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SOCIETY
GEORGIA TODAY
FEBRUARY 2 - 5, 2018
Parliament Unveils Review of Gender Equality Legislation BY MÁTÉ FÖLDI
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he key findings of a comprehensive study, ‘Gender Equality in Georgia: Barriers and Recommen dations,’ carried out by the Gender Equality Council (GEC) of the Parliament of Georgia, were released on January 30 at a conference attended by representatives of the Georgian government, Parliament, civil society and international organizations. The research analyzed nine fields of Georgia’s legislation for their compliance with principles of gender equality. “This is the first attempt in Georgia to draw a comprehensive picture of gender equality challenges and offer specific recommendations to policymakers,” said Tamar Chugoshvili, First Vice Speaker and Chairperson of the Gender Equality Council of the Parliament of Georgia. “The study provides a roadmap for decision-makers and human rights defenders to identify further specific steps needed to close gender inequalities in Georgia.” The study is based on interviews and data provided by the authorities, along with previous studies and reports undertaken in Georgia by national and international organizations. A team of researchers examined the nation’s international human rights obligations and top international practices to identify the gaps in legislation and policy, and to be able to offer concrete advice for the advancement of the gender equality agenda in a number of areas, including political participation, economic empowerment, violence against women, labor relation, health, education, sports, cultures, and peace and security. Among the recommendations of the study are amendments to the Gender Equality Law, AntiDiscrimination Law, Criminal Code, Election Code,
Labor Code and Law on the Public Defender. Policy recommendations are of particular importance to the closing of the gender gap in education, women’s economic advancement, protection of sexual and reproductive rights of women and girls, and advancing gender equality in sports and culture. Key national agencies bearing responsibility for gender equality in Georgia are the targets of these recommendations and include the Gender Equality Council of the Parliament and the Inter-Agency Commission on Gender Equality, Violence against Women and Domestic Violence, which operates under the government. “Legislation and policies alone are not enough to close gender gaps. However, their revision is a constructive step forward to achieving meaningful equality between women and men in all spheres
of life as well as to prevent systemic discrimination against women,” said Niels Scott, Head of the United Nations in Georgia. “We hope that the findings and recommendations of this research will lay the ground for effective measures against sexual harassment, domestic violence and violence against women, as well as for increasing the political participation of women through temporary mandatory gender quotas.” Following the presentation of the study, there was a discussion on the new Gender Equality Concept of Georgia. Based on the findings of the research, the new Concept (a revised version of the one adopted in 2006), was reviewed by experts from USAID/PROLoG. The Georgian Parliament is expected to adopt a new Concept for Gender Equality during the Spring 2018 session. “The United States government is committed to
supporting gender equality. Ending gender-based violence and sexual harassment, effectively fighting discrimination, and economically empowering women are priorities of the US government, and we are proud to support the Government of Georgia's efforts to reduce gender inequalities in Georgia through legislative reform and a modified State Concept,” said Elizabeth Rood, Deputy Chief of Mission at the US Embassy in Georgia. The Gender Equality Council also presented its 2018-2020 Action Plan, revealing the key priorities of the gender equality agenda of the Parliament of Georgia. Their main objectives are the effective formation and management of the gender policy agenda; ensuring the merging of the efforts of various interested parties or engaged parties; implementing women’s role-support initiatives. Their tasks include defining the main directions of state policy; improving the state mechanisms of gender equality; the creation and development of a legislative base in the field of gender equality; monitoring of activities implemented for ensuring gender equality and developing recommendations; institutional strengthening of the Gender Equality Council; and raising awareness. In the legislative sphere, there is a need for reflection on the identified shortcomings and review of the gender equality law; advocacy for the introduction of special measures for women's political participation; preparation of a legislative package on women's economic strengthening; and work on legislative amendments to parental maternity leave. The GEC’s efforts were supported by United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the Govern-ment of Sweden, under the UN Joint Program for Gender Equality, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and East-West Management Institute, under the USAID-funded initiative Promoting Rule of Law in Georgia (PROLoG). The detailed study in its entirety is available on the UNDP Georgia Website.
We Can, I Can! BY SOFO JAVAKHISHVILI
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n February 1, Coalition "Europe Donna Georgia" held a press conference on International Cancer Day at Radisson Blu Iveria Hotel. The meeting was organized within the framework of the informational campaign "Target Life" where the goal is to support patients with metastatic breast cancer. According to the statistics, breast cancer is the most common disease in Georgia. Both patients and supporters turned out to recognize the international day. Invited patients, doctors and supporters once again summarized the existing problems and effective steps taken in its treatment. The Ministry of Health was reminded about the need to treat metastatic cancer patients with drugs and implement the program timely throughout Georgia.
“In July, we conducted a working meeting with stakeholders where we discussed nine problems,” said Ana Mazanashvili, President of the Coalition ‘Europe Donna Georgia.’ Some important steps were taken during this period, but one of the major problems is that the drugs are not financed for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer in the regions. Timely treatment for these patients is very important, as are the drugs, affecting the lifespan of patients and improving their quality of life. Give them a chance to live, this is "we can" and the state should take care of them.” Maia Turashvili, a patient from Gori, said, “I went to a screening and was told that I have fourth stage breast cancer. And I am not the only person facing this problem. It is very important for people living with malignant cancer to get help fast. Every door was closed for me when I asked for help; funding is allocated for patients living in Tbilisi at this stage. There are preparations that are not available for me. Once again, I call on the government to support us. I want to be alive for my children.” Well-known Georgian singer Nato Metonidze, who is also fighting breast cancer and actively supporting other patients, also attended the conference. She spoke about her experience and major problems that people with this problem go through. “10% of citizens in Georgia use free screening services. We need to actively conduct campaigns associated with breast cancer and increase awareness. The government must be more supportive towards its citizens.” The International Union against Cancer (UICC) founded a world community to focus on this global problem. Every year the International Day of Fight against Cancer has a theme. The World Day of Fight against Cancer in 2018 carried the motto ‘We Can - I Can,’ which is designed to help others understand what one can do to combat this disease and what contribution can contribute to the cancer campaign.”
Hepatitis C Elimination Program Cures 98% of Patients in Georgia BY THEA MORRISON
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inety-eight percent of the total 45,000 Hepatitis C cases in Georgia have been cured, following the State-initiated Hepatitis C Elimination Program launched in 2015 with the help of the United States. The statement was made by the Head of Georgia’s National Center for Disease Control and Public Health (NCDC), Amiran Gamkrelidze, who called on people to undergo Hepatitis C free testing and, if positive, receive complimentary treatment from the State. According to Gamkrelidze, 1,400,000 people underwent screening, some of them twice. “Around 10-11% of people tested for Hepatitis C were positive. We send these patients for more
serious tests, because not all cases of the disease are active or need treatment,” he explained. Gamkrelidze added the government wants to check the rest of the population of Georgia throughout the next years. “This is a unique chance, because Hepatitis C treatment is one of the biggest breakthroughs in recent years. It has become a curable disease. The population of Georgia should benefit from this breakthrough,” he added. The health initiative ‘Georgia without Hepatitis C’ was launched nationwide in April 2015, when the Government of Georgia and American biotechnology company, Gilead, signed a Memorandum of Understanding. The project helps to reduce and prevent cases of Hepatitis C in Georgia. The main goal of the project is to stop the disease from spreading. Treatment is free of charge for all citizens of Georgia.