In the words of Giulnara Elizbarian: “Even one woman’s voice can drive change”
Giulnara Elizbarian, 60, lives in the village of Kartikami in Akhalkalaki Municipality. She has a spouse, three children and seven grandchildren. Giulnara is actively engaged in a UN Women–supported community mobilization initiative, implemented in partnership with the TASO Foundation in Akhalkalaki since 2019 under the regional project “Women’s Economic Empowerment in the South Caucasus”, generously funded by the Governments of Austria and Switzerland. Since 2023, this initiative has continued through the project “Women’s Increased Leadership for Democracy in Georgia”, supported by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation. Women’s self-help groups operating in Akhalkalaki Municipality bring together more than 90 members. Giulnara is among them, working alongside other women to identify and address key challenges in her village.
Date:
“I was 17 when I got married and moved from my village of Khulgumo to Kartikami. I found myself in a different, more closed environment with strict traditions. However, the warmth of the people helped me adapt quickly to the new reality. Because I married early, I was unable to get vocational or higher education. I was mostly occupied with domestic work, but I always dreamed of having a more active life beyond the household and of contributing more to my village.
Joining the social mobilization initiative was a turning point for me. I learned about the project five years ago and immediately became interested. It was an opportunity to pursue my dream - how could I say no? I was in Tbilisi when I decided to join the project. I remember coming across a tree-shaped brooch in one of the shops. When I saw it, I thought about how wonderful it would be to grow and flourish like this tree. That brooch truly became a symbol of my personal growth.
Through social mobilization, trainings and educational activities, I - like many other women - have changed how we view our abilities and civic responsibilities and have learned about our rights. Where we once hesitated to speak, we now understand that expressing our opinions is not only possible but necessary. Kartikami is a large village; therefore, we have many challenges. Members of the self-help group meet regularly to discuss and address them. We also have a common space—a community hall donated by a young fellow villager—where we gather to celebrate various events, host village visitors and hold meetings.
By the way, village meetings in Kartikami show how empowered women have become. We used to be only listeners, but after social mobilization we started taking part - discussing local needs and making meetings practical and results‑oriented. People now recognize that when women speak up at village assemblies it benefits the whole community. Previously many women faced restrictions and even had to reassure their families about attending trainings; in recent years those barriers have been steadily easing.
Our collective efforts have already delivered results. As members of self‑help group, we consulted villagers while working on community initiatives and agreed to install a cooling system in the hall where we meet. It was something we all genuinely needed and wanted.
Our initiatives also enjoy the support of the local government and we are respected as active businesswomen. My experience shows that a single woman’s voice can be decisive in community development: Even one woman’s voice can drive change.”