against women; โข Ensure to refrain from any act discrimination; โข Take all appropriate measures to eliminate discrimination against women; โข Modify or abolish existing laws that constitute discrimination against women; โข Take all appropriate measures to abolish stereotyping based on gender21; The Committee also recommended the Georgian Government to take steps to ensure that other women and children do not find themselves in a similar situation. The recommendations included the ratification of the Istanbul Convention, training for judges, lawyers, and other enforcement personnel as well as appropriate training on the CEDAW Convention. Currently, EHRAC and Article 42 are working with other organizations to implement the recommendations by the Committee. The Committee also recommended the Georgian Government to take steps to ensure that other women and children do not find themselves in a similar situation. The recommendations included the ratification of the Istanbul Convention, training for judges, lawyers, and other enforcement personnel as well as appropriate training on the CEDAW Convention. Currently, EHRAC and Article 42 are working with other organizations to implement the recommendations by the Committee. >> Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (The Istanbul Convention) Georgia signed the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence in 2014. The purpose of the convention is to protect women against all forms of violence. The law complements the national legislation of Georgia on Elimination of Domestic Violence, Protection and Support of Victims of Domestic Violence. Together they provide an in depth legal instrument to protect women from domestic violence. Parties are encouraged to pay special attention to women victims of gender-based violence and ensure implementation of the provisions of the Convention22. The convention is of great importance
for Georgia since it covers all types of violence against women, such as โforced marriage, psychological violence, physical violence, domestic violence, sexual violence including rape, forced abortion, forced sterilization, and it obligates the states to introduce relevant legislative amendments in these directionsโ which are highly relevant in the country23. The Government of Georgia did not ratify the convention for two years; however, the Georgian Cabinet of Ministers made the decision to ratify the Istanbul Convention on January 24, 2017, two years after becoming the signatory to the Convention. As a result of ratifying the Convention, stalking, female genital mutilation, domestic violence and other acts of violence will be more easily punishable by law. Legislative amendments will go into force in order to harmonize the national legislation with the Convention24. >> Beijing Declaration and the Platform for Action The last of the four world conferences that the United Nations has organized on women was held in 1995 in Beijing. The Beijing Declaration was adopted by 189 countries and its main goal was to serve as the key global document on gender equality. As the Member of the United Nations, Georgian Delegation took part in the adoption of the Beijing Declaration in 199525. It aims to remove โall the obstacles to womenโs active participation in all spheres of public and private life through a full and equal share in economic, social, cultural, and political decision-making.26โ It encompasses the most critical areas of concern in gender equality, such as women and media, women and poverty, education of women, violence against women, women in power and decision-making and others27. Up until now, the Beijing Declaration still forms a powerful source of guidance for
23. Nozadze, N. Domestic Violence against Women and Challenges of the Istanbul Convention in Georgia, 2015. 24. Georgian Government approves Package of Legislative Changes Aimed Against Domestic Violence for Ratification of the Istanbul Convention, Ministry of Justice of Georgia. 25. Report of the Government of Georgia on Activities Taken for Fulfillment Of Beijing Action Platform. 26. Report of the Government of Georgia on Activities Taken for Fulfillment Of Beijing Action Platform.
21. Communication No. 24/2009 X and Y against Georgia. 22. Article 2(2) of the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence.
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Gender Equality in Georgia โ Legal Framework
27. UN Women, World Conferences on Women http://www.unwomen. org/en/how-we-work/intergovernmental-support/world-conferences-on-women