A recent meeting held in the Ajara region of Georgia discussed Measures to enhance women’s participation in Georgian Politics and Public life. This significant meeting was attended by representatives of various political parties, female organisations, female public officials, and municipal councils of the Autonomous Republic of Ajara.
This meeting was held on 12-13 December 2023.Women from diverse political party groups from the Ajara region participated in a workshop aiming at boosting necessary knowledge and skills to increse decision-making in political and public life . They discuss in detail the role of women in next year’s parliament elections.
Women politicians of leading political groups join the meeting. These groups include Georgian Dream, United National Movement, Girchi, For Georgia, Lelo, and Strategy Agmashenebil, as well as women holding public positions at the High Council of the Autonomous Republic of Ajara and legislative bodies of municipalities (Sakrebulo), representatives from local gender councils and party women’s organisations that actively contributed to the lively exchange of valuable thoughts with each other.
On this occasion Participants discussed in detail the main principles enshrined in the Council of Europe’s legal and policy instruments on gender equality and women empowerment and balanced participation of women and men in political and public decision making.
At the same time, focus was also given to the respective Recommendation (Rec (2003)3) of the Committee of Ministers. Women politicians exchanged among other things thoughts to support measures and good practices to promote gender equality and intersectional perspectives, gender-sensitive functioning of decision-making bodies across the All region of Georgia.
Participants also discuss measures to combat gender stereotypes and promote a gender-sensitive working and discuss the environment for women, multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination, culture and stereotypes, equal power and influence over the formulation of political agendas and priorities, various types of violence against women in politics as well as prevention and protection mechanisms, including inter-party mechanisms.
It is to be specifically mentioned that a major focus was made on recent changes to the domestic electoral legislation of Georgia which included the shift to a fully proportional electoral system, the use of the ICT during the upcoming 2024 Parliamentary Elections nationwide, the women’s political participation and socio-economic factors, as well as political factors and inter-party democracy of the country.
As per the attendee of the the meeting workshop proved to be an effective platform to foster and facilitate dialogue among representatives of major political parties from the Ajara region and their women’s organisations.
Notbaly workshop was organised within the framework of the Council of Europe Project “Supporting Transparency, Inclusiveness and Integrity of Electoral Practice and Process in Georgia”‘.
It was being realised at the international level that women also need equal opportunities in the politics of their specific countries. At the same time, there is a need to enhance women’s participation in the decision-making processes at the regional and international levels.
Many women’s organisations in the country are actively working to boost women’s participation in politics. Along with Government organisations, many NGOs (Governmental organisations) are also making serious initiatives to ensure women’s participation is more stable and efficient in politics.
