On November 21, 2016, Melanie Verveer, Special Representative of the OSCE Chairmanship-in-Office on Gender Issues, visited the Public Defender's Office of Georgia.

During the meeting, Deputy Public Defender Ekaterine Skhiladze spoke about the Public Defender’s mandate and the activities of the Public Defender’s Office in the field of gender equality. The Public Defender’s role and capacities were underlined in the field of violence against women and domestic violence. The meeting was also attended by Ana Lobzhanidze, senior specialist of the Public Defender’s Department of Gender Equality.

Other issues of discussion were: legislative challenges in terms of violence against women and domestic violence, women's political participation, women's engagement in peace-building processes and the stereotypes existed in the society concerning the woman's role.