Women's Coalition of Georgia forwarded to
the parliament 32 thousand signatures

press-conference

May 2, 2008

Women's Coalition of Georgia forwarded to the parliament 32 thousand signatures in support of ammendments to the country's elections legislation. At the press-conference, held on May 2, the Coalition members shared this news with the media stressing that the amendments aim to bring more women in politics.

According to Tamara Abramishvili, the Coalition member, women's NGOs urge the authorities to amend legisation so that the country's parliament introduces temporary measures (quotas) to bring the number of women to 50%.

"Over 32 thousand people, living both in Tbilisi and in the regions of Georgia, supported and signed this initiative, and the Coalition forwarded all signatures to the parliament today," Abramishvili stated at the press-conference.

According to the existing regulations, the parliament now is obliged to study and discuss the Women's Coalition's legislative initiative. "We hope that the new parliament, elected on May 21, will support activation of women's participation in decision-making processes," the Coalition members stressed talking to the media on May 2 press-conference.

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Supporting women candidates –
More women to Georgian parliament!

action

May 1, 2008

Trying on the role of the parliament member – that was an opportunity for anyone who participated in the action organized by the Women’s Coalition of Georgia. At the action, that took place between 2 p.m. – 4 p.m., participants took photos using a stencil image of a typical parliament member, extemporaneously turned into a female parliamentarian. Leaflets, urging the society to support women candidates and balloons with the Coalition emblem were disseminated at the action.

“The goal of the action is to inform the society about our aspiration to support justice and democracy by means of increasing the number of women at decision-making regardless of their political and party preferences. We want to address to the society urging it to support women candidates, we want to emphasize that women make 53% of total population of Georgia, while their number in parliament is only 9%,” Ketevan Dadunashvili, Coalition member stressed.

PRE-ELECTIONS MEDIA CAMPAIGN PLAN PRESENTED
by the new Council of the Coalition

Coalition’s working meeting

April 22, 2008

The Coalition Council presented its plan on holding media-campaign designed to support women at the upcoming elections. Complex activation, involving women candidates, voters and party and monitoring activists is planned by the Coalition. Active work with the media is aimed at promoting this issue and at rising public awareness.

The media-campaign will be consisting of several key events. One of these events will take place on April 30; this is when the Coalition is scheduled to present 30 thousand signatures collected in support of the initiative to amend elections legislation.

Besides this, it is planned to hold different actions both in the capital of Georgia and in the regions; local and national newspapers will cover the news of the Coalition, and besides it, the Coalition will publish its own newspaper, entirely focused on its news and analyses.

The Council decided to announce the results of these actions at the conference scheduled for the beginning of July.

The Coalition emphasizes that it supports all women candidates, regardless of their political preferences.

TO SUPPORT WOMEN'S ACTIVE PARTICIPATION IN ELECTIONS

press-conference

April 8, 2008

The country is in need for women's active participation in the elections, the Coalition members stated at the press-conference. It is vitally important for the country to have as many women involved in the process, as possible. The Coalition emphasized on the importance of activating women electorate, female political party members, women's participation in elections observation and monitoring. It is extremely important that as many women as possible should be named as candidates for the upcoming parliamentary elections.

The press-conference took place on the threshold of the tragic date for Georgia, April 9.

19 years ago, 22 people struggling for the country's independence were killed in the center of Tbilisi by Soviet troops. There were 16 women among the victims.

Years passed, but even today it is necessary to state that Georgia still has a long way to go to obtain true democracy. The country still faces severe gender misbalance, for example, there are only 9 percent of women in the parliament. Gender misbalance is the threat bringing new challenges to the society. That is why the Coalition called on journalists on the threshold of April 9 to voice once again its position and to gain support of media and the society. 

GENDER APPROACH IN ECONOMY –
the basics for social justice and equal opportunities
for women and men

regional conference

Tbilisi, April 1, 2008

The Regional Conference was organized by the United Nations Development Programme within the frameworks of Gender and Policy in South Caucasus project, together with the UN European Economic Commission and ODIHR OSCE. Experts from Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Ireland, Italy, Germany, as well as representatives of number of international organizations took part in the discussion. Prof Charita Jashi, expert on gender and economy, was the conference organizer on behalf of the Coalition of Women’s NGOs of Georgia.

Gigi TSERETELI, chairman, Parliamentary Committee on Health and Social protection:
“We struggle for equally high living standards for both men and women. To reach this goal, it is necessary to achieve equal opportunities. It is the merit of non-governmental sector that these issues are on the top of the country’s agenda.”

Matilda  DIMOVSKA, Assistant Resident Representative UNDP in Georgia:
“Gender misbalance is a potential threat to the national security. Equal opportunities mean internal stability for a country.”

Ewa RUMINSKA-ZIMNY, Senior Social Affairs Officer, UNECE:
“In order to make economy more harmonious, it is necessary to improve macro-economic processes from the point of view of gender. It will help solving many problems, including fight with poverty, and Georgia understands it properly.”

Tiina ILSEN, Head of ODIHR OSCE Gender Unit:
“Gender in economy is a complex of problems, that needs active work of different institutions, including non-governmental sector. Gender balance in economy is exactly what can protect women’s rights properly.”

Charita JASHI, Gender for Social-Economic Development, NGO, member of Coalition of Women’s NGOs of Georgia, economic expert of Gender and Policy in South Caucasus project:
“If we want to build a gender-balanced economy, we need to learn how to balance budgets of different levels so that they properly respond to the needs of both men and women.”

text, photo:
GenderMediaCaucasus Journalists’ Association

INITIATIVE TO INTRODUCE GENDER QUOTAS

Coalition collects signatures
to amend Elections Code of Georgia

March 22, 2008

It is necessary to collect about 30 thousand signatures to amend the Organic Law “On Political Unions of Citizens,” in order to balance number of women and men in pre-elections party lists. The initiative proposes introduction of a new norm: both genders should be presented in each two of candidates.

On March 19 the session of the parliament’s procedures committee  studied and registered this initiative. For details, please see the Parliament web-site (in Georgian):

http://www.parliament.ge/index.php?sec_id=298&info_id=18561&lang_id=GEO

On Tamar Abramishvili, Maya Kuprava, Nino Javakhishvili, Tsitso Bakuradze and Manana Mebuke are the initiators and signature collection organizaers on behalf of the Coalition. The Coalition is assumed to gather 30 thousand signatures in 45 days.

We call on our colleagues from the women’s movement of Georgia to join this work!

Maya Kuprava: maiakuprava@yahoo.com , 899 57 25 07
Tamar Abramishvili: tamar@caucasus.net , 899 33 75 08

Maya Kuprava:
“On June 24, 2006, Georgian parliament adopted the State Gender Equality Concept, which foresees principles and directions of equality, aimed at improving the legislation and its gender aspect. On September 26, 2007 the Georgian government approved the Action Plan on implementation of activities aimed establishing gender equality in 2007-2009, and one of the Action Plan’s goals is formation of legislative basis and improvement of legislation.”

Tamar Abramishvili:
“We believe that the introduction of amendments to the Elections Code could become a real step forward in implementing international obligations undertaken by Georgia. This could become a basis in forming ethical state policy of our country. This would be liked by not only the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, but also by European structures, that are of strategic importance for today’s Georgia.”

THE COALITION’S WORKING CONFERENCE

March 18, 2008

50 member organizations of the Coalition took part in the Conference, preceded by the reorganization aimed at forming new structure of the union.

March 18 meeting studied the reorganization work implemented by the initiative council of the member organizations:

• The Coalition’s new Platform of Actions and direction of work for 2008-2009;
• new structure of the Coalition.

The creation of these documents was based on consultations with the Coalition’s working groups, and the opinions of all member organizations willing to continue cooperation was considered.

Nino Shioshvili, Association of Assistance of Georgian Women in Employment Amagdari Tbilisi:
“The Coalition preserved its basic principle – equality. I hope that as the result of reorganization, our union gains strength and mobility; member organizations have huge experience of cooperation, they have good resources, high level of trust towards each other and a strong motivation to keep working together. I believe that we manage to influence our country’s policy in a more effective way, thus improving the status of women.”

Dzidzia Gudushauri, Woman and Health NGO, Tbilisi:
“None of unions can work without a precise structure and good internal discipline of cooperation. With the huge potential of our organizations, we can implement new, even more complicated tasks. It is especially important that we managed to set our priorities in the most detailed way.”

Tsovinar Nazarova, People’s Harmonious Development Association, Tbilisi:
“The renewed Coalition will make visible the work of women’s movement of Georgia; the movement is ready to reach particular goals.”

Anna Kikvadze, Network on protection of women and children against violence, regional committee, Kutaisi:
“I am sure that due to the election of the coordinating body, the Coalition Council, our work will become more visible and mobile.”

Roza Kukhalashvili, Abkhazia Autonomy Republic Women’s Council, Tbilisi:
“The Council was elected to be a managing body for meetings, we introduced membership fees, we defined our strategy more precisely. We agreed on payment of membership fees, but the amount will be depending on an organization’s experience and success. Newly created organizations will be paying less than others, but at the same time they will enjoy full rights of Coalition members. This initiative was proposed by stronger organizations that have a big experience and better financial status.”

Tamar Maisuradze, Network on protection of women and children against violence, regional committee, Mtskheta-Mtianeti:
“I was within the initiative group working at improvement of infrastructure and basic principles. It was quite a hard work, but I am glad that we fulfilled our duty and that the Coalition accepted our proposals. I hope that today’s Conference is the beginning of the new stage in the Coalition’s work.”

Svetlana Logua, Network on protection of women and children against violence, regional committee,  Ajara:
“There are no doubts that today’s meeting is very important for the beginning of the new stage. I think, we are launching a very effective system, and it is now up to us how successful it becomes. The actions of the new Council, which leads the entire Coalition, are very important now.”

Jilda Kharitonashvili, Network on protection of women and children against violence, regional committee, Kakheti:
“The network of regional women leaders has been cooperating with the Coalition for 7 years already; and now we became member organizations of the union. It is very important both for us and for the Coalition.”

Phati Kemoklidze, Network on protection of women and children against violence, regional committee, Racha:
“I was glad to see that e Conference was so dynamic and so business-like. I think it is time for more actions and less discussions now.”

Tamar Macharashvili, Children’s Harmonious Development Home, Tbilisi:
“I really hope for the productive work of the Council. A very good team was elected, and I think our work now will be very productive.” We preserved the main principle – aspiration to work in order to make our society more gender-balanced. The organizations have equal rights and opportunities and the new structure will coordinate their effective work.

More women at decision-making:
BE ACTIVE!

ACTION 2008, March, 7 – CaucAsia Magazine's special issue

Women make up to 53 percent of Georgian population, they have high education status, good professional skills, they are active in economy and social life. However, there are less than 10 percent of women in the national parliament, there is only one female minister in the country, and there are no women among governors. Among 1750 Sakrebulo (local self-government bodies) staffed after 2006 elections, only 195 women (11 percent) were elected. There is a strange contradiction: from one hand, Georgian women have to be economically and socially active in order to earn money for their families; from the other hand, women do not have their representatives in authorities in order to protect their interests.

Four years ago, nine organizations of Women’s NGO Coalition of Georgia united together to work out national Concept on Gender Equality. Women’s NGOs and networks, international experts, and state representatives were involved in this work. The Concept on Gender Equality was adopted by Georgian parliament in 2006.

To launch the Concept’s work, it was necessary to form the National Action Plan on Gender Equality, and governmental Commission on Gender Equality was set up to work out the Action Plan. The governmental commission includes deputy ministers and four independent experts, all representing Coalition of Women’s NGOs of Georgia. In 2007, Georgian parliament approved the national Action Plan for the period of 2007 - 2009.

These documents represent the basics, needed to be developed at all levels and at different spectrums. Upcoming parliamentary elections is one of them.

It is necessary to:

• IMPROVE elections legislation.
• ENABLE free and dynamic elections activeness of female electorate.
• ACTIVATE women candidates, raise their motivation and strengthen their political skills.
• PROMOTE strengthening of inter-party democracy.

ON THE THRESHOLD OF THE HOLIDAY OF WOMEN’S SOLIDARITY

Women’s NGOs of Georgia urged their colleagues and representatives of all social institutes to support women’s participation in decision-making at all levels

SPECIAL INFORMATION CAMPAIGN WAS HELD IN TBILISI AND REGIONS OF GEORGIA ON MARCH 7

More women at decision-making:

BE ACTIVE!

GenderMediaCaucasus Journalists’ Association:
text, photos

NGOs FROM WOMEN COALITION OF GEORGIA:
MATERNITY SHOULD NOT BE AN OBSTACLE TO PROFESSIONAL GROWTH

March 3 is the national holiday, the Mother’s Day in Georgia. It is another occasion to think about what does being a mother in Georgia mean, and what are the problems Georgian mothers face

About 42-45 thousand babies are born in Georgia annually. Before 1991, this index was twice higher. The number of women who dare to become mothers reduces, especially for the families already having children. According to statistics, an average Georgian woman gives birth to 1.4 babies. This index is lower than that needed for numerical change of generations.

The state considers that the fight against poverty could be the best solution; the national poverty reduction program aims at aiding 14-16 percent of population - those living beyond the poverty line. There is also the state program on aiding the families with many children; it is focused on the families with at least 7 children aged younger than 18. These are two major national programs finances by the state budget.

Besides this, there are several initiatives and projects implemented at the level of local authorities; there is a program of social benefits; and there is a presidential decision on granting GEL 1 thousand to a newborn in the families living beyond the poverty line. The families of this category are also subject to receiving medical insurances (issued by private insurance companies in Tbilisi and Kutaisi, and by state companies in other towns of Georgia). All these initiatives are aimed at reducing poverty and at supporting the most vulnerable families.

But there is no particular program aimed to support maternity in Georgia. According to experts’ estimates, alike program is of vital importance for the country. Working both at their working places and at homes, women have double obligations; in many families women are the only bread-winners. Many of women’s NGOs in Georgia, members of NGO Coalition, underline that the state needs to consider women’s status at the labor market as well as the particular qualities of women’s professional career; the state should be protecting women from discrimination and unfair treatment at work. In order to increase motivation for maternity, it is necessary to think about the actions aimed at helping women to share their work in the family and at their working place. Maternity should not be an obstacle to professional growth.

March 3, 2008

GenderMediaCaucasus Journalists’ Association