Media Releases

08 Mar 2017 Documentary film festival pays tribute to women and girls

Documentary film festival pays tribute to women and girls

“Woman in Focus”, a three-day documentary film festival co-organized by Noosfera Foundation and UN Women, opened on 8 March 2017, International Women’s Day, in Tbilisi’s Rustaveli Cinema.

“Let me scream, because I am tired of being silent,” sings Sonita, a 15-year-old Afghan girl and main protagonist of the documentary feature directed by Rokhsareh Ghaem Magham, a critically acclaimed Iranian female director. The documentary tells the story of thousands of Afghan girls who are married off to get money for their families or brothers who wish to buy a bride. This, however, is not the case for Sonita, a determined teenager who, with the support of peers and mentors (among them the film director herself), materializes her dream to become the first female Afghan rapper.

 

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27 Jan 2017 Educational Outreach Event to Commemorate Victims of the Holocaust

Educational Outreach Event to Commemorate Victims of the Holocaust

The United Nations Office (UNO) in Georgia and the European Law Students Association of Georgia (ELSA) jointly organized this year's observance of International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust. Students from universities of Tbilisi and youth leaders participated in a panel discussion organized under the theme, “Holocaust Remembrance: Educating for a Better Future” on January 27, 2017 at Museum Hotel.

 

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26 Jan 2017 Statement of Niels Scott, Resident Coordinator, on behalf of the United Nations Country Team regarding announced closure of crossing points along the Inguri River

Statement of Niels Scott, Resident Coordinator, on behalf of the United Nations Country Team regarding announced closure of crossing points along the Inguri River

We note the announcement of the imminent closure of Khurcha-Nabakevi and Orsantia-Otobaia crossing points along the Inguri River. It is incumbent on the United Nations to raise the very real concerns of the population being negatively impacted by these changes, creating greater vulnerability and isolation of those living in the adjacent areas. Based on observed patterns the closure of the remaining pedestrian crossing points will likely affect at least 1,000 crossings a day on average.

The United Nations are concerned that the announced restrictions will have negative consequences for the humanitarian and development needs of those living in Abkhazia, Georgia. As movement is further restricted, the people of Abkhazia will find it more difficult to access basic services such as healthcare and education and participate in economic activities and social events such as weddings, funerals and public holiday commemorations, as well as family gatherings across the dividing line. Notably, access to education for children who have been crossing to attend schools in their mother tongue will be impeded.

 

 

 

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26 Jan 2017 Access to Justice for Internally Displaced Persons

Access to Justice for Internally Displaced Persons

Since 2010, more than 28,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) throughout Georgia have benefited from free legal advice on matters such as access to housing and land, social benefits and livelihood opportunities.

These legal aid services are made available through the establishment of legal clinics in the regional offices of the Ministry of Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied Territories, Refugees and Accommodation of Georgia (MRA), which resulted from a partnership between UN Women and the Ministry with funding from the Government of Norway and the European Union (EU).

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03 Jan 2017 Sexual Harassment – Georgia’s Public Defender’s Office Takes a Stand

Sexual Harassment – Georgia’s Public Defender’s Office Takes a Stand

The Public Defender of Georgia, in his “Special Report on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality” (2015), identifies sexual harassment in the workplace as one of the most widespread and unreported issues.

Although reliable national data are lacking, figures from European Union (EU) countries reveal that one in two women has experienced sexual harassment at least once. Out of these, 32% indicated a colleague, manager or customer as the perpetrator (European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights, 2015). Despite the magnitude of the problem, sexual harassment is considered to be a taboo topic in Georgia, and many people who have experienced it are unaware that it is a form of violence and discrimination. UN Women met with Ekaterine Skhiladze, Deputy Public Defender, to discuss how sexual harassment can be prevented, and what a person can do who has experienced sexual harassment in the workplace.

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03 Jan 2017 Critical acclaim for theatre play challenging attitudes towards women’s rights

Critical acclaim for theatre play challenging attitudes towards women’s rights

The Ministry of Culture and Monument Protection of Georgia hosted the eighth annual Duruji Theatre Award ceremony on 27 December 2016. Three of the four principal awards went to Lysistrata, a play devoted to ending violence against women and girls.

Art, including theatre, is a powerful tool for raising awareness about violence against women and girls and for changing public perceptions and attitudes towards it. As such, UN Women, in the framework of the UN Joint Programme to Enhance Gender Equality in Georgia (funded by the Government of Sweden), supported the big stage premiere of Lysistrata at the Rustaveli Theatre in 2015. Since then, the play has been included in the regular repertoire of the Rustaveli Theatre and performed on the stage of Kutaisi Theatre.

 

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01 Jan 2017 The Secretary-General Appeal for Peace

The Secretary-General Appeal for Peace

On my first day as Secretary-General of the United Nations, one question weighs heavily on my heart.

How can we help the millions of people caught up in conflict, suffering massively in wars with no end in sight?

Civilians are pounded with deadly force. Women, children and men are killed and injured, forced from their homes, dispossessed and destitute. Even hospitals and aid convoys are targeted.

No one wins these wars; everyone loses. Trillions of dollars are spent destroying societies and economies, fueling cycles of mistrust and fear that can last for generations. Whole regions are destabilized and the new threat of global terrorism affects us all.

On this New Year’s Day, I ask all of you to join me in making one shared New Year’s resolution:

Let us resolve to put peace first.

Let us make 2017 a year in which we all – citizens, governments, leaders – strive to overcome our differences.

From solidarity and compassion in our daily lives, to dialogue and respect across political divides… From ceasefires on the battlefield, to compromise at the negotiating table to reach political solutions…

Peace must be our goal and our guide.

All that we strive for as a human family – dignity and hope, progress and prosperity – depends on peace. 

But peace depends on us.

I appeal to you all to join me in committing to peace, today and every day.

Let us make 2017 a year for peace.

Thank you.  

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