Public Defender is concerned about the sexist video that went viral in the social media after it was transmitted in the program “Flat 18” on GDS Television. Association of woman’s body with musical instrument is humiliating and degrading not only for the women participating in the program, but also for the whole society. Assessment of woman by her physical and biological characteristics, her objectification and representation as a “thing” constitutes sexism, which can have devastating implications for the state of women's rights in Georgia.

Today, when there is a high rate of violence against women in Georgia, women daily experience oppression and unequal treatment in different areas of life, become victims of stereotypes and sexist prejudices in the society, are not able to break silence and talk about violence, fear and discrimination which they suffer, it is crucial to change these existing attitudes and not to reinforce them. The role of media and civil society is extremely important in achieving this goal.

Television is the major and primary source of information for almost all segments of the population. Therefore, in view of big influence and role of media in the process of raising public awareness and spreading information, it is important that dissemination of information does not lead to strengthening of stereotypes and encouraging violence against women and incitement to objectification of women. The very opposite shall be true: we see the crucial role of media in the improvement of the state of women's rights. It is important that they use all the means for the real implementation of this responsibility.

It is important that media outlets promote the role of women by showing their creative potential, express respect for the work and enormous contribution that women are making for the democratic development, strengthening of principles of fairness and equality in the country.

Public Defender urges all media outlets to take into account women's rights situation in Georgia, high rate of violence against women and unequal treatment against them in different fields of life and to foster raising of public awareness, establishing a zero tolerance in the society against broadcasting the content that is offensive to women, against issues of violence against women and to stop dissemination of sexism.