22 Mar 2016

National Action Plan on Gender Equality: Annual Results

On 22 March 2016, the Gender Equality Council of the Parliament of Georgia presented the annual implementation results of the National Action Plan on Gender Equality 2014-2016. The event was organized with assistance from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Government of Sweden.

Manana Kobakhidze, First Deputy Chairperson of the Parliament and Chair of the Gender Equality Council; and Shombi Sharp, UNDP Resident Representative a.i. in Georgia, addressed the participants. 

“We are deeply encouraged that gender equality has become a priority for the Georgian Government. In fact, a lot of progress has been made already in terms of new policies and legislation, as well as better coordination between partners – the government, donors, international organisations and civil society. But now it is time to translate this into real change - to bring more women into politics, close the wage gap and increase the number of female entrepreneurs. Evidence shows that across the world, where this is achieved, everybody wins, from women and their families to the welfare and development of the country” – Shombi Sharp said.

19 Mar 2016

Earth Hour 2016 in Georgia: The Future Starts Today

On 19 March 2016, Georgia for the eights time joined Earth Hour, the global movement for climate action, which celebrates the tenth edition of its signature lights off event in the world. At 8:30 PM, landmarks and public buildings all over the country symbolically went dark for an hour followed by the street actions and rallies in support of greener and safer future of the planet. 

The Earth Hour sites in Tbilisi included Narikala Fortress, Peace Bridge, TV Tower, Presidential Palace, Parliament, Government Chancellery, City Hall, Youth Palace, UN House, government offices and main avenues.  

18 Mar 2016

Earth Hour 2016 in Georgia

On Saturday, 19 March 2016, 20:00 – 21:30, Round Garden in Tbilisi will see a traditional celebration of Earth Hour with

live music, candles and Shadow Theatre show.

The event is open to everyone who wishes to show their support to this massive environmental action when millions of people around the globe turn off the lights for greener and safer future.

Earth Hour in Tbilisi is organised by the United Nations Information Office (UNO) in Georgia, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources Protection of Georgia, Caucasus Environmental NGO Network (CENN) and WWF Caucasus in cooperation with Tbilisi City Hall.

16 Mar 2016

Ambassadorial Working Group Statement on the Release of Illegally Recorded Videos

The Ambassadorial Working Group is deeply concerned over the recent release of illegally recorded videos. This targeting of politicians and public figures displays a contempt for the democratic principles upon which Georgia is founded.

We condemn all forms of such abuse and commend the strong statements made by Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili and President Giorgi Margvelashvili in support of human rights and fundamental freedoms.

16 Mar 2016

Ana Poghosian – The Best Female Rugby Player of 2015

“Rugby is a power game”, “Rugby is not the right game for women”; these stereotypes are widespread in Georgia, dividing sport into two categories: those sports which are feminine and those which are masculine. Although rugby is very popular in Georgia and Georgian rugby players have many fans, women’s rugby is less developed and very few people know of any Georgian female rugby players.

15 Mar 2016

Women’s Rights in Conflicts

Over 60 university students gathered for a daylong conference “Women’s Rights in Conflicts” held in commemoration of the Int'l Women's Day on 14 March 2016 at Tbilisi Laerton Hotel.

The impact of conflict on women, women’s insecurity, conflict-related sexual violence, impunity, and the role of women in peace-building was in focus of the conference.

26 Feb 2016

Equality Means Business – UN Women Launches Training Initiative with the Private Sector

Being told that you are ‘not a real man’”, “ridicule”, “being seen as a bad mother” - UN Women is conducting an exercise with private sector representatives at the headquarters of TBC Bank, one of the country’s largest banks.

The participants have been asked to brainstorm examples of what women and men can face when they go against gender norms and stereotypes. The exercise leads on to a presentation of how stereotypes relate to discrimination in the workplace, as well as guidelines and promising examples of how such discrimination can be tackled.

The discussion was part of UN Women Georgia’s pilot training on how to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment in the workplace, the marketplace and the community. The training was based on the UN Women and UN Global Compact guidelines for the corporate sector, known as the Women’s Empowerment Principles. The purpose of the training, which targets management staff, was to promote responsible business practices and women’s economic empowerment.