand activities and involve forum members in all ongoing socio-economic and political process of the regions.  

Gender Equality Resource Center opens in Kutaisi, Imereti region

In the frame of the gender week, in March 7, 2007 Gender Equality Resource Center opened in city Kutaisi, Imereti region. Imereti Regional Gender Equality Resource Center in Kutaisi, will serve the population of Imereti Region to improve their social and economic conditions. The center aims at carrying out gender sensitive policy in the region, supporting women’s human development opportunities and developing abilities of men and women in order to ensure their active and equal participation in the country’s political, economical and social life.Gender Equality Resource Center will work in following directions: 

• Trainings: Trainings for public in region on the following issues: Human Rights, women’s rights, gender policy and international documents, also, regional and local legislation; participation in politics, leadership and management; improvement of the communicational abilities; informational and communicational technologies; business management, business planning.
• Business Component: The aim of the component is the development of small business, the support to women’s entrepreneurship and their employment, namely starting business support in order to provide self-employment and entrepreneurship to the beneficiaries, to support currently existing business; to create additional places of work and to enforce the abilities of the unemployed in order to give them awareness and skills necessary for their future employment. The component covers business trainings, trainings and consultations on loan application, as well as the micro-credit programme in subsidizing credits.
• Research and Analysis: Study and analysis of the political, economic and social background in the region; study and analysis of the situation on gender equality; compilation of the reference legislative acts and academic works and their accumulation in the library; creation of the relevant information base.
• Consultations: By means of special web- portal the centre will give free consultations to the public on legal issues, namely in human rights, women’s rights, in human political, economic, cultural rights, mother’s and children’s rights, in social privileges of the country etc. It will also provide psychological consultations for the victims of family violence, who will also be able to apply to the legal services in order to protect their rights.
• Public Relations Service: the centre, with the help of public research experts of the project will keep permanent links with public at wide through mass-media, in order to inform public about the activities of the center, as well as about gender issues and gender equality problems. The centre will ensure stable networking and cooperation between civil society and governmental agencies.

Gender Equality Resource Center officially was opened by the Governor of Imereti region, Mr. Akaki Bobokhidze, followed by UNDP Resident Representative Mr. Robert Watkins and the member of the Parliament, coordinator of the Gender Equality Advisory Council under the Chairperson of the Parliament of Georgia Ms. Keti Makharashvili.

Among the guests, there were members of the parliament of Georgia, representatives of governor’s office of Imereti region, Kutaisi municipality, guests from the government of Adjara Autonomous Republic, as well as local and international organizations and mass media.

Gender equality resource centre was initiated by Parliament Speaker Nino Burjanadze in 2006 and launched with the support from UNDP and Swedish International Development Co-operation Agency (Sida) and Georgian government, implemented through the Gender and Politics Program in the South Caucasus.

Award ceremony of the authors for the best gender-related articles and report 

In the frame of the “Gender and Politics Programme in the South Caucasus”, in December 14^th, 2006 restaurant “Kalakuri” hosted the award ceremony of the authors for the best gender-related articles and reports. 

Specialized jury comprised of gender experts and members of the Gender Council under the Chairman of the Parliament of Georgia revised 48 stories and reports published and broadcasted in Georgian media between December 2005 and December 2006. 

“Georgian Parliament actively participates in a dialogue on gender issues. Media can play an outstanding role in promoting principles of equality. I am pleased to support Georgian media in its interest to this most important issue” said Nino Burjanadze, Chairperson of the Parliament, who will award the main winners together with UNDP Resident Representative Robert Watkins and Regional Coordinator of Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) Maria Israelsson.

   
“Making gender equality a reality is a core commitment of UNDP. As a crosscutting issue, it must be addressed in everything the organisation does,” said Robert Watkins, UNDP Resident Representative. “International community made strong commitments for women’s equality and empowerment and UNDP helps countries to translate these commitments into practical realities.”

Nino Burjanadze, Chairman of the Parliament of Georgia personally awarded the winner, Mr. Jaba Labadze, representative of Kashuri based newspaper “Khasuris Moambe” with the 1^st place diploma and the 1000 GEL prize. The second prize valued 500 GEL and 2^nd place diploma went to journalist Ms. Irma Kakhurashvili, journalist of Tbilisi based newspaper “Akhali Versia” and the third prize valued 300 GEL and 3^rd place diploma went to Ms. Tako Janiashvili, journalist of Tbilisi based newspaper “Resonance”.

According to the jury, three special prizes were established, recipients of which became Ms. Natasha Worcholak, English newspaper “Georgian Today” for the original newspaper article on gender thematic, Ms. Eka Mamaladze, information agency “Interpress” for disseminating gender thematic information and news to Georgian media most widely and Mr. Irakli Mskhiladze, Radio “Green Wave”, Batumi Bureau for the best and original radio report.

The event was a part of the Gender and Politics project jointly implemented by UNDP Country Office in Georgia and the Georgian Parliament. Funded by Swedish International Development Agency and the Government of Georgia, a three-year activity aims at enhancing the governmental mechanisms to implement en-gendered policies.

Advisory Council under the Chairperson of the Parliament of Georgia – the first institutional mechanism

Within the framework of the project, the Advisory Council on Gender Equality was established under the Chair of the Parliament of Georgia, which is the first institutional mechanism in Georgia. Council brings non-governmental and governmental representatives to discuss and issue recommendations on gender issues, to help ensure that women's voices are heard on an equal footing with men in formulating public policy and decision making at the national and local levels.

Council is chaired by the Chairperson of the Parliament of Georgia Ms. Nino Burjanadze and is coordinated by the coordinator of the “Gender and Politics Program in South Caucasus” Ms. Nino Lagvilava and coordinator of the Council, Ms Ketevan Makharashvili, parliamentarian. The Council is composed of seven parliamentarians, six NGOs and four representatives of the Executive Branch of the Government.

Council meets on a regular basis to discuss different draft laws, among them were new draft Labor Code, draft law on trafficking, domestic violence, as well as draft of statistics and local government.

The Councils members are conducting regular visits in different regions of Georgia and are meeting representatives of local government, NGO representatives and citizens for the promotion of Gender Equality Council activities and introduce gender equality issues at the grass root level. In the framework of the “Gender and Politics Program in the South Caucasus”, gender advisory council was provided with technical assistance – 8 members of the council, as well as all female parliamentarians were supported with computers and other technical equipment.

The Council acts as a lobbying unit for gender issues and focuses its activities on the following aspects such as:

1.        Discuss and issue recommendations on gender issues;

2.        Elaborate proposals and recommendations on National Gender Policy setting out the actions to integrate gender equality in all spheres and sectors of the political, economic and social life of Georgia;

3.        Ensure gender mainstreamed legislation and approximation of Georgian Legislation to the European Union Law pertaining gender equality;

4.        Within its competence observe the implementation of the international agreements and conventions involving the rights of women and gender equality issues;

5.        Co-operate closely with international and local organizations working on gender issues.

For more information please visit the website of the Advisory Council under the Chairperson of the Parliament of Georgia.

Gender departments in the regions of Georgia

Through the assistance provided by the “Gender and Politics Program in South Caucasus”, Advisory Council under the Chairperson of the Parliament of Georgia constantly works on creation and supporting gender departments in the regions of Georgia. Members of the Advisory Council under the Chairperson of the Parliament of Georgia are often visiting regions of Georgia and checking the possibilities of establishing gender focal points and departments within the local government structures. Results of this kind of meetings are gender departments which were created in city Khashuri and Martvili and their technical support. At the same time constant support is provided to already established gender focal points and departments in city Mtskheta (Mtskheta region gender equality department, created within the Mtskheta “Gamgeoba”), Chokhatauri, Kutaisi, Kazbegi, Dusheti and Akhaltsikhe.

Gender Week in Georgia

In the frame of the “Gender and Politics Program in the South Caucasus” between March 1 and 8, 2006 first time in Georgia Gender week was celebrated. It was unique event with great public outreach.

• Gender week started with the award ceremony for the best gender balanced organizations in decision-making positions. , March 1, 2006 - Tbilisi Courtyard Marriot Hotel ball room hosted Award Ceremony for the Best Gender Balanced Organizations in Georgia. Chairman of the Georgian Parliament, Ms. Nino Burjanadze, who at the same time is a Chairman of the Gender and Equality Council under the Chairman of the Parliament established in the frame of the UNDP Gender and Politics Program in South Caucasus project gave prizes to three business companies and one ministry those who had best gender balances in decision – making positions. UNDP and SIDA representatives also had an chance to provide a specially created prizes to winners. The objective of the event was to educate project stakeholders and targeted groups / beneficiaries as well as general public about gender equality issues and stimulate gender balance in decision-making positions within business sector, executive government and local self government. The event was preceded by the   two month sociological survey conducted within the UNDP Gender and Politics Program in business sector, executive government and local self government for defining best gender balanced organization at the decision level.

• March 1^st, as a part of the gender week, special weekly, one hour live radio programme on gender thematic was hosted by radio “Green Wave”, where Gender and Politics project staff and UNDP representatives, members of the Gender Advisory Council under the Chair of the Parliament of Georgia, MPs of Georgian and academia, spoke about gender issues, shared their knowledge and experience, provided detailed information on the events held within the gender week framework.
• In March 2^nd, official presentation and opening of the exhibition of classic arts paintings named “Gender and Art” was held at the Georgian National Museum where the Chairman of the Georgian Parliament Ms. Nino Burjanadze made an opening speech. During the entire month of March, 2006 exhibition was opened for wider public and school student excursions were arranged in order to conduct short thematic topic lectures and use classical paintings as an educational instrument. The concept behind this exhibition was to show how gender identification influences artists and their works, this way to promote a better understanding of historical perspectives and current concept of gender through the prism of art. Works of the famous Georgian and European artists were presented at the exhibition, some of them saw the day light for the first time ever.
• March 4^th, TMS Art Gallery in Tbilisi hosted official opening of two day Photo & Video Installation which was held in the frame of the gender week, organized by UNDP Gender and Politics Program in South Caucasus with partnership of Modern Arts Club. The name of the exhibition was “A minute is sufficient to see the whole life” and represented an artistic statement of gender sensitivity of women artists emphasizing protests against women’s stereotypes.
• March 6, UNDP Gender and Politics Program in the South Caucasus in partnership with Tbilisi State University organized first, one day public lecture on gender for wider audience. The main goal of the lecture was to educate people on gender equality concept, especially students and professors, inform youth, as well as university administration and provide with useful theoretical and practical knowledge and disseminate relevant printed materials and resources among them. Main guest speaker of the lecture was specially invited US scholar, Head of the Gender Studies Department of Rutgers University, New Jersey, Ms. Joana Regulska who conducted a lecture on “Gender, State and Society”.gender and shared international experience to the audience.

Besides these major events, the billboards, Electronic Advertisement Screens and posters were designed to deliver key messages on gender equality to general public, with visualization. Main streets of Tbilisi Georgia were covered with the specially designed slogans about the gender equality and short video clips displayed in every three minutes to two big advertisement screens in the downtown of Tbilisi, explaining the concept and idea of gender equality to citizens of Tbilisi, Georgia. At the same time special educational PSA on gender equality were created. The PSA was aired by the most popular TV channels in the Capital as well as by all active regional TVs.

UN Model for the first time on gender issues in the Caucasus

In June 18, 2006 Tbilisi hosted a Model UN focusing on gender issues, launched in the framework of the UNDP Gender and Politics Program in South Caucasus. The event brought together the youth representatives from three Caucasian countries: Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan to discuss gender balance across different countries and Gender Quotas as an effective tool to achieve gender balance in top-level decision making

“Gender Issues are not on the top priority in the world. We are trying in Georgia to publicize this concept. We support the initiatives of such events at the students’-grassroots level”. – Kety Makharashvili the MP and Coordinator of Parliamentary Gender Equality Advisory Council, mentioned in her speech at the official opening ceremony of the conference.

Specifically the gender equality and female participation inside political system topped the agenda of the event which brought together the youth representatives from Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan. The game dubbed as Model UN role-playing playing for youth enables the youth to put themselves in the shoes of internationally well known diplomats, orators and speechmakers and represent the country they choose at UN General Assembly.

At simulating UN General Assembly students tried to adopt the new Universal Convention on the gender issues. The focus was made on the potential for introducing a gender-balanced quota system among political parties and in the executive government. At the meeting the existing problems regarding gender balance in different countries with different legislation, cultural and traditional backgrounds and discussion of Gender quotas as an effective instrument to achieve gender balance in top-level decision making aroused. They agreed on the resolution according to which the women participation in politics at all levels should   increase by 3 percent.

The initiative of launching the event became possible under the Gender and Politics Program in South Caucasus implemented by the UNDP in cooperation with the Parliament of Georgia with the support of SIDA. The event was organized by the United Nations Association of Georgia, the organization having the long and worthwhile history record in running Model UN Sessions in Georgia.

Georgian Parliament adopted State Concept on Gender Equality

In July 24, 2006 Georgian parliament adopted the state Concept on the Gender Equality. Document was presented by Ms. Guguli Magradze, member of the Georgian parliament and the advisory Council on gender Issues under the chairperson of the Parliament of Georgia.

The Concept aims at securing the equal rights and opportunities for women and men and ensuring their efficient realization. It recognizes the principles of gender equality in all spheres of life and provides the framework for introducing and implementing measures for prevention and elimination of all forms of discrimination on the ground of sex and for the active pursue of gender equality;

The State Concept on Gender Equality was elaborated by a special working group, formed by the members of the  advisory Council on gender Issues under the chairperson of the Parliament of Georgia and state commission on gender equality. Working group was supported and assisted by the UNDP gender and politics programme in South Caucasus project, UNIFEM, UNFPA and international experts. 

After the ratification of the international documents, Georgian government took the responsibility to provide gender equality at all levels. The adoption of the state concept on the gender equality serves to the fulfillment of the objectives of implementation international obligations.