Care-friendly workplaces in focus at Forbes Women Conference

UN Women is actively working to promote care-friendly workplaces and is using a number of interesting platforms to do so. One such opportunity was the Forbes Women Conference, which brought together women professionals, leaders and innovators from various fields in Tbilisi on 7 March 2026.

As part of the event, UN Women held a workshop for private sector representatives titled ‘Is My Company Care-Friendly?’ The initiative aimed to raise awareness among participants about care-friendly workplaces and encourage positive change in their organizations.

During the interactive session, attendees were introduced to important statistical data on time use and attitudes towards gender equality in Georgia. They also learned about the impact of family care responsibilities on employee productivity and loyalty to the work environment, discussed practices in their own companies and in the labour market in general, and reviewed flexible work models, parental leave, remote work schedules and other mechanisms that help employees combine care and work responsibilities.

“The topics and data presented made me see reality even more clearly. It made me think about the difficulties that women often face in both their professional and personal lives. Particularly significant were the discussions on issues such as women’s opportunities for self-realization, unappreciated work, difficulties in career advancement, and the challenges that many of us face when combining motherhood and professional development. The meeting once again convinced me of the need for having conversations and active discussions on these topics, raising awareness, and strengthening equal opportunities in society,” said Keso Bigvava, Marketing Manager at Crystal Group, whose company operates in the construction, development and hospitality sectors, after the meeting.

In parallel with the UN Women workshop, the Forbes Women Conference this year gave women the opportunity to share a number of interesting experiences: The first part of the event was dedicated to short, dynamic presentations. The speakers told the guests about the path they have taken and talked about the challenges that led to their success. The second part of the Forbes Women Conference was dedicated to panel discussions on leadership and future decisions. In general, the event and its diverse activities are a helpful platform for acquiring and disseminating new knowledge. Keso Bigvava says that she will definitely use this opportunity in her professional and everyday life. “Each person can contribute to creating a more equal environment, whether it is supporting fair opportunities in the workplace or developing a critical approach to gender stereotypes established in society,” she notes.

UN Women will continue to promote awareness-raising and discussion around care-supportive work environments.