The Radisson Blu Iveria Hotel hosts the presentation of the one-year results of Gender Equality Action Plan for 2014-2016, opened by the Vice-Speaker, the Chair of Gender Equality Council, Mrs. Manana Kobakhidze.

As she stated, the active discussions are being held with the representatives of the Government concerning the changes related to development, endorsement and monitoring of the Action Plan. “We think that the APs shall be developed and endorsed by the Government and as to the Parliament, it shall maintain the authorities under the Constitution, law and the Rules of Procedure – general monitoring, oversight and control over the activity in gender equality sphere, implemented by the Government by means of the Ministries and other agencies, or improvement of institutional mechanism and reforming are already onset”.

She spoke about the legislative changes adopted with the I reading envisaging set up of the GECs in local City Councils. “The change concerns set up of the institutional mechanism on municipal level, which is one of the tasks of the GEP AC. I am glad that this obligation is in fact implemented at present as we will soon adopt the changes with the II and III readings and we will have local GECs in all the municipalities and cities responsible on gender equality policy and development of the recommendations to be submitted to the Chairs of the City Councils and Governors. The particular person shall be assigned in the City Boards to work on gender equality issues and it will be the step forward”.

It is important that this meeting coincides with the 60^th session of the UN Commission on Status of Women held in NY. “It is very important that on behalf of Georgian Government was made the statement on international forum. It was assumption of responsibility for improvement of state policy on gender equality. I think, our response to the agenda of sustainable development for 2030 and to the 5^th objective of the agenda is very important, concerning gender equality, elimination of violence against women, strengthening of women and their active participation in political life on decision-making level”. In this regards, we have some gaps.

As she noted, 12% representation of women in the Parliament fails to meet the requirement recognized in the world. “As you know, we have made the political statement when GEC initiated the draft on mandatory quotation. Unfortunately, we failed to achieve consensus so far between the Coalition parties. This is the issue to be adopted with consensus otherwise the changes will be impossible. However, speaking of quotation, solution of this issue by GEC and active efforts by NGOs already positively resulted when some political parties, including the Coalition parties and the opposition parties actively speak that they will observe the inter-party quotes. We, the Georgian Dream, the Coalition subjects speak that in the next convocation, women representation shall be improved”.

She thanked UN Georgia Office and its agencies: UNDP, UN Women, UNFPA for active cooperation with the Parliament. She also thanked the executive authorities, civil society and donor organizations. “I would like to particularly underline donor organizations, namely the Government of Sweden and SIDA and to express my gratitude for their particular financial support and partnership, without which this project would be impossible”.

The Deputy-Head of UNDP, Shombi Sharp addressed the attendees. “ We are glad that gender equality is the priority for Georgian Government. The significant progress is evident in terms of new laws and regulations and also in regards of improvement of coordination between the Government, international organizations and civil society. Now it is time to make every project reality – introduce more women in politics and business granting them with equal working conditions and salaries. The world experience proves that real equality is beneficial not only for women but it enhances their families, thus reflecting on development of the country”.

The UNDP expert, Irina Zhvania introduced the presentation on the one-year implementation of the GE AC for 2014-2015. The report concluded information about events and drafts in 2015 facilitating to gender equality in political economic and social lives in Georgia.

Mrs. Kobakhidze made the comment: “We shall resume the work implemented within the action plan by various Governmental agencies and we think that we achieved some progress. It is important that we restricted minor marriage on the legislative level and it was recognized as progress at UN forum. We also criminalized forced marriage, which was the requirement by the Committee on Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women and which is important in terms of Istanbul Convention. We get ready for ratification of this document. It is important that we adopted the law with the I reading, concerning set up of gender equality institutional mechanism on municipal level. The legislative changes on prohibition of domestic violence are also very important, allowing municipal units to be active involved in rehabilitation of victims within their authorities. In view of public awareness, we implement training modules in every agency of executive branch and especially in educational instances. We have the progress in penitentiary terms as well. As you know, significant steps were made in regards with protection of rights of female inmates concerning the visits, employment etc. We think that the country will have some positive after accomplishment of 3-year plan in legislative and practical terms”.

The event was organized by Gender Equality Council, UNDP and Swedish Government. The presentation was attended by the representatives of the Government, Parliament, international organizations and civil society.