Government of Georgia joins the global campaign 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence
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The Government of Georgia joins the world in commemorating the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, observed annually from 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, to 10 December, Human Rights Day.
Various governmental agencies will be conducting up to 50 thematic events within the framework of the campaign. While 13 different state agencies are engaged in marking the 16 Days of Activism, all campaign events are conducted under one overarching theme - that ending violence against women and girls (VAWG) is a national priority and that the Government of Georgia is committed to supporting victims and holding perpetrators accountable.
“While the 16 Days of Activism has been observed in Georgia for many years, the 2018 campaign is different in the sense that this year, the Government takes full ownership over the initiative to get the message across that combating violence against women is a top priority,” noted Sopo Japaridze, Assistant to the Prime Minister on Human Rights and Gender Equality Issues and Chair of the Inter-Agency Commission on Gender Equality, Violence against Women and Domestic Violence. “We work with our partners to strengthen legal frameworks and institutions, to improve services for victims and to address the root causes of violence by challenging the social norms and behaviors that reinforce violence towards women.”
The range of events conducted by the Government of Georgia focuses on promoting zero tolerance for VAWG and increasing awareness of the laws and services available for the survivors. The events are held across different regions of Georgia and feature a social media campaign with special logos and hashtags - such as #GeorgiaAgainstVAW, #endingVAWisajointresponsibility, #GeorgiaCares and others - that were designed by the Government for this occasion. In addition, upwards of 30 local municipalities across the country have joined the central government’s initiative via social media to popularize the services available for survivors and to promote zero tolerance around the issue.
The campaign is implemented in line with the National EVAW Communication Strategy and Action Plan developed and adopted in 2018 by the Inter-Agency Commission on Gender Equality, Violence against Women and Domestic Violence with the support of UN Women and the European Union. Both documents set a framework of action for line ministries and state agencies engaged in the national response against VAW in order to promote zero tolerance on VAWG and increase awareness of services available for the victims/survivors.