MRA presents gender equality strategy and action plan in Samegrelo
Date: Thursday, July 27, 2017
The Ministry of Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied Territories, Accommodation and Refugees of Georgia (MRA) presented its Gender Equality Strategy and Action Plan to representatives from civil society and women's NGOs at the Zugdidi Center for Civic Engagement in Samegrelo region.

Representatives from civil society and women's NGOs in Zugdidi discuss MRA gender equality strategy and action plan; Photo: UN Women
Ms. Natia Khaindrava, Gender Adviser to the Minister, presented the MRA Gender Equality Strategy and Action Plan, underlining progress, best practices and challenges of the Ministry in the implementation process. Women attending the meeting singled out the need for improved communication with the MRA. "Communication is key for us. Receiving a timely response from the Ministry should not be a problem," noted Tsitsino Bibilaia of Community Fund Egrisi. The meeting participants also raised the issue of the MRA hotline number, which is not toll-free; thus, IDPs are often unable to contact the MRA due to the high cost of mobile communications in Georgia. Ms. Khaindrava promised to follow up on the issue with the Minister.
The meeting participants agreed to hold regular meetings with the participation of the MRA, local government, NGOs and IDP women in order to improve communication about MRA and local government programmes and services.