Region-specific solutions on combating violence against women in focus

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Within the framework of the “Unite to Fight Violence against Women”, UN Women is working with local stakeholders in Guria to develop tailored, region-specific solutions on ending violence against women.
Ozurgeti municipality; Photo: Ekaterine Mgeladze
Ozurgeti municipality; Photo: Ekaterine Mgeladze
In order to gain first-hand understanding of the region-specific context, develop tailored solutions and ensure a coordinated approach, UN Women is conducting a series of consultations in both project target regions of the EU-funded action “Unite to Fight Violence against Women” - Guria and Qvemo Qartli; On August 10, 2017 UN Women representatives visited Guria and met with local stakeholders, including representatives of the local government, civil society organizations and Public Defender’s Office (PDO) to discuss local needs, priorities and partnership opportunities.

Strengthening the role of local governments in the national response to violence against women, increasing monitoring and oversight functions of PDO’s regional bureau and developing partnerships with local NGOs and CBOs were among highlight topics discussed during the consultation meetings. Another important item on the agenda was the establishment of a crisis center for the survivors of violence against women and domestic violence in Ozurgeti – a venture to be implemented jointly by UN Women and the State Fund for the Protection and Assistance of Victims of Human Trafficking and Domestic Violence in partnership with the Ozurgeti municipality. During the meeting with UN Women, Deputy Gamgebeli of the Ozurgeti Municipality, Mr. Giorgi Gurjumelidze stressed the local government of Ozurgeti is “committed to contribute to ending violence against women” especially in light of the recent legislative amendments encouraging the local governments to promote gender equality and combat violence against women within their constituencies.

“Considering the absence of specialized services for the survivors of violence against women and domestic violence in the region, we are very much looking forward to the establishment of the crisis center. We believe, that the awareness-raising and capacity-building interventions planned under the project will significantly contribute to the increased disclosure of and a more efficient response to the instances of violence against women in Guria” - said Ms. Ana Gakhokidze, regional gender equality specialist under the PDO’s Gender Equality Department.

The findings and evidence captured via regional consultation meetings in project target regions will inform UN Women’s work to design custom-made program interventions in Guria and Qvemo Qartli throughout the project lifespan. Interventions include but are not limited to enhancing service provision systems for the victims/survivors of violence against women, capacity development of service providers, raising awareness and promoting zero tolerance to violence against women and girls.