2020-03-04
"Despite stereotypes, progress is visible in women's political engagement. More women hold public offices and participate in elections today than at any point in history, which is commendable, of course. Georgia also boasts a growth trend. Since 1992, when women made up 6% of Parliament, their representation grew to 15% by 2016-quite an achievement, though it will take another 95 years at this pace to have equal representation. And that is something we cannot afford, because we are a part of the global family that wants equal representation by 2030. Consequently, we must hurry up and take concrete steps toward enhancing women's political participation, and work on cutting and preventing violence against women during elections and in politics," the Prime Minister's Human Rights and Gender Equality Adviser Lela Akiashvili stated at today's high-level meeting on the prevention of violence against women during elections and in politics. The event was held at the Biltmore Tbilisi Hotel.
According to Akiashvili, women's political empowerment builds on economic and social empowerment. Accordingly, the Gender Commission of the Human Rights Council is working on such issues as economic empowerment, gender equality mainstreaming, introduction of accountability mechanisms against sexual harassment, data collection, elimination of poor practices, and others.
As Lela Akiashvili pointed out in her today's speech, women's engagement in politics accountability mechanisms and enhance the quality of policymaking. When it comes to women's political participation, awareness-raising is of particular importance, she added.
"On one hand, public demand for women's political participation must be grow, naturally followed by greater supply and a higher quality of policymaking. On the other, that will help women break through the glass ceiling and engage in active decision-making," the Prime Minister's Human Rights and Gender Equality Adviser emphasized.
In her remarks during a panel discussion, Lela Akiashvili underlined the last two months' femicide statistics. According to Akiashvili, relevant legislation has grown stricter over the past few years, and the Gender Commission of the Human Rights Council is presently cooperating with various agencies toward in-depth analysis of what services and approaches are necessary to eliminate this important problem.
"The law has become tougher in the course of the past few years, and now gender-based crimes are considered aggravated offenses. Systems for monitoring violent offenders, risk assessment, and enforcement of restraining orders have also been put in place. In addition, violations of restriction orders have decreased drastically in numbers, though it is clear that the situation is outside the Interior Ministry's purview, and it requires coordinated action from all agencies," the Prime Minister's Human Rights and Gender Equality Adviser emphasized.
Organized by the UN gender theme group, the high-level meeting was attended by representatives of Georgian Parliament, political parties, diplomatic corps, and NGOs, and independent politicians, international development partners, and ambassadors.
As Kelly Degnan, US Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Georgia, emphasized in her speech at the panel discussion, Georgia impresses with the numbers of women politicians and decision-makers, which is a step forward, though more must be done.
"Women's political participation must become a norm. And that takes time and success stories, which Georgia already does have." The US Ambassador said.
The same issue was also discussed by EU Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Georgia Carl Hartzell.
"The EU believes fully and wholeheartedly that there will be more women in politics. And that will benefit both the EU member states and Georgia. Our hope and goal is to have women's presentation in the next Parliament at a 16% level," Carl Hartzell said.
As British Ambassador Justin McKenzie Smith underlined, all political leaders must exhibit zero tolerance toward violence and discrimination against women.
"The British Government, together with NDI, supports Georgia, and we want further to empower women candidates for the 2020 parliamentary elections," Justin McKenzie Smith said.
Smith also pointed out that, as early as 1919, the Constituent Assembly of the Democratic Republic of Georgia included five women members, an inspiration of sorts for generations to come.
UN Resident Coordinator in Georgia Sabine Machl, in her comments for the media, stated that the high-level meeting discussed international experience and best practices in combatting violence against women in politics and elections, a widespread global problem.
The meeting sought to raise awareness of this issue and to encourage political parties to take necessary measures to prevent and eliminate said problem.
Press Service of the Government Administration