The Government intends to improve inter-agency coordination
Date:
The Inter-Agency Commission on Gender Equality, Violence against Women and Domestic Violence convened for its routine meeting on 1 February 2019.
The meeting opened with welcoming remarks from the Assistant to the Prime Minister on Human Rights and Gender Equality Issues and the Chair of the Inter-Agency Commission, Sopo Japaridze.
Sopo Japaridze presented the Commission's annual report and discussed achievements and challenges within the previous year. “It is critical to have an agreed understanding of what was already done and what are the remaining priorities for the coming years. Coordinated work of all relevant agencies and local municipalities in charge of the implementation of the Action Plans is key for achieving the set goals”, Ms Japaridze noted.
Irine Pruidze, member of the Gender Equality Council of the Parliament of Georgia, presented the annual report of the Council and its planned activities, which include renewal of the concept of gender equality and the relevant amendments to the legislation.
Members of the Commission discussed certain activities defined by the National Action Plans, as well as ongoing and planned measures to be taken in relation to gender equality, women's empowerment, violence against women and domestic violence. In particular, representatives of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia, the Ministry of Refugees, Labour, Health and Social Affairs, and the State Fund for Protection and Assistance of (Statutory) Victims of Human Trafficking presented information on updating the national referral mechanism, furthering the sustainability and efficiency of the LEPL Social Service Agency, introducing a GPS ankle bracelet monitoring system for VAWG/DV perpetrators, and improving the performance of the Status Identification Group.
The Inter-Agency Commission also discussed the engagement of civil society organizations in the meetings of the Commission, establishment of a cooperation platform with local municipalities and future activities of the Commission related to submitting reports to various international bodies.
The meeting brought together members of the Commission and representatives of the international organizations.
The Inter-Agency Commission on Gender Equality, Violence against Women and Domestic Violence was established in June 2017 with advocacy and technical support from UN Women and other UN agencies, with the mandate to steer effective implementation of policy and action on gender equality, violence against women and domestic violence. It unites representatives of line ministries and state agencies engaged in the implementation of National Action Plans on gender equality and women’s empowerment.