The Public Defender of Georgia traditionally joins the 16 Days of Activism againstGender-BasedViolence, a global campaign aimed at raising public awareness of gender-based violence.

Despite the steps forward, violence against women and domestic violence remain one of the main challenges in our country, which is reinforced by harmful social norms, tolerance of violence and gender stereotypes.

The Public Defender, within the framework of his mandate, has been exploring the most acute cases of violence against women, including femicide, for years. The killings of women in the family are frequent and children have repeatedly witnessed these tragedies.

Women of all ages and social backgrounds become victims of violence, but the barriers that girls, rural women, women with disabilities, ethnic minorities, displaced women, and conflict-affected women face in their journey to escape violence are particularly notable.

Many women endure domestic violence due to their lack of economic independence, which is why it is essential for central and local governments to take effective steps to empower women economically, improve existing services, and provide long-term support to victims, including by addressing women’s needs in legislation, policy, and practice.

In addition, the Public Defender considers it essential to deepen cooperation with civil society, which can make a significant contribution to protecting, assisting, and empowering women’s rights.

The Public Defender calls on relevant state bodies, in cooperation with civil society, to work with full effort to improve preventive measures, legislation, and practice against domestic violence and violence against women.