Tbilisi. On October 2, the Public Defender of Georgia addressed the Ministry of Labour, Health and Social Affairs of Georgia with a general proposal with regard to the encouragement of discrimination on grounds of sex. ''The Public Defender launched case proceedings based on the application of the Women's Initiatives Supportive Group (WISG). According to the organization, there is no state program tailored to the needs of female victims of sexual violence, which leads to inequality of women, as female victims of violence are at risk of getting pregnant. In the general proposal, the Public Defender requested the Ministry of Labour, Health and Social Affairs to discuss the allocation of funding for victims of rape within the state healthcare program if they get pregnant as a result of rape,'' is noted in the statement. In full… Source: www.ombudsman.ge

Tbilisi. Partnership for Human Rights (PHR) publishes a blog post: Let’s talk about mandatory vaccination of children. ''According to data of the United Nations Children's Fund, vaccination protects children not only from illnesses but also from death. With this blog I will try to provide you with a clear understanding of above mentioned questions that will help you in forming your substantive position about mandatory vaccination'' – is stated on the website of the organization. Read more... Source:phrgeorgia.wordpress.com

Imereti. Lawyers of ''Partnership for Human Rights'' (PHR) conducted a working meeting on violence against women with specialists of medical field in Tskaltubo. The seminar – ''Role of a doctor in providing support to violence affected women'' aims at raising awareness of doctors and nurses employed at medical institutions. Read more… Source:phrgeorgia.wordpress.com

Kakheti. On July 27-28, the Georgia Red Cross Society conducted orientation courses for Pankisi youth. The purpose of the meeting was to raise awareness of participants about the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, Emblems and Fundamental Principles, as well as volunteerism, communication and communication channels” – is stated on the website of the organization in a social network. Read more… Source:The website of the organization in a social network

Tbilisi. On July 26, 2017, the Parliament of Georgia made amendments to the Law of Georgia on Tobacco Control and the Code of Administrative Offenses under simplified procedure in the first reading, as a result of which, the norms regulating realization/placement of tobacco products in standardized packaging shall take effect on 31 December 2022 instead of 1 January 2018. ''The Public Defender of Georgia disapproves similar amendment to the legislation. We hope that other positive changes made to the Law of Georgia on Tobacco Control in the spring of 2017 (prohibition of tobacco smoking in the closed institutions, prohibition of direct and indirect advertising and promotion of tobacco, the rule of necessary health warnings on tobacco products, etc.) will take effect within the prescribed time. Otherwise, the Public Defender of Georgia considers that protection of the Georgian population, especially juveniles, from the harmful effects of tobacco will be postponed for many years, which will eventually negatively affect the health of the population. The Public Defender of Georgia will continue to monitor the implementation of the tobacco control legislation in the country in the future too'', is noted in the statement. In full… Source: www.ombudsman.ge

Tbilisi. Joan Martson, the Honorary Ambassador for children's palliative care has arrived in Georgia. ''During 5 days Joan Martson will lead working process of the hospice and conduct practical seminars for the hospice staff. With her assistance a guidebook for children's palliative care will be prepared'' – is stated on the website of the organization. Read more... Source:www.osgf.ge

Tbilisi. On June 23, 2017, the Public Defender of Georgia presented the Special Report on Privatization of Mental Health Institutions in Georgia, Evaluation, Conclusions and Recommendations for the Government of Georgia. ''During carrying out a survey for the special report, Georgian and foreign experts studied the documents of the Naneishvili National Mental Health Center and the Khelvachauri Mental Health Center and the issues related to their privatization. As the survey showed, the objectives of privatization and its consequences in the implementation of the national mental health concept and strategy were vague. The privatization process is being implemented hastily, without consultation with stakeholders. At the same time, no open competition has been announced; no required qualifications or experience of a potential investor have been defined in advance. The privatization of the institutions does not have a uniform format and does not provide a clear picture of long-term planning of service and its financial stability. The business model of the investor remains unclear as well'', is noted in the statement. In full… Source: www.ombudsman.ge

Tbilisi. ''Partnership for Human Rights'' (PHR) publishes a brochure for doctors. ''The role of a doctor in the process of supporting a violence affected woman is of utmost importance. Only a doctor possesses the great trust that can be used to save a victim of violence'' – is stated on the website of the organization. Read more… Source: phrgeorgia.wordpress.com

Tbilisi. The Australian U20 Rugby Union Team visited the children's hospice "Firefly World" on June 1. Rugby players arrived in Georgia to participate in the World Rugby U20 Championship and they decided to visit the children's hospice on International Children's Day. ''The Australian rugby players painted murals on one of the walls of the hospice and took memorable photos with the children. The first children's hospice ''Firefly World'' was launched in Georgia in January 2017. The children's hospice is a family-type facility, which provides free palliative care for children with chronic and incurable illnesses, as well as for their families'', is noted in the statement. In full… Source: www.osgf.ge

Tbilisi. On May 26, 2017, Davit Sergeenko, Minister of Labour, Health and Social Affairs of Georgia, said that people with status-neutral document living on the occupied territories will be able to enjoy the hepatitis C program. ''The Public Defender of Georgia addressed the Ministry of Labour, Health and Social Affairs of Georgia with a proposal with regard to the abovementioned issue on January 26, 2016. In particular, the Public Defender called on the Ministry to enable persons with neutral identity cards and persons with neutral travel documents to enroll in the State Program on Elimination of Hepatitis C'', is noted in the statement. In full… Source: www.ombudsman.ge

Tbilisi. ''Coalition for Equality'', parents of children with disabilities and other signatory persons/organizations respond to draft changes to be made by the Tbilisi City Hall into the subprogram ''Rehabilitation of children with autism spectrum disorder''. Organizations call on the City Hall to abolish already elaborated changes and cooperate with parents of children with disabilities. Read more… Source: phrgeorgia.wordpress.com

Tbilisi. The Human Rights Education and Monitoring Center (EMC), within the framework of the ''What’s Your Demand?'' campaign, publishes a demand of Giorgi Giorgadze. The ''What’s Your Demand?'' campaign is an attempt to identify legislative shortcomings and systemic problems existing in the field of labor and environmental protection. Read more… Source:emc.org.ge

Tbilisi. On May 15, 2017, the Public Defender of Georgia held a working meeting with representatives of various ministries and NGOs and discussed issues relating to availability of healthcare services in the occupied territories, recommendations developed by the Public Defender in this direction and solutions to the problems. ''The Public Defender of Georgia has elaborated the following recommendations for the Government of Georgia and the Ministry of Labour, Health and Social Affairs: A mechanism should be developed for enrolling Georgian citizens living in the occupied territories in the referral program; amendments to the Government’s Decree on Establishment of Commission for Making Decisions on Provision of Medical Assistance within the framework of Referral Service and Definition of Rules of Actions should be drafted in order to make uniform practice with regard to all citizens living in the occupied territories, regardless of their citizenship, of a compulsory nature'', is noted in the statement. In full… Source: www.ombudsman.ge

Kvemo Kartli. Basic first aid training in Marneuli throughout 12-13 May, 2017, in the frames of the STRC - GRCS twinning program the training on Basic First Aid was conducted for GRCS Marneuli branch volunteers. ''Training consisted of theoretical and practical parts that gave opportunity to the participants to receive knowledge and develop practical skills of providing first aid to the casualties effectively. Training was interactive and participants were fully involved in the training process. At the end of the two days the whole process was considered as successful by the trainers as well as trainees'', is noted in the statement. In full… Source: The organization’s web-page in a social network

Tbilisi. On 23-27 April Women's Fund in Georgia organized a Training of Trainers in Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights within the frames of the one year program New Perspectives on Generating Knowledge and Resources of Women Rights Groups on SRHR supported by Foundation Open Society Institute (FOSI). Training aimed to raise participants’ awareness regarding interconnection of sexual and reproductive health and rights with the issues of strengthening women. In full… Source: The Organization’s web-page in a social page

Tbilisi. With the support of the National Center for Disease Control and Public Health (NCDC) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) a mobile application has been created for telephones with Android and iOS systems. ''The application will remind you about deadlines of due vaccinations and will give you the opportunity to plan the immunization process of your child properly'' – is stated on the website of the organization. Reade more… Source: The website of the organization in a social network

Tbilisi. Five-day Training of Trainers in Advocacy for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights has started today. „Training aims to raise participants’ awareness regarding interconnection of sexual and reproductive health and rights with the issues of strengthening women. Invited trainers Irina Costache, Ph.D. In Gender Studies and Adriana, Radu Master of Public Health will lead the training for the women and girls who already have specific experience in direction of SRHR", is noted in the statement. In full… Source: The organization’s web-page in a social page

Tbilisi. 7 April, 2017, Tbilisi. The presentation of the National Maternal & Newborn Health Strategy (2017-2030) and a 3-year Action Plan (2017-2019) is being held today at the Tbilisi Marriott Hotel. ''The Strategy envisages that by 2030, there will be no preventable deaths of mothers and newborns or stillbirths, every child will be a wanted child, and every unwanted pregnancy will be prevented through appropriate education and full access for all to high quality integrated services. The Strategy is guided by the internationally accepted principles such as Human Rights, Gender Equality, Life-Course Approach to Reproductive Health, Quality of Care'', is noted in the statement. In full… Source: unicef.ge

Are you a creative, active person? Would you like to do something fun and inspirational that can help promote healthy living and beat cancer? And would you also like the chance to win cool prizes? Then why not enter our competition to promote the European Code Against Cancer by posting creative picture that will help people understand how they can prevent cancer. Participants snap photos of themselves or others taking part in any type of healthy activity benefiting their health and share them with us for a chance to win a prize. In full… Source: Social Page

Tbilisi. World Autism Awareness Day is marked on April 2. In 2017, the theme of this day is ''Toward Autonomy and Self-Determination''. ''No tangible changes were made in Georgia in terms of protection of the rights of people with autism spectrum disorders last year. The problems of children are particularly severe. Availability of healthcare adjusted to their needs and rehabilitation/habilitation services, as well as inclusive education, represents a challenge. The state cannot provide necessary programs and services for persons with autism, as well as their proper engagement in the inclusive education process'', is noted in the statement. In full… Source: ombudsman.ge

Tbilisi. On March 21, 2017, the Public Defender of Georgia addressed the Ministry of Labor, Health and Social Affairs of Georgia to take necessary measures for solving the problems of the Brotsliani Charity House (non-commercial legal entity). ''The examination revealed that the service is not delivered in an environment oriented to beneficiaries; the service is not tailored to individual needs; sanitary conditions and safety are not protected; proper attention is not paid to the beneficiaries' health; their social activity is not promoted; the negative practice in terms of management of complex behavior needs to be immediately changed'', is note din the statement. In full… Source: www.ombudsman.ge