Tbilisi. On July 1, 2021, Public Defender Nino Lomjaria delivered a speech at the global Generation Equality Forum - "Central Role of Gender Equality in Strengthening Democratic Systems." “The purpose of the high-level meeting was to share the practices of different countries in the field of gender equality; It also provided a unique opportunity to deeply analyze cultural and geographical contexts and link them with women's empowerment strategies. In her speech, the Public Defender spoke about the importance of administration of justice on crimes of sexual violence, as well as the existence of a gender-sensitive criminal justice system, where crimes against women are properly recognized, classified and punished by the prosecution and the judiciary”. Read more… Source: ombudsman.ge

Tbilisi. A civil platform “No to Phobia” calls on the Ministry of Internal Affairs to protect the freedom of assembly and expression of participants of “Pride March” and ensure their safety. “On July 5, there is intended to hold “Pride March” to be organized by “Tbilisi Pride”. The event is threatened by violent, homophobic groups, which use social media during recent days to urge society openly and publicly to commit violence and announce a contraction against participants of the March”. Read more… Source: transparency.ge

Tbilisi. On 30 June, the representatives of the Czech non-governmental organization, Posy Bellum held an online training for the representatives of the Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI) and the other interested researchers about the methodology, structure and other details of the online archive – Memory of Nations of the organization. Read more… Source: idfi.ge

Tbilisi. With the letter of 30 June 2021, IDFI once again addresses the Prime Minister of Georgia, Irakli Gharibashvili, the Chairman of the Parliament of Georgia, Kakha Kutchava, Minister of Finances of Georgia, Lasha Khutsishvili and the Chairman of the Finance and Budget Committee of the Parliament of Georgia, Irakli Kovzanadze with the request for the Government to increase the living subsidy for the repressed individuals from 7 GEL to 44 GEL with the 2021 and 2022 budget. This decision would at least slightly improve the difficult financial conditions of the families of the repressed individuals, who are also a risk group considering their age. Read more… Source: idfi.ge

Tbilisi. In connection with the March of Dignity scheduled for July 5, 2021, the Public Defender of Georgia considers it important for the State to ensure the freedom of assembly and expression of citizens by preventing risks and taking appropriate protection measures. In addition, the statements made by far-right and violent groups, containing threats against the LGBT+ community and their supporters, need special attention and appropriate legal response.  Read more… Source: ombudsman.ge

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Adjara. In June, initiative groups, with the support of the Batumi branch of the Civil Society Institute (CSI), registered online petitions at City Assemblies of Batumi and Khelvachauri Municipalities. The petition - “Green districts to Batumi”, registered in Batumi, envisages naming of green, recreational spaces in the city of Batumi, granting them an appropriate status and protecting them. The purpose of the petition is to make sure there is a green environment, equally accessible for everyone, in all 14 districts of Batumi. The petition – “Outdoor lighting to villages of Machakhela”, registered in Khelvachauri, concerns provision of outdoor lighting for inner roads of highland villages of Khelvachauri. Machakhela Valley is one of the unique natural areas and an important tourist destination. The Batumi branch of the Civil Society Institute, in cooperation with the organization Bread for the World (Brot für die Welt) and the Open Society Georgia Foundation, supports civic activism and enhancement of citizen participation in the local decision-making process. Read more...

Tbilisi. In an informational video, prepared by Social Justice Center, the organization responds to inaccurate, false and manipulative arguments in regard to the Namakhvani HPP project that have been disseminated by its supporters. Source:socialjustice.org.ge

Tbilisi. The Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI) conducted a large-scale research, within the framework of which the organization studied communist, totalitarian regime related names of settlements, streets, parks and squares, as well as other toponyms in the territory controlled by the state of Georgia. “Out of the 80 settlements studied, Soviet totalitarian toponyms can be found in 46. In 35 settlements, there can be found names of those people, events, organizations that have been connected with a special crime committed against Georgia or humanity. While studying toponyms, there have been revealed people whose names are actively used by the contemporary Russian propaganda”. Read more… Source: idfi.ge

Tbilisi. UNICEF supports universities in incorporating child rights into educational programmes and curricula. On June 28-29, under the professional development programme, UNICEF organized seminars on the learning-teaching methodology of child rights for the academic staff of Akaki Tsereteli State University and Shota Meskhia State Teaching University of Zugdidi. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. SOS Children’s Villages Georgia releases an official statement in response to information broadcasted through mass media about two alleged cases of violence that took place in the service of a small family house of the organization in the past. “We, at the organization, are deeply concerned about the fact that living in a small family house turned to be traumatic for our two former beneficiaries and it is very difficult for us to hear their stories. The Association expresses its maximum readiness and openness to facilitate any kind of investigation process within the framework of law; moreover, provide psycho-emotional and legal assistance to both the alleged victim of violence and former foster children through the established practice of the organization. All revealed facts, regardless of the age of the case, always create a precondition for reviewing current systems of monitoring, existing within the organization, in order to ensure upbringing and development of each foster child in a safe and secure environment”, - is noted in the statement. Read more… Source: The website of the organization on a social network

Tbilisi. On June 28, IDFI, in cooperation with Tbilisi City Hall and with the financial support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Good Governance Initiative in Georgia (USAID GGI), held an online public discussion of the Open Data Portal concept. This event aimed to introduce the concept of the Tbilisi City Hall Open Data Portal to the public, and ascertain stakeholders’ views. Read more… Source: idfi.ge

Tbilisi. On June 24-25, 2021, in cooperation with the State Inspector's Service, the Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI) and the Social Justice Center held a working meeting with media representatives.  “Representatives of IDFI and the Social Justice Center introduced the main findings of the study "Independent Investigative Mechanism in Georgia - Achievements and Existing Challenges", which is scheduled for public presentation on July 12, 2021. This joint study by IDFI and the Social Justice Center is the first document that comprehensively reviews the activities of the Independent Investigative Mechanism and focuses on measures to be taken to strengthen the institutional capacity and increase the degree of independence of the Service”. Read more… Source: idfi.ge

Tbilisi. Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI) signs a Memorandum of Cooperation with Post Bellum. “Post Bellum is a non-governmental nonprofit organization which documents the memories of witnesses of the important historical phenomenon of the 20th century and tries to pass these stories on to the broader public. It was founded in 2001. The organization was founded by a group of journalists and historians. Post Bellum’s core project is the Memory of Nations, a collection of memories from people who experienced the totalitarian eras of the 20th century as well as photographs, newspapers, and various historical records. The collection is comprised of about 12 thousands of witness stories and is accessible to the public through an online database. IDFI is actively working on memory and disinformation studies. IDFI shares Post Bellum's mission and visions on the above-mentioned issues, especially the importance of telling the stories of victims of totalitarianism. Based on this, the organizations agree on sharing knowledge with each other and working on or developing new projects together in these directions”. Read more… Source: idfi.ge

Tbilisi. Women’s Information Center presents an alternative report on the implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, prepared for the CEDAW Committee in 2021. “The initial draft of the report was prepared by the NGO Women's Information Center, and 29 civil society organizations working on gender equality and women's rights in Georgia were involved in the final drafting of the report. The report was developed with the technical and financial support of the UN Women and the Government of Norway”. Read more… Source: The organization’s page in the social network

Tbilisi. On June 27 European Union and Georgia mark the 7th Anniversary of the signature of the EU-Georgia Association Agreement. “While it is a technical document, it embodies our shared values and ambitions. And it is the key to unlocking the potential of what we have set out to achieve together. Happy anniversary to both Georgia and the EU! I look forward to continue our joint efforts to further deepen our partnership and bring us even closer together in the years to come”, says Carl Hartzell, EU Ambassador to Georgia. Read more… Source: The EU’s page on the social network

According to the information of the Fund "Abkhazintercont", EU Ambassador Mr. Carl Hartzell visited Racha-Lechkhumi and Lower Svaneti region. During the visit, the EU Ambassador, Mr. Carl Hartzell hosted the Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti Regional Hub - Employment Center in the Region – Fund “Abkhazintercont” (AIC). Within the framework of the project - "Civil Society Initiative: Sustainable, Open and Accountable Civil Society Organizations for the Development of Georgia", by the Regional Hub was organized a meeting with representatives of civil society organizations and community unions operating in the region. During the meeting it was discussed the challenges, opportunities and issues of cooperation of civil society organizations, CBO-s civil society with local self-governments, in projects and decision-making, and issues related to the involvement of the local population in these processes. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

As Part of the EU Green Week 2021, CENN Launched a Large-scale Campaign – Act4Climate. „Campaign participants had the opportunity to engage in cognitive and fun activities. Fight against Climate change and protection of the environment is our common responsibility. Any little action undertaken by any of us is just as important as the high-level multilateral negotiations taking place on this subject“. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Imereti. Local Democracy Agency Georgia participated in the Kutaisi Second International Forum “Cities’ Challenges and Way Forward“. “At the forum, the Executive Director of LDA Georgia - Nino Khukhua spoke about the role of civil society organizations in the process of economic stimulation of municipalities and good governance. In order to share good practices, she reviewed the projects implemented by the organization in the recent past, in particular, SMS online platforms were created to promote good governance, medium-term development strategies and investment profiles were developed, an Entrepreneurship-Investment regional forum was organized, etc”. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

In June 2021, the Gender Department and the Eastern Georgia Division of the Public Defender's Office organized information meetings on women's rights and gender equality in Kakheti, Kvemo Kartli, Samtskhe-Javakheti, Mtskheta-Mtianeti and Shida Kartli municipalities. Read more… Source: ombudsman.ge

Tbilisi. According to information released by Social Justice Center, on June 25, the Prime Minister is going to present a report on implementation of a government program in the Parliament of Georgia. “We consider that information provided in the report does not fully cover all problems existing in the country, leaving important public concerns and interests without an attention. So far, the Government has not taken real, social needs-oriented and human rights-based actions in many directions that are discussed positively in the report. Social and equality related issues remain a significant challenge in the country, while problems existing in the areas of justice and rule of law, as well as public safety, are still critical. The state has not succeeded yet to initiate proper, comprehensive reforms and remains limited to fragmented, formal changes in legislation”. Read more… Source: socialjustice.org.ge

Tbilisi. The national rugby team of Georgia, the Lelos, will raise awareness on ending violence against women by wearing the UN Women logo on their jerseys as they compete against the reigning World Champion South Africa team on 2 and 9 July. „South Africa’s matches first since they won the Rugby World Cup (RWC) in 2019, the games will also be the first between Georgia and South Africa since they two sides last met in the 2003 RWC. They are also important events in the rugby community after the Covid-19 pandemic restricted activities worldwide, including sporting events“. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network