Georgian Bar Association Training Center takes initiative to empower domestic violence survivors
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Two long-standing partners of UN Women - the Georgian Bar Association (GBA) and the Georgian Women’s Employment Association Amagdari - will join forces to empower domestic violence survivors.
The non-governmental organization Women’s Employment Association Amagdari, which supports survivors of domestic violence with socioeconomic rehabilitation and integration, was recently approached by the GBA Training Center with an initiative to support Amagdari beneficiaries in receiving high-quality legal education, raising their legal awareness and supporting them as they gain professional legal skills.
On 20 September 2017, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the representatives of Amagdari and the GBA Training Center for an unlimited period of time delineating a framework for future cooperation. Under the MoU, survivors of domestic violence will have the opportunity to participate in the seminars and trainings organized by the GBA Training Center as well as the preparatory courses for bar exams free of charge.
“The existence of shelters and relevant services for survivors is very important, but just escaping violence is not a solution to the problem,” notes Nino Shioshvili, director of Amagdari. “It is no less important to make women self-confident and improve their professional skills. Initiatives like the one presented by the GBA can be instrumental for bringing real changes to the lives of survivors.”
The initiative’s first 3 beneficiaries have already been identified. They will participate in trainings organized by the GBA Training Center and in the preparatory courses for bar exams, and their training will start by the end of September.
“I would like to express my gratitude to the GBA and Amagdari for offering this opportunity,” conveyed one of the beneficiaries who preferred to remain anonymous. “Improvement of my professional skills is of paramount importance to me as it will allow me not only to safeguard my rights but also to support other survivors in asserting their rights and achieving justice.”
The Georgian Bar Association and the Georgian Women’s Employment Association Amagdari are long-standing partners of UN Women in the framework of the UN Joint Programme for Gender Equality (funded by the Government of Sweden and implemented by UNDP, UNFPA and UN Women).