Georgian Rugby Union Leadership Recommits to Promoting Zero Tolerance to Violence against Women

UN Women Representative, Erika Kvapilova, the President of Georgian Rugby Union (GRU) in Tbilisi and Vice-president of the European Rugby Union, George Nizharadze and National Team Chief Coach, Milton Haig, expressed their continuous commitment to partnering to promote zero tolerance of violence against women and girls (VAWG).

Since 2011, the partnership has been raising awareness about VAWG and domestic violence and their causes and consequences; especially targeting boys and men. A new phase of a joint public campaign to end VAWG, supported by the Government of Sweden within the framework of a UN Joint Programme, will be launched in Georgia in early October.

 “Violence against women has no space in Georgian society”, said Nizharadze. Milton Haig reiterated that the National Team is ready to use any opportunity, in Georgia or abroad, to promote women’s rights and denounce any form of violence against women and girls.

The press conference took place to see off the Georgian National Rugby Team, who are traveling to the International Rugby World Cup, hosted by England in September. UN Women provided players with sport bags with the logo of the UN Secretary General's global campaign 'UNiTE to End Violence Against Women', as well as information and educational materials promoting zero tolerance of VAWG. UN Women wish their champions success and a happy return home.