In June 2025, employees of the Gender Department of the Public Defender's Office of Georgia, Sopio Rusetski, Gvantsa Kharatishvili and Nino Iakobidze, together with representative of the Regional Department of the Public Defender's Office, Andranik Baghdasaryan, held meetings with representatives of the municipalities (City Hall/City Council) of Samtskhe-Javakheti, as well as with women living in rural areas.

During the meetings, representatives of the Public Defender's Office spoke about the activities of the Gender Department, discussed the situation of women's rights in the country, and heard from local government representatives and women living in rural areas about the achievements and challenges in the region.

According to information received during the meetings, women's participation in decision-making processes is still problematic in a number of municipalities of Samtskhe-Javakheti due to stereotypical views regarding the role of women. In addition, a particular concern of most women living in rural areas is access to transport, which complicates their economic participation and access to basic services.

The Gender Department of the Public Defender's Office of Georgia continues to hold meetings in the regions on the topic of women's rights.