Ombudsman on Gender inequality
By Natalie Osipovi
Tuesday, November 26
Violence against women is a violation of their fundamental human rights, an affront to human dignity and a serious threat to women’s health and well-being. It impedes their civic engagement and role in development; it generates instability and makes peace harder to achieve.
In order to stop this shameful tendency, in 1999 the General Assembly of the United Nations established The International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on November 25th. This year on November 25th, a campaign against gender violence begins which will last for 16 days, until December 10th (International Human Rights Day). This campaign is global.
The Public Defender of Georgia, Ucha Nanuashvili, has spoken of his support for this campaign. In 2013 a Gender Equality Department was established at the Ombudsman’s Office. This department promotes gender equality in Georgia. The Ombudsman's Office is the only one state institution which has ensured gender equality, Nanuashvili adds.
As part of the global campaign against gender violence, USAID and the Public Defender’s Office will host regional trainings about gender issues and the fight against violence in 10 towns in Georgia: Marneuli, Sagarejo, Telavi, Rustavi, Gori, Akhaltsikhe, Kutaisi, Zugdidi, Batumi and Ozurgeti.
On Monday, Nanuashvili commented that despite some positive changes in recent years, gender inequality remains a major issue in Georgia. The level of domestic violence and abuse of women’s rights is still high.
The Public Defender has appealed to other government agencies to reduce gender violence and strengthen protection for victims.
"We call on Parliament to pay more attention and to take more effective steps towards the ratification of the Convention of Human Rights, which will strengthen legal mechanisms in the fight against gender violence in Georgia." Nanuashvili said.
