The Vice-Speaker, the Chair of Gender Equality Council, Manana Kobakhidze participated in the 60th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women held in New York. The topic of the session was “Enhancement of the Role of Women and their Role in the Process of Sustainable Development”.

The Commission estimated the progress of implementation of the conclusions adopted on the 59th session concerning elimination and prevention of all forms of discrimination to women and girls.

Georgian Delegation was composed of the Assistant to the Prime Minister on Human Right and Gender Equality Issues, Sofio Japaridze, the Chair of CEC, Tamar Zhvania and the representatives of Women Informational Center of Georgia.

Mrs. Kobakhidze delivered the speech and spoke about strengthening of women in Georgia, their political involvement, combating violence and the state strategy. “It is high honor for me to take the floor at this podium and to participate in the discussion concerning the priority issue of the event – strengthening of women and links with sustainable development. At that, I would like to express my gratitude to the Chair and Bureau of UN Commission on Status of Women for organization of this event and let me underline support of UN Women Organization and Secretariat in the 60th session. First of all, let me hail the agenda of Sustainable Development Goals for 2030, especially adoption of the 5th objective, envisaging gender equality and strengthening of women and girls. We strongly believe that sustainable development is impossible without strengthening of women and elimination of violence against them. That’s why our number one task is to declare severe struggle against medicine trials, forced marriage, trafficking, sexual exploitation of women, discrimination according to gender and other expression of discrimination. We aspire to prevent violence in the offices, universities, schools and other public agencies, as well as in the families. Correspondingly, Georgia intensively works to develop strategy and action plan oriented to elimination violence. Signing of Istanbul Convention last year is one more step in this direction”.

The number of important meetings and events were held during the session period, including the exhibition in the GA premise concerning the UN #1325 Resolution on Women, Peace and Security, once more emphasizing occupation of our country and rights of IDP women.

Mrs. Kobakhidze, with participation of NDI and Madeleine Albright in person, participated in the conference aiming at protection of rights of female politicians and international campaign in this term.

The bilateral meeting was held between M. Kobakhidze, Assistant to the Prime Minister and representatives of UN Women Organization. The reforms in Georgia were positively evaluated, namely criminalization of forced marriage, prohibition of early marriage, state strategy against violence etc.

Mrs. Kobakhidze was invited to the international organization organized by the Head of WHO NY Office concerning hazard impact of household emissions and unhealthy energy resources to health of women and children.

“I was proud that we, two Georgian ladies had the floor at this important international forum to speak about the global problems… I would like to thank everyone trying to represent our country, especially our Ambassador, Kakha Imnadze and our Representation to NY. I hope we can change the rights of women for better in our country and all the women, including women politicians will be protected from assaults, insults, blackmail and violence! Our country deserves it! I would like to once again confirm loyalty to Beijing Declaration and aspiration of the Action Platform and commitment of Georgia to resolutely continue implementation of obligations under CEDAW, ICCPR and UN Resolution N1325. We strongly believe that the state policy on strengthening of women and girls on the level of facilitation to gender equality will contribute particular mite in sustainable development”, - M. Kobakhidze noted.

UN Commission annual session will be accomplished on March 24.