Conflict-affected women and men share real-life problems with government representatives
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The Office of the State Minister for Reconciliation and Civic Equality together with the State Security Service decided to extend the geographical coverage of information-sharing meetings.
The meetings on the outcomes of the Geneva International Discussions (GID) and Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism (IPRM) are conducted in a number of villages adjacent to the Administrative Boundary Lines (ABLs). This decision is a response to the recommendations generated by the Public Defender of Georgia and NGO Women’s Information Center in their independent monitoring reports on the implementation of the Government of Georgia’s 2016-2017 National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security.
Initiated by UN Women in 2013, these information-sharing meetings on the outcomes of the GID/IPRM have become a well-established platform for regular dialogue between IDP and conflict-affected women and government representatives. The responsibility for organizing and hosting the consultation meetings has been shifted to the Government; however, UN Women continues to provide technical support to the relevant state agencies.
On 10 August 2018, residents from the ABL-adjacent village of Perevi (Imereti region) and residents from the neighbouring villages shared their concerns with state officials.
Along with GID/IPRM updates, during the meeting, the government representatives emphasized the importance of the people living in the ABL villages, their understanding of the difficulties the villagers face and their eagerness to do their best to address said difficulties. The participants, in turn, shared their social, economic and security concerns and advocated that the priorities of the ABL villages be voiced at IPRM discussions and reflected in the future work of state institutions. Some of the main issues raised by the women and men included the lack of access to public transportation, the shortage of potable water, the issues related to loss of property and registration, the separation of family members and the lack of economic opportunities.
“The Government is currently working on the State Strategy on ABL villages. Our office, together with the State Security Service, will do its best to put forward the recommendations raised during this meeting at the discussion of the State Strategy, for their eventual incorporation.” stated Zviad Zviadadze, representative of the Office of the State Minister for Reconciliation and Civic Equality.
UN Women plans to further support the Office of the State Minister in reaching out to more women and men in ABL villages, particularly the villages of Ergneti (Shida Kartli region) and Khurcha (Samegrelo region) in 2018.