UN JOINT PROGRAMME TO ENHANCE GENDER EQUALITY IN GEORGIA MPTF OFFICE GENERIC ANNUAL PROGRAMME NARRATIVE PROGRESS REPORT REPORTING PERIOD: 1 JANUARY – 31 DECEMBER 2014

Country, Locality(s), Priority Area(s) / Strategic Programme Title & Project Number Results  Programme Title: UNJP to Enhance Gender Equality in Georgia Country/Region Georgia

 Programme Number: 00081311  MPTF Office Project Reference Number: 00081625 Priority area/ strategic results MDGs, UNDAF Priority 2: Democratic Development Participating Organization(s) Implementing Partners UNDP, UN Women, UNFPA  The programme is directly implemented by UN agencies: UNDP, UN Women, and UNFPA.  UN Women partners with:  State Fund for Protection and Assistance of Victims of Human Trafficking and Domestic Violence  Anti-Violence Network of Georgia  Women’s Employment Support Association “Amagdari”  Women’s Advice Center “Sakhli”  Georgian Rugby Union

Programme/Project Cost (US$) Programme Duration JP Contribution from Sida (pass-through): $ 5,928,467 Overall Duration (months) 41 months

Start Date (dd.mm.yyyy) 01 /Dec/2011 Original End Date 30/Oct/2014 (dd.mm.yyyy) Current End date (dd.mm.yyyy) 30/Apr/2015 TOTAL: $ 5,829,467 Programme Assessment/Review/Mid-Term Eval. Report Submitted By Assessment/Review - if applicable please attach Name: Shombi Sharp Yes No Date: dd.mm.yyyy Title: DRR Mid-Term Evaluation Report – if applicable please Participating Organization (Lead): UNDP attach Email address: [email protected] Yes No Date: dd.mm.yyyy

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CRONYMS ACCRONYMS

AVNG Anti-Violence Network of Georgia CEDAW Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women CSO Civil Society Organization DEVAW Declaration on Elimination of Violence Against Women DV Domestic Violence DV Council Inter-agency Council Implementing Measures to Eliminate Domestic Violence DV Law 2006 Law of Georgia on Elimination of Domestic Violence, Protection and Support to its Victims DV NAP National Action Plan on Elimination of Domestic Violence, Protection and Assistance of Victims of Domestic Violence 2013-2015 FBO Faith-Based Organizations GD Coalition “Georgia Dream” GE Gender Equality GEC Gender Equality Council of the Parliament of Georgia GEL Georgian Lari (national currency unit) Geostat National Statistics Office of Georgia GRU Georgian Rugby Union ICPD International Conference on Population and Development ICPDV Interagency Council for Prevention of Domestic Violence Istanbul Convention Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combatting Violence against Women and Domestic Violence LGBT Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transsexual MDGs Millennium Development Goals MoA Ministry of Agriculture MES Ministry of Education and Science MESD Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development MFA Ministry of Foreign Affairs MIA Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia MoJ Ministry of Justice of Georgia MoLHSA Ministry of Labour, Health and Social Assistance of Georgia MOU Memorandum of Understanding MP Member of Parliament NAP National Action Plan NGO Non-Governmental Organization NRM National Referral Mechanism PDO Public Defender’s Office of Georgia PSA Public service announcement SAA Standard Administrative Agency SRH&RR Sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights State Fund State Fund for Protection and Assistance of Victims of Human Trafficking and Domestic Violence TOT Training of Trainers UNDP United Nations Development Programme UNFPA United Nations Population Fund UN Women United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women VAWG Violence against Women WHO World Health Organization

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PART I: NARRATIVE REPORT

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This Consolidated Annual Progress Report under the UN Joint Programme to Enhance Gender Equality in Georgia covers the period from 1 January to 31 December, 2014. This report is in fulfillment of the reporting requirements set out in the Standard Administrative Arrangement (SAA) concluded with the Donor. In line with the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by Participating UN Organizations, the Annual Progress Report is consolidated based on information, data and financial statements submitted by Participating Organizations. It is neither an evaluation of the Joint Programme nor an assessment of the performance of the Participating Organizations. The report provides the Steering Committee with a comprehensive overview of achievements and challenges associated with the Joint Programme, enabling it to make strategic decisions and take corrective measures, where applicable.

In 2014 the UN Joint Programme to Enhance Gender Equality in Georgia has achieved substantial results in response to the planned outcomes of the program. The efforts supported and taken forward by the implementing agencies – UNDP, UN Women and UNFPA separately and jointly have contributed to the attainment of the goals as set forth by the UN Development Assistance Framework, in line with Georgia’s international, constitutional and legal commitments to meeting the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) Programme of Action and the Government’s Action Plans.

The highlights of the Joint Program achievements:

 Inclusion of the gender related National Action Plans in the Government’s Human Rights Strategy and Action Plan; creation of the Gender Working Group under the HR Inter-Agency Coordination Council chaired by the Prime Minister  Adoption of amendments to the Georgian legislation by the Parliament pursuant to the Council of Europe Convention on Combatting and Preventing Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (Istanbul Convention)  Creating momentum for integrating gender equality and SRH&RR principles in the formal education system as a result of the long-term advocacy with the Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia and revisiting National Education Plan and specific subjects.  Successful re-establishment of Local Women Councilors’ Forum after 2014 local elections and fostering political and leadership skills of the newly elected women members of the local councils  Successful public awareness campaigns “Breakdown Stereotypes”, UNiTE and “Father read me a book”; awareness raising activities on gender equality, gender-based violence, domestic violence, reproductive health and rights, male involvement, HIV/AIDS; improved access to the gender related information and sex disaggregated data availability  Re-establishment of the DV Council;  Establishment of a high level Commission on DV within the MoIA and launch of DV specialized police units;  Establishment of the Gender Equality Department of the PDO and adoption of its gender mainstreaming strategy and action plan for 2014-2016;  Securing state budget funding for DV shelters in Kutaisi and Kakheti;  Economic empowerment of local women in Kakheti and Samegrelo regions through building their capacities and providing venues for vocational education in the targeted municipalities

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 Undertaking a comprehensive qualitative research on Gender Biased Sex Selection in Georgia for shedding light on the issue of sex imbalances in Georgia and exploring its projected consequences

The Multi-Partner Trust Fund Office (MPTF Office) of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) serves as the Administrative Agent for the Joint Programme. The MPTF Office receives, administers and manages contributions from Donors, and disburses these funds to the Participating UN Organizations in accordance with the decisions of Steering Committee. The Administrative Agent receives and consolidates annual reports and submits to the Steering Committee.

This report is presented in two parts. Part I is the Annual Narrative Progress Report and Part II is the Annual Consolidated Financial Progress Report.

I. Purpose

The overall goal of the programme is to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment through strengthening capacities in the government, civil society and communities. The overall goal is to be achieved by realization of the following outcomes: 1. Enhanced women’s political and economic empowerment (led by UNDP) 2. Creating an enabling environment to eliminate violence against women, especially domestic violence (DV) (led by UN Women) 3. Gender Equality advanced by creating enabling environment to realize Sexual and Reproductive Rights of population (led by UNFPA) The joint programme directly supports further realization of the women’s rights and gender equality commitments undertaken by Georgia at international as well as national levels and intends to upscale results achieved by the country with the support of the international community, including UN agencies, in the area of gender equality and women’s empowerment through innovative initiatives.

The Joint Programme to Enhance Gender Equality in Georgia directly responds to the Millennium Development Goal 3 – Promote Gender Equality and Empower Women. Within the UN Development Assistance Framework for Georgia the programme and its outcomes fall under the Thematic Area 1 – Poverty Reduction, Outcome 3: Vulnerable groups enjoy improved access to quality health, education, legal aid, justice and other essential social services and Thematic Area 2 – Democratic Development, Outcome 1 – Enhanced protection and promotion of human rights, access to justice and gender equality.

II. i) Results

Outcome 1. Enhanced women’s political and economic empowerment

Within the scope of the UNJP, UNDP serves as a lead agent and main responsible party for implementation of activities and achievement of results of outcome 1 and all the outputs therein. Through outcome 1, UNJP aims to enhance women’s political and economic empowerment through advocating women’s increased participation in the policy making process and empowering them economically, thus setting up sound mechanisms for political and economic activism to collectively advance the gender equality agenda at national and grassroots levels.

2014 was the year of Local Self-Governance Elections in Georgia. Two major changes were implemented to the Local Governance Code – (1) the Mayors and Heads of Local Municipalities were elected directly and (2) seven self-governing cities were added. As a result Georgia elected 12 Mayors, 71 Local Councils and 59 Heads of Municipalities. No major party nominated female candidates for the executive positions. Therefore, all elected Mayors and Heads of Municipalities were males.

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For the Local Councils elections, several parties chose to qualify for the voluntary quota, which entails financial incentive for nominating women. In total 26.8% candidates were female that ran on the party lists and single-mandate districts. However, the percentage of actually elected women remained low at 11.6%, with only 0.6 % increase in comparison to previous elections. However, it should be noted that seven new councils were established increasing the mandate numbers from 1988 to 2084.

The results of 2012 parliamentary and 2014 local elections showed that the voluntary quota (30% financial incentive for nominating 30% different sex representatives in every 10 of party lists) did not work towards increasing women’s participation in politics. Consequently, the Gender Equality Council of the Parliament of Georgia with the support of international and local organizations working on women’s political empowerment, launched advocacy campaign for introducing hard quota for the 2016 parliamentary and 2017 local elections.

The Minister of Finance expressed willingness to engage in introduction of gender budgeting principles at least at the local/municipal levels. Such commitment was articulated at the budget hearing in the Parliament in December 2014, in addition to the obligation stipulated in the Gender Equality National Action Plan for 2014-2016. UNDP in coordination with the Gender Equality Council advocated for institutionalization of gender budgeting with the Ministry. The result of the advocacy can be construed as a significant achievement of the program.

The 2014 local/municipal budgets were finalized in March. UNJP target Municipalities adopted more gender sensitive budgets incorporating 82 projects submitted by the program target community groups in the amount of 6,232,620 GEL.

Output 1. Improved policy and institutional framework for advancing Gender Equality agenda

The Gender Equality Council (GEC) continued to lead coordination on the implementation of the GE National Action Plan. One of the major direction encompasses gender budgeting activities. UNJP provided special training to the members of the GEC and additionally the Budget Office of the Parliament of Georgia, in order to raise awareness and skills for the fall deliberations of the 2015 State Budget. As part of gender budgeting component under Output 2, UNJP and its partner organization Municipal Service Providers Association (MSPA) organized a discussion on gender budgeting for the GEC, Budget and Finance Committee of the Parliament, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure and representatives of select Municipalities of Kakheti and Samegrelo. After presenting the successful cases of gender sensitive local budgets, the Minister of Finance, Mr. Khaduri agreed to start the process of incorporating gender considerations in the program budgeting manuals and the Government’s Annual Budget Report (Annex 1.1). After the draft budget law was presented to the Parliament, in response to the GEC request the Budget Office prepared gender analysis of the draft budget and submitted it to the Council. At the budget hearing GEC members stated comments and recommendations followed by the Minister of Finance reiterating commitment to include gender considerations in the program budgeting systems (Annex 1.2).

During the Gender Week in March 2014, the GEC held a working session with the Ajara and Abkhazia (Government in exile) Autonomous Republic Supreme Council women regarding the possibilities of the creation of Gender Equality units and reviewed the options for cooperation in the process of the GE NAP implementation.

In 2014 the Government of Georgia adopted the National Human Rights Strategy (NHRS) 2014-2020 and its Action Plan, where a separate Chapter 14 is devoted gender equality. The HR NAP incorporates the

Page 5 of 46 government’s obligations provided in GE, DV and 1325 NAPs. Subsequently, the Government created Inter-Agency Coordination Council with Secretariat to oversee and coordinate the implementation of the HR NAP. The Secretariat became the institutional mechanism at the executive branch, which closely works with the GEC on gender equality issues. UNJP participates in the Gender Working Group under the Secretariat and plans to provide technical assistance during 2015.

UNJP joined forces with the Gender Theme Group Task Force on women’s political empowerment, which includes international and local organizations (NDI, IRI, IFES, NIMD, Oxfam, WIC, Gender Network, Gender Justice, etc.). The Task Force unified efforts and jointly launched advocacy campaign to introduce hard quotas for the upcoming elections. The teams meet with all major parties, their leadership, Parliamentary Factions, members of Government, organize conferences and events jointly to maintain single message and emphasis on ways for increasing numbers of women at decision making levels.

With UNJP support a group of four organizations conducted a CSO Forum aimed at coordination, consolidation and cooperation (3C) of resources and efforts around gender equality agenda. The conference brought together the CSOs that work on gender equality and women’s issues, as well as other organizations that implement gender components in lager programs. The participants discussed the major challenges the NGO community faces, acknowledged the need to unite around advocacy efforts in support of the issues that are relevant for the gender equality agenda. As a result, the organizations agreed on the next steps to formalize the structure of the forum. The Forum organizations decided to finalize the common goals and objectives to effectively utilize joint efforts in achieving more balanced and equal society.

In 2014 UNDP continued the communications campaign “Change Your Mind” which started in November 2013. The objective of the campaign was to create buzz and initiate discussions about gender stereotypes. It was divided and implemented into three stages using AIDA (awareness, interest, desire, action) model. This approach suited best to facilitate the shift in understanding and accepting the role of men and women in the family, politics and business. Campaign promoted gender equality as equally important for both, men and women. After successful launch in Tbilisi, the first wave of the campaign – “Breaking the Stereotypes” continued in the main towns of Kakheti and Samegrelo. Stencils addressing the gender stereotypes appeared on the streets of Telavi and Zugdidi. Regional media as well as national media picked up the stories and news coverage enhanced the effects of the campaign. To increase the national reach and reinforce the message, two PSAs were developed and aired through the national and regional TV channels. Launching of TV campaign was accompanied by the second wave of stenciling big walls in the busy districts of Tbilisi.

The main message of the campaign’s next phase was “Perceive the Equality”. A PSA aired through national and regional TV channels emphasized the advantages of the gender balance and importance of equal share of responsibilities between men and women in the family, at work and social life in general.

Since the launch in December 2013 the campaign Facebook page - “Change Your Mind” successfully continued the dialogue and engagement with more than 46,000 followers and members of the society. A special open-air event was organized during the Gender Week in March 2014 in the one of the biggest parks of Tbilisi –Rike Park. Participants were invited on stage to voice their opinions about gender equality and shoot the paint bombs onto the wall stenciled with the gender stereotypes. Short videos of the participants’ speeches were created and posted on the campaign Facebook page and thus moving the discussions online (Annex 1.3).

To reveal and publicize best practices and policies in equal treatment of women and men in private and public organizations UNDP held The Gender Equality Awards. More than thirty business companies,

Page 6 of 46 government and local governance agencies and organizations competed for the Gender Awards 2014 in Georgia. The winners of the contest were announced at the Gala Event which was part of the annual Gender Week run under the theme “Equality for Women is Progress for All”.

UNDP organized annual celebration of the International Day of Rural Women on 15 October in the village of Ninotsminda of the Sagarejo Municipality in Kakheti region. The celebration brought together more than 60 women involved in the community projects in Kakheti and Samegrelo, and women farmers from different regions of the country. Rural women met representatives of the Government, Parliament, international organizations and civil society to present the results of their work, discuss pressing issues of their communities, and promote equal rights and opportunities for men and women in every aspect of social, economic and political life.

Output 2: Gender responsive policies applied by key national and local authorities

The Output 2 aims at institutionalization of gender mainstreaming in the executive branch on national and local levels.

UNDP continued its support for women’s political empowerment at the local level through its partner organization the Municipal Service Providers Association (MSPA). The Leadership School program expanded to offer a special module on election technologies to strengthen the campaign skills of the female Sakrebulo members prior to elections. 94 women councillors graduated the Leadership School in June. Within the Joint Program UNDP strived to encourage more women to run for re-election.

In June, 2014 the local elections brought 243 (11.6%) women to the local councils - Sakrebulos - among the total number of mandates of 2,084 in 71 Municipalities and Self-governing Cities. Among 32 re- elected females 21 were the graduates of the Leadership School. Such turnover of the elected officials created greater need for continuing the Leadership School for the newly elected women Councillors. During the months of September and October, 40 women Councillors were enrolled and graduated the school.

On 03 November, UNDP and MSPA organized the “II National Conference of the Women Councillor’s Forum” for the newly elected members. As a result, 187 women Councilors united for better local governance and gender equality in local authorities. The re-elected members of the Forum presented the annual report of the Task Force and emphasized the benefits of uniting efforts and sharing experience within the Forum. The conference participants had the opportunity to learn about the reforms and programs implemented by the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure and Ministry of Agriculture. Intensive Q&A sessions followed each presentation, providing the Councillors with an opportunity to obtain a direct information on the specific problems of their communities. The Congress elected a new Task Force uniting 24 women from all regions of Georgia.

UNDP in cooperation with MSPA followed up on the successful introduction of gender budgeting principles in the targeted 16 municipalities. Set of discourses were organized in order to expand the experience and positive results with other regions. Elected Heads of Municipalities and Chairs of Sakrebulos were invited to presentations in Kutaisi for Western Georgia Municipalities and Rustavi for Eastern Georgia Municipalities. The presented analysis of the implemented intervention shows that budgets have become results-oriented and can be qualitatively evaluated; the financial plans focus on the identification of benefits. They have become more transparent and understandable to the public, focus on the goals, needs and opportunities and serve the people's interests and provide them with information about the targeted beneficiaries and size of expenditures. At the final stage the results were presented to the GEC and Ministy of Finance.

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During 2014 UNDP continued cooperation with the Public Defender’s Office Disability Center. A study was conducted on implementation of the 6th article of the UN Convention on “the Rights of the Persons with Disabilities – existing challenges and perspective”, which sets special requirements for the signatory countries with the aim to protect and realize the rights of women (girls) with disabilities. The study covered four regions: Kakheti, Samegrelo, Imereti and Mtskheta-Mtianeti.

As a result of the UNDP advocacy the Disability Center was transformed into a permanent Department under the PDO and the UNDP consultant was invited to head the Department.

Output 3: Local women empowered economically and politically through better opportunities for income generation and political participation

UNDP has been using the multifold approach to advance women’s empowerment at grassroots level by stimulating women’s social activism, increasing their employability, facilitating women engagement in economic activities, boosting women’s self-confidence and challenge the myth about women’s and men’s professions. The project continued to solidify results of the community mobilization efforts and strengthen the ties of community leader women with local self-government bodies to encourage social activism and engage women in local decision making. To increase women’s employability, the project has considered the skills mismatch on Georgian labor market, which is partially responsible for the high level of unemployment. Georgia has traditional employment structure that implies that few jobs require higher education and industries and firms that generate employment need more employees with secondary or vocational education.

In 2014 UNDP continued supporting the vocational education trainings in Kakheti and Samegrelo regions through three vocational education institutions: “Aisi” in Kachreti, “Pazisi” in Poti and Zugdidi State Teaching University with an agricultural branch in Senaki. 289 women and 10 men have participated in the vocational courses at three institutions with 95.3 percent graduation rate. An average employment rate upon the graduation is 68 percent and self-employment rate in agriculture is 87.5 percent. The training courses are closely linked with the Extension Centers in Kachreti and Senaki, continuously coaching women in producing agricultural produce. The Centers conducted 75 group and 207 individual consultations for farmers. Overall 913 farmers (including 115 men) participated in the consultations. Within the extension centers women get opportunities to set up demonstration plots for promoting new sorts and methodologies of growing different fruits and vegetables. In Kakheti the produced crops are collected and processed at the small plant at “Aisi”, which in its turn employs the graduates of the College.

The Association of Women Farmers of Kakheti continued to expand its membership adding three more Municipalities – Telavi, Kvareli and Akhmeta, uniting 150 women farmers in Kakheti. With the support of the UNJP the Association engaged in organizing three advocacy meetings with local authorities on the problems that farmers face, as well as encouraging its members to form cooperatives for improved income generation opportunities. Three cooperatives were registered - horticultural cooperative “Gile” in Gurjaani, “Berry growing women’s cooperative” uniting women from several villages and "Borderline farmers' cooperative", incorporating border line farmers in southern part of Kakheti.

Community mobilization initiative moved to the next stage of involving community groups in solving specific problem through independently implementing a small project. The consortium of partner organizations - the Center of Strategic Research and Development of Georgia (CSRDG), with Atinati (Samegrelo) and Georgian Civil Development Association (Kakheti) conducted 42 workshops on developing project proposals and reporting requirements for the community groups involving 207

Page 8 of 46 members. Consequently, CSRDG announced a grant competition, where 22 communities submitted proposals. One of the conditions of the competition required the applicants to indicated in-kind and financial contributions of the community and local municipality. 14 projects received funding from UNJP with the total amount of 87,681 GEL (65%), complemented with community contributions – 18,256 GEL (14%), municipal funding – 21,502 GEL (16%) and other sources – 7,255 GEL (5%). The projects covered variety of issues, including fixing sewage and water supply of village kindergarten, training courses and study tours to other municipalities, building and renovating recreation areas. All projects were successfully completed. The initiative groups managed to overcome initial skepticism, attract and engage neighbors in the process and earned respect and appreciation from the community, thus obtaining a gratifying sense of accomplishment. All 14 projects were presented at the Rural Women’s Day celebration in the renovated kindergarten playground in Ninotsminda.

CSRDG continued to provide business related trainings for the interested women within the target communities. Participants developed skills, increased their knowledge starting a business, prepared their business plans and submitted to local financial institutions for funding/crediting. As a result of the individual consultations 12 business plans were prepared and out of these five were approved by local financial institutions and two actually funded (by MFI “Finca” and World Vision).

Overall, the year 2014 for UNJP Outcome 1 on “women’s political and economic empowerment” concluded with substantial achievements across the three outputs. A body coordinating the gender equality agenda was established within the executive, which is chaired by Prime Minister. After the 2014 local elections the need for hard quota was actively discussed and acknowledged. After the advocacy work, the gender budgeting window of opportunity was opened up by the Minister of Finance. In parallel, the UNJP used every opportunity to actively upscale support for local women through local governance and community mobilization components in the selected regions, assisting capacity development and increased engagement of women in solving major problems at home and within the communities.

Outcome 2: Enabling environment to eliminate violence against women, especially domestic violence created in Georgia.

In line with its mandate and scope of work within the UNJP, UN Women has aspired to contribute to the advancement of gender equality through creating enabling environment to eliminate violence against women (VAWG), especially domestic violence (DV). To achieve this outcome, UN Women has adopted a holistic approach by working on three different but highly interlinked levels – policy and legislation, institutional and grassroots levels. While developing capacities and opportunities for duty-bearers and rights-holders, the human rights based approach has been employed.

Taking stock of the results achieved in combating domestic violence (DV) in Georgia during the first and second years of UNJP implementation (2012 and 2013), as well as the work carried out by UN Women during 2010-2011, efforts were targeted at further improvement of relevant policies and laws as well as further development of services provided for survivors of domestic violence both by state and non-state actors (such as shelters, hotline, crises center, career advice, job-placement and access to justice). Specifically, a package of legislative amendments aimed at harmonization of Georgian legislation with the Istanbul Convention provisions that has been developed with UNJP’s technical support (also in close partnership with UNICEF in relation to children’s rights) was adopted in October 2014 without major alterations. Furthermore, to ensure sustainability of these services, UNJP has been advocating with the government for increased funding for these services from the state budget. In this regard, an agreement has been reached with the Ministry of Labor, Health and Social Protection (MoLHSA) and the State Fund for the Assistance and Protection of the Victims of Trafficking in Human Beings and Domestic

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Violence (State Fund) that the funding for the fourth shelter in Kakheti (East Georgia), the building for which has been procured and is now under reconstruction with the financial and technical support of UNJP, will be taken over by the state budget as of May 2015. It is noteworthy, that the establishment of this shelter in Kakheti was not initially foreseen by the UNJP and is a result of the UNJP efficient work and advocacy. In the reporting period, the already established three shelters have served 114 DV victims/survivors while the nation-wide DV hotline served 1182 beneficiaries.

During the reporting period, the work has been completed with the Georgian Bar Association (GBA) by making the developed training programme part of the GBA’s mandatory continuous legal education system for all lawyers practicing in Georgia. As a result, 645 lawyers were trained as opposed to initially planned 200 due to the high level of interest towards the issue among lawyers. Therefore, the basic approach throughout the Joint Programme is to enhance ownership and sustainability of the results achieved.

On the other hand, a greater emphasis has been placed on the efforts that are aimed at the prevention of violence against women, especially domestic violence, through strategic and well-targeted awareness raising initiatives, to include public information campaigns that will contribute to changes in those attitudes, values, and structures that sustain inequality and discrimination.

Output 2.1: National laws and policies on domestic violence improved in line with international commitments (DEVAW, CEDAW, Beijing Platform for Action).

UNJP has continued to aspire for further enhancement of the respective policies and laws in the area of VAWG and DV. For this purpose, UNJP has been advocating with the GEC, the DV Council, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia (MFA) for the ratification of the Istanbul Convention. With the support of UNJP a delegation of the government of Georgia participated in the 57th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women in March 2013, where the delegation of the Government of Georgia committed to sign and ratify the Istanbul Convention in the nearest future under the UN SG’s COMMIT initiative.4 The commitment to sign and ratify the Istanbul Convention has then been further re- affirmed in the DV NAP 2013-2015 adopted and approved by the President of Georgia in July 2013. As a result, Minister of Justice Tsulukiani has signed the Istanbul Convention on behalf of the Georgian Government in June 2014. On 25 November 2014, at a high-level meeting organized by UN Women, Mr. Gocha Lortkipanidze, Deputy Minister of Justice underlined that the government plans to ratify the Istanbul Convention after the second round of amendments are made to the national legislation, sometime in spring 2015.

Furthermore, the Georgian domestic violence related legislation has been improved and it now provides better protection to women from different forms of violence. The package of legislative amendments aimed at harmonization of Georgian legislation with the Istanbul Convention provisions that has been developed with UNJP’s technical support (also in close partnership with UNICEF in relation to children’s rights) was adopted in October 2014 without major alterations. The package among other issues introduces the concept of “forced marriage” (by adding a new article 150/1) to the Criminal Code of Georgia. Also, “neglect” as a new form of domestic violence, in reference to the lack of fulfillment of parental duties in respect to children, has been added to the Domestic Violence Law. Pursuant to the requirement of the Istanbul Convention, the package pays special attention to the question of accommodation of a victim/survivor of domestic violence. According to the protective or restrictive order, the police will be authorized to detach the offender from the place of residence of the victim even when the place of residence of the victim is the property of the offender (see summary of the legislative amendment in Annex 2.1).

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During 17-21 November 2014, UNJP organized a study tour to Spain for the members of the executive, legislative and judicial branches of the Government of Georgia as well as local self-governments aimed at building capacity of the inter-agency coordination mechanism within the executive branch of the Government of Georgia (“DV Council”) in the area of elimination and prevention of DV by facilitating exchange of information with the respective government and civil society organizations working on the DV issues in Spain. The study tour further aimed at increasing awareness and fostering learning among members of the DV Council (and other members of the study visit delegation) about the legislation system of the destination country with focus on laws on gender equality and the Spanish system of DV prevention and response; Learning about the experience and current practices of the Spanish system of DV prevention and response by establishing good working relations with their Spanish counterparts for experience sharing and learning; Learning about the experience and good practices on DV prevention and response in regions and municipalities in order to get acquainted with information from regional and local governments (Comunidades Autónomas and Municipios) for sharing experience and best practices.

One of the most important lessons and a main feature of the Spanish model is that all the institutions adopt a common focus derived from the recognition of the causal link between gender inequality and violence against women in all the laws and policies that aim to eradicate it. This focus is present both in the Parliament and in healthcare staff, refuge centres, the police and the justice system; existence of special courts, special police units and even a special Public Prosecutor’s Office for violence, mark Spain out from other European models. Civil society participation is vital, together with the special protocols in prevention (health) and in the rehabilitation of convicted persons. In such a complex and wide-reaching system, inter-sectorial coordination between the State and the regions (Autonomous Community and local councils) is vital; in Spain, as in most countries, the key challenge is education as a basic tool for preventing domestic violence. [NOTE: As evidence from the Study Tour we are attaching just the Study tour report as Annex 2.2 but not its numerous (about 28) annexes]

As a result of the study tour, UNJP has started to support relevant governmental agencies to adapt some of the lessons learned in Spain to the Georgian context. For example, UNJP is providing technical support to the Ministry of Corrections and Probation of Georgia to introduce the Spanish model of DV perpetrators rehabilitation in Georgia. In addition, UNJP is working with the municipalities of Tbilisi, Telavi and Zugdidi to identify possibilities for municipal funding of DV crisis centers. Moreover, UNJP has drafted legislative amendments to facilitate issuance procedure for restrictive/barring orders to ensure more efficient response and higher disclosure of DV instances. The draft amendments have been shared with the DV Council, as a result of which, the MoIA has taken the lead to submit the package for adoption to the Parliament of Georgia after consultations with the line ministries. The package is now under review of the line ministries (see draft package as Annex 2.3). UNJP is also supporting the DV Council and the MoIA to develop risk assessment methodology for DV victims/survivors based on the Spanish model.

Output 2.2.: Capacity of key policy and service delivery institutions strengthened to promote and protect women's human rights to life free from violence, especially from DV

An enabling institutional environment that allows victims/survivors of domestic violence to disclose their suffering and freely seek protection and assistance is the main result of the Joint Programme’s work at institutional level under its Outcome 2. Capacity development work has been carried out targeting different service-providers in the field of domestic violence towards increased quality of, and demand on these services and consequently a higher level of trust in these institutions among the victims/survivors of

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In order to improve police response to the instances of DV, UNJP continued its support to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia (MOIA) and NGO the Anti-Violence Network of Georgia (AVNG) in their capacity development efforts of the future and acting patrol and district police officers. On September 29, 2014 UN Women Georgia concluded a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia for the period of September 29, 2014 – December 31, 2015 (see the MoU in Annex 2.4). This MoU is the result of a long-term partnership established between UN Women office and the Ministry. As per the MoU, UN Women and the Ministry agree to further strengthen the capacity of the police forces to promote and protect women's human rights to life free from violence, especially from domestic violence (DV), and partner towards the establishment of domestic violence and gender based violence (GBV) specialized task groups within the police forces in three pilot regions of Georgia. The parties also agreed to continue to support the teaching of a course on combatting domestic violence in the Police Academy of the Ministry and last but not least to conduct a Participatory Gender Audit of the Ministry (the latter with UN Women’s core resources).

In cooperation with the Anti-Violence Network of Georgia, UN Women conducted trainings for district and patrol police officers on efficient response to DV cases based one the training programme previously developed jointly. During the reporting period, 11 training sessions were conducted at the Police Academy for patrol police officers and district inspector-investigators on domestic violence issues. In addition, 2 trainings were held in Poti, Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti region and in Sagarejo, Kakheti. Participants were provided with knowledge on the acting legislation, international standards and experience in combating DV in other countries of Europe and world; relevant skills related to proper response to DV cases and criminal proceedings. Furthermore, 5 capacity building sessions (Poti, Telavi and Tbilisi) were conducted with senior officers of the police, namely: inspector-investigators of the department of internal affairs (Inspector General’s Office) and patrol-inspectors of the main division of the Tbilisi Patrol Police Department with the aim of strengthening their skills on domestic violence among those policemen, who can serve in future as multipliers for dissemination knowledge and information in domestic violence field. In total, 79 officers participated in these workshops. In addition, 14 trainings for 14 groups entitled “Domestic Violence and its Psychological Aspects” were conducted at the Police Academy of Georgia for future district police inspectors and patrol police officers, and newly graduates of police academy. In total, 395 persons completed the training. Participants were introduced to the psychological typology of DV victims and perpetrators, forms and consequences of domestic violence and the issues of identification of the victims and perpetrators. Through role-play, the attendees have practically implemented the procedures of response to DV instances and application of legal protection mechanisms. As a result of the training, participants will be able to establish proper communication with the victims and perpetrator taking into consideration the factual circumstances which will be typical for each particular case. Moreover, during the reporting period, 2 roundtable meetings were conducted in Poti and Telavi for patrol and district police officers, judges, prosecutors, social workers, representatives of local municipalities, city councils, and different NGOs with the aim of supporting the cooperation and effective coordination between relevant structures working on DV issues, where totally 30 persons participated, among them were 14 women. Participants were informed on the newly enacted legislation in relation to DV. Prosecutors and judges shared the practice of criminal proceedings related to DV offense with police officers. Challenges in the process of issuing restrictive orders were discussed

1 According to the UNJP Study on the Perceptions and Attitudes towards VAWG and DV in Tbilisi, Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti and Kakheti Regions of Georgia (2013), 53.8% of respondents are aware of the existence of the nation-wide DV hotline, whereas 39.8% are aware of the existing shelters for DV ictims/survivors.

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To develop capacities of the critical service providers to the DV victims/survivors in the law enforcement, UN Women worked together with the Georgian Bar Association (GBA) – the professional self-regulating union of Georgian lawyers - to design a training programme on domestic violence for lawyers in 2013. As a result, a comprehensive curriculum has been designed on women’s rights and domestic violence. The curriculum has been included in the GBA’s mandatory Continuous Legal Education (CLE) system with 7 credits out of 12 in total per annum. Further, 3 series of training of trainers have been conducted, as a result of which 13 trainers were selected. The selected trainers have conducted cascade trainings for 645 practicing Georgian lawyers instead of initially planned 200. According to a post-training survey conducted by GBA for its members (sample 470), 89% of the lawyers believed that the knowledge acquired at the training will be rather useful in their work and 83% of the trainees rated the content and delivery of the training positively.

UN Women further supported the Georgian Bar Association (GBA) to establish domestic violence legal clinics for BA and MA students in three universities in Tbilisi, Telavi and Zugdidi to ensure that the new graduates are equipped with the relevant knowledge and skills to provide qualified services to DV victims/survivors upon entry into the lawyer’s profession. As a result, 30 students from three universities underwent advanced training on legal matters related to gender equality and women’s rights with a special focus on domestic violence. At the end of the project, GBA organized a moot court competition on a DV case at the Tbilisi City Court with the participation of the legal clinic’s students. A special committee consisting of practicing lawyers and GBA representatives selected 9 winning students who were placed in internship programs with the PDO’s Tbilisi, Telavi and Zugdidi offices.

In cooperation with UNDP and USAID’s EWMI/JILEP program, UN Women worked with the High School of Justice of Georgia, the official judicial training body in Georgia to develop a comprehensive training program for sitting judges on gender equality, women’s rights and domestic violence issues. UN Women was directly responsible for the development of the section on domestic and international legislation regulating domestic violence (see Annex 2.5). Based on the developed training program, a training of trainers has been conducted for 5 trainer judges of the HSOJ. The trained judges will conduct a pilot training based on the developed program in early 2015 as a result of which the training program will be finalized and applied by the HSOJ independently from UN Women.

To enhance capacity of prosecutors in addressing the issues of violence against women and girls and with a special focus on domestic violence, UN Women has started collaboration with the Chief Prosecutor’s Office of Georgia (CPOG). For this purpose, UN Women has recruited an International Expert / Trainer on Women’s Rights with a Special Focus on VAWG and DV for Georgian Prosecutors to develop a training programme on gender equality and women’s rights with a special focus on VAWG and DV issues for practicing prosecutors and conduct a training of trainers for senior prosecutors in Tbilisi, Georgia. The training programme will be finalized and training of trainers followed by cascade trainings of 100 prosecutors will be conducted in the first quarter of 2015

As a result of UNJP support to the State Fund for the Protection and Assistance to the Victims of Human Trafficking (State Fund) another (third) shelter for DV victims/survivors has been established in Kutaisi, West Georgia and is now operational. The shelter has the capacity to host up to 15 victims/survivors. As a result of UNJP’s advocacy efforts with the MoLHSA, an agreement was reached to establish one more (fourth) shelter in the Kakheti region (West Georgia), as savings made by the State Fund allowed for it. The Minister of Health shared formal communication with UN Women committing that the state funding for both shelters – in Kutaisi and Kakheti will be secured in the state budget as of May 2015. As a result, the network of DV shelters consisting of four facilities (in Tbilisi, Gori, Kutaisi and Kakheti) will ensure fair geographic coverage of the country. Furthermore, the state budget allotments for DV services have increased by 54% between 2012 and 2014 (see Annex 2.6 for details). During the reporting period, 1182

Page 13 of 46 beneficiaries received consultations on the nation-wide DV hotline 2 309 903 and 114 victims/survivors were used shelter services (see Annex 2.6 for details).

In order to improve gender mainstreaming within the PDO and improve its response to gender-related cases, including complaints on domestic violence issues, UN Women supported the PDO to develop and adopt its Gender Equality Strategy and Action Plan for 2014-2016 developed (see Annex 2.7). It is the first ever government agency in Georgia to adopt a gender mainstreaming action plan. Protection of women’s rights and promotion of gender equality are one of the main priorities of the PDO’s work. The gender equality strategy and action plan for 2014-2016 determine the directions and priorities of the PDO’s work and is a tool for gender mainstreaming in different structural entities and activities of the PDO. The progress of the implementation of the strategy and action plan will be evaluated on an annual basis and revised as necessary. Furthermore, the strategy and action plan have been integrated into administrative and budget plans of the PDO for 2015. UNJP organized training for the staff of different departments of the PDO on gender equality and women’s rights issues. In addition, UN Women supported the PDO GED to develop a monitoring tool of services for DV victims/survivors (DV shelters and hotline) to ensure high quality and compliance with national as well as international standards. The monitoring tool has been tested and the report is under development to be finalized in early 2015. The monitoring tool has been institutionalized with the PDO GED and will be used on an annual basis.

For further enhancement of the DV response in general, the role of social workers in the prevention and response to the instances of domestic violence should be extended. For this purpose, UN Women has worked with the Georgian Association of Social Workers (GASW) – a professional union unifying almost all social workers in Georgia from both the governmental and non-governmental sectors and established a working group in partnership with the MoLHSA to develop a national concept on the social workers role and mandate in DV prevention and response. As a result, a zero draft concept has been developed to be finalized in 2015. In addition, in order to strengthen capacities of the social workers for a more efficient response to DV, GASW has developed a training module for social workers on domestic violence issues. Furthermore, GASW has strengthened the social workers curriculum in relation to social worker’s role in combating DV within the social work undergraduate and graduate academic programs at the Tbilisi State University.

UN Women has continued its support to the Women’s Consultation Centre “Sakhli” in the establishment of the model crisis center for DV victims/survivors in Tbilisi. This was done in line with the relevant international standards and best practices and based on the concept on model crisis centers developed by Sakhli in 2012 which is pending for review and adoption by the DV Council. The model crisis center is operational as of December 2012. During the reporting period the crisis center provided its services to 149 DV victims/survivors, including short-term accommodation services to 54 victims/survivors, individual psychological consultations to 97 beneficiaries, legal services to 36 victims/survivors and medical services to 30 beneficiaries

UN Women supported the Women’s Employment Support Association “Amagdari” to develop a draft concept on the socio-economic rehabilitation of the DV victims/survivors looking both at local expertise and international best practices. The document has been developed based on a comprehensive research and analysis of the existing international experience and best practices, as well as on the evaluation of over five years of work of Amagdari in terms of socio-economic rehabilitation of DV victims/survivors and a mapping of the existing state and private vocational education providers and employment services. The draft concept has been presented to the stakeholders from the government and civil society and is now being finalized. The concept is expected to be completed in 2015. Further, Amagdari continued to provide its vocational education and job placement services to beneficiaries (victims/survivors of DV). More specifically, during the reporting period, 140 beneficiaries were trained in public relations,

Page 14 of 46 business administration, IT skills, accounting, tourism operations, project management, banking and finance, pharmacology and etc. The training were provided by Amagdari, as well as beneficiaries were placed in state funded vocational education institutions (10). Some 50 women were provided with employment/internship (60% were still employed by December 2014), out of which 20 were employed after completion of the training provided by Amagdari.

Output 2.3: Public awareness raised to support prevention and disclosure of the instances of GBV and DV.

The work under Output 2.3 of the Joint Programme at grassroots level aims at supporting prevention as well as disclosure of the instances of domestic violence, aiming specifically to a) increase awareness among the target audiences of the problem of violence against women and domestic violence in particular, b) encourage disclosure of the instances of DV and promote the use of the existing victim support services; c) prevent violence from occurring in the longer run by promoting zero tolerance with regard to violence against women in general and DV in particular as they constitute criminal offences.

Successful communication activities have been conducted in the frameworks of UNiTE to End Violence against Women Campaign, 16 days of activism against gender based violence and HeforShe campaigns in partnership with celebrities from the fields of arts and sports in Georgia. Over 100,000 people have been reached though UN Women awareness raising initiatives to support prevention and disclosure of the instances of violence against women and domestic violence (such as inter-active performances, sports’ events, media and publicity activities and public lectures). For a detailed media monitoring, please refer to the Annex 2.7.

UN Women recruited a prominent British journalist and expert in gender-sensitive and ethical reporting Ms. Hannah Storm to develop a training module for journalists and bloggers on gender-sensitive and ethical reporting on VAWG and DV related issues. Some 21 journalists were selected throughout Georgia to participate in the training. As a result, 9 articles/stories were developed by the journalists on VAWG/DV related issues and placed in different print and social media publications. UN Women marked the International Women’s Day, March 8, 2014 by launching an exhibition “the Interior of Violence" - an interactive performance with elements of verbatim theater staged by actors and actresses of Georgia’s Kote Marjanishvili State Drama Theatre. Visitors have taken active part in a special installation in the form of house interior to experience live stories written by Georgian journalists, bloggers, and photo- correspondents on violence against women and domestic violence issues. The stories were result of the above-mentioned workshop conducted by UN Women on gender-sensitive and ethical reporting for 21 journalist on violence against women and domestic violence on January 25-27 2014. As a follow-up to the training, the journalists developed special reports illustrated with photographs and other graphic material covering issues related to violence against women and domestic violence that were integrated and displayed during the interactive performance. The “Interior of Violence” was performed two more times in different locations in 2014 (a video on the performance can be accessed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=605faISjsqk). Furthermore, one of the participants of the training Eka Kevanishvili was awarded as the winner of the first prize of the PDO’s competition “Journalists for Women’s Rights. Two more participants of the training Sopo Aptsiauri and Tatia Khaliani were awarded the 3rd prize for the article “Women in the endless cycle of violence” developed as a result of the aforementioned training. In addition, Eka Kevanishvili’s radio report was awarded a prize for the best radio report by the Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics. Furthermore, UN Women in cooperation with Ms. Storm is in the process of developing a curriculum in gender-sensitive and ethical reporting for BA journalism programs in 6 universities in Tbilisi to be completed in the first quarter of 2015.

On the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on 25 November

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2014, UN Women launched UN Women’s solidary movement for gender equality – HeForShe (http://www.heforshe.org/) campaign in Georgia. Nine prominent men, supporters of gender equality, including the Speaker of the Parliament of Georgia, Public Defender, UN Resident Coordinator, Ambassador of the United States of America, Ambassador of the EU, Head of the EU Monitoring Mission, Ambassador of the Republic of Estonia, Secretary General of the Georgian Football Federation, and Representative of the Georgian Rugby Union have also added their voices to the HeForShe movement. The signatories invited men and boys in Georgia to join some 200,000 men and boys globally who have committed themselves to take actions in support of gender equality so far. On the same day, UN Women organized a high-level meeting with over 100 participants, representatives of the Parliament of Georgia, government, UN and international organizations, diplomatic corps, donors and civil society organizations to review progress made in the past year in preventing and combatting violence against women and girls and discuss gaps and ways forward. The meeting re-confirmed commitment among relevant stakeholders to strengthen cooperation and coordination and prevent and respond more effectively to all forms of violence against women and girls. Events organized by UN Women in the frameworks of 16 days of activism campaign resulted in over 100 media coverages.

Successful communication activities have been conducted in the framework of the UNiTE to End Violence against Women Campaign around the International Refugee Day in June 2014 targeting refugees from Chechnya, especially boys and young men, residing in Pankisi Gorge of Georgia. The national junior rugby teams of Argentina, Georgia, Italy, and Spain taking part in the International Rugby Board Cup 2014 (organized in Georgia), arrived in Pankisi to join the marking of Refugee Day and promote the UNiTE Campaign (distributing rugby balls and other souvenirs with the UNiTE logo and signing posters promoting the nation-wide domestic violence hotline - the poster depicts prominent Georgian Rugby Players) and healthy lifestyle. The event was organized in close partnership with UNHCR.

UNJP continued its cooperation with the Georgian Rugby Union under the aegis of the United Nations Secretary General’s UNiTE to End Violence against Women Campaign. In the framework of this cooperation, the global campaign - 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence was launched with the international match Japan vs. Georgia National Rugby Teams which was dedicated to the elimination of violence against women and girls. On November 22, at the special pre-match press conference, the Chief Coach of the Georgian National Rugby Team, Milton Haig expressed the support of the Georgian National Rugby Team towards the UNiTE to End Violence against Women Campaign. Thousands of Georgian fans gathered at the Mikheil Meskhi Stadium for the match on November 23 to support the Georgian National Rugby Team vs. Japan. The live cast was provided by the Georgian Public Broadcasting Channel. The UNiTE and HeforShe campaign banners were placed at the stadium and public service announcements starring prominent Georgian rugby players condemning violence against women were aired on the stadium screens during the match. A special man of the match award, presented by UN Women in the frameworks of the HeforShe Campaign, was given to the best player from the Georgian Team, which made the match very special.

Furthermore, on July 3, 2014 the Tbilisi Sports Palace hosted the World Fight Show in mixed martial arts version K1 co-organized by UN Women and devoted to the UN Secretary General’s UNiTE to End Violence against Women Campaign. Due to the fact, that martial arts are one of the most popular and respected sports in Georgia along with rugby, martial arts fighters, as role models of healthy masculinity, are best positioned to make changes in traditional and stereotype attitudes in the society towards these issues among boys and men. The motto of the tournament was KNOCKOUT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. All fighters were wearing armbands with the UNiTE Campaign logo thus demonstrating their commitment to the cause. UNiTE promotional materials were displayed all over the Sports Palace and were distributed to the special guests of the event. The culmination of the show was the synthesis of sport

Page 16 of 46 and arts against violence against women and domestic violence. A specially designed choreographic performance by the actors of the Kote Marjanishvili State Drama Theatre preceding the main fight between the Georgian and Japanese champions, called on over 7000 people attending the event to engage in the fight against violence against women. The event was widely covered by the local media and international sports media.

UN Women continued to operate a Facebook page promoting the nation-wide DV hotline. During the reporting period, the page directly reached out to more than 265,000 Facebook users. During this period, over 5,000 users have participated in online discussions on the page. The page was visited by opinion leaders, women activists and young people mostly.

As a result of a joint competition organized in 2013, UN Women in cooperation with the Georgian National Film Center (GNFC) produced a full-fledged documentary movie on DV and VAWG issues. The movie will be premiered on March 8, 2015

During the reporting period, UN Women organized 8 talk-shows on VAWG and DV issues on four regional television channels in Kakheti and Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti. Four public service announcements promoting the nation-wide DV hotline and two PSAs starring the Georgian National Rugby Team and MMA World Champion Giga Chikadze promoting the UN SG’s UNiTE to End Violence against Women Campaign were being aired on the Georgian Public Broadcaster and Tabula TV channel throughout the year (the videos can be accessed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCCTqllk4A0, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WhJmWsdznc). Outdoor banners promoting the nation-wide DV hotline were placed in Tbilisi, Telavi and Zugdidi (16 locations) throughout the year.

Overall, the progress towards the outcome 2 - “Creating enabling environment to eliminate violence against women (VAWG), especially domestic violence (DV)” has been significant in 2014. The most important achievements within the reporting period include the Government’s taking over funding of the third DV shelter opened in Kutaisi and fourth DV shelter to be established in Kakheti with UNJP support (54% increase of the budget between 2012-2014), signature of the Istanbul Convention, and adoption of the legislative amendments to ensure compliance with the Istanbul Convention. Expectations are high that the UNJP will reach its objectives within the planned timeframe of the programme.

Outcome 3: Gender Equality advanced by creating enabling environment to realize Sexual and Reproductive Rights of population

UNFPA is the leading agency contributing to the fulfillment of Outcome 3 of the UN JP. The outcome has been dedicated to creating favorable policy and sociocultural environment through integrating Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights and gender equality principles to relevant policies and action plans and promoting reproductive health and rights’ education in order to reduce inequalities and redress prevailing discriminatory practices impeding overall development. Achievement of these lasting results has been sustained by the consequences of various activities implemented under the relevant outputs.

Output 3.1: Enhanced capacity of policy makers to integrate Gender Equality and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights into the population policies and national development frameworks with particular focus on youth

Mainstreaming human rights and gender equality principles in the policy frameworks is core for the sustainable democratic development, therefore, is the focus under Output 3.1 of the UN JP. Throughout the reporting period, UNFPA continued strengthening policy advocacy for integration of youth SRH&RR and development issues into the national development agenda by hosting public lectures conducted by a

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Swedish statistician, public speaker and the co-founder of the Gapminder Foundation, Mr. Hans Rosling. The topic of the lectures was “Investing in Youth Development and Reproductive Health – Investing in the Country’s Development”. UNFPA announced a call for participation in the public lectures, by posting information on the social media. Considering the immense public interest, it was decided to conduct two separate workshops, one for the policy makers, the other – for general public. Over 300 people attended the lectures throughout two days. Targeting policy makers - members of the Parliament and the Gender Equality Council, government officials, health sector professionals, students and other interested parties, the public lectures were the excellent opportunity to observe indispensable linkages between investing in youth health, education and participation and the country’s sustainable development. The public lectures triggered huge media interest and was highlighted by number of leading media channels, including through interviews with Mr. Rosling, thus disseminating the key messages widely in the society. Such intervention was very timely, as it preceded the elaboration of the Youth Policy Action Plan, thus strengthening the understanding of the issue and motivating the government for intensified efforts.

Through UNFPA’s technical assistance, the Government of Georgia has approved a comprehensive National Youth Policy integrating Youth SRH&R and GE issues developed in partnership with MSY. Displaying government’s commitment to support sustainable development of youth in Georgia, National Youth Policy Action Plan 2014-2020 has been finalized and approved by the Inter Agency State Council, comprised by the Deputy Ministers of all key Ministries. Participatory approach has been applied during the document elaboration process, providing forum for the different stakeholders from government, youth, NGOs and UN agencies to integrate their vision in the document. The involvement of youth in the document elaboration process has been imperative for ensuring synergies between the youth perspective and governmental commitments. Therefore, Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs of Georgia in partnership with UNFPA and UNICEF organized the National Conference on “National Youth Policy 2014-2020 Action Plan Development” for youth and youth NGOs. Their proposals, views, and recommendations were reflected in the draft of the action plan to be submitted later to the Government of Georgia for review and ultimate approval.

In order to ensure the proper implementation and fulfillment of the commitments set forth in the Action Plan, UNFPA also continued its policy support in elaborating the monitoring mechanism for the Action Plan. Subsequently, a working group meeting was organized by UNFPA in partnership with MSY for the representatives of the Inter Agency State Council on “Monitoring and Evaluation Mechanisms of implementation of National Youth Policy Action Plan for 2014-2020”. The draft annual monitoring plan has been developed by the members of the Inter-Agency Council, chaired by the MSY, in order to set effective mechanisms for monitoring the implementation of the programs by the key ministries, as per 2014-2020 action plan. Due to the UNFPA expertise and policy advocacy, gender equality and SRH&RR issues are fully integrated in the documents, ensuring youth’s access to high-quality and age-appropriate reproductive health information and services.

During the reporting period, UNFPA/Georgia has supported opening opportunities for young people to engage in a policy dialogue on incorporating youth issues into national development strategies, expanding access to gender-sensitive sexual and reproductive health education, promoting a core package of health services and commodities for young people, and encouraging youth leadership and participation. In order to increase youth participation, consider young people’s needs and reflect those in the upstream policy dialogue, technical assistance and support has been provided to European Youth Parliament of Georgia (EYP-Georgia) to organize interactive school sessions in the selected schools of Tbilisi and Kakheti region. The school sessions have been used as an effective forum to generate discourse on such crucial issues as, gender equality, gender-based violence SRH&RR. Through participating in the event, 183 (one hundred eighty three) students were equipped with the necessary information in order to enable them make informed decisions and develop into the responsible citizens.

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Further supporting informed decision-making process, UNFPA has continued creating quality knowledge resources on crucial issues related to human rights, gender equality, SRH&RR and population dynamics. With the close cooperation of the World Bank, a comprehensive qualitative research has been conducted on causes and perceived consequences of Gender Biased Sex Selection in Georgia. The French demographer, Prof. Guilmotto had been commissioned to elaborate the national report based on the findings of the qualitative research as well as analysis of the quantitative population data available in Georgia in order to shed light on the issue of sex imbalances in Georgia and explore its projected consequences. The overall goal of the initiative was to provide policy recommendations using hard evidence for addressing acute social problem. Therefore, the report has been generated in 2014 for further validation and discussion with the partners and the key stakeholders. The main findings of the national report and the policy recommendations will be publicly shared early in 2015 with the possible collaboration of the WB.

Output 3.2: Strengthened SRH&R strategies and services to address health system response to Domestic Violence (DV)

Responding to the crucial need of strengthening the National Referral Mechanism on DV through strengthening health care system response to Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence, UNFPA has continued cooperation with the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Social Affairs of Georgia and the State Fund. Recommendations on Revealing, Referring, and Documenting the Cases of Physical, Sexual and Psychological Violence against Women and Children (Recommendations) fully harmonized with the WHO 2013 Policy Guideline on the subject, has been further subjected to the scrutiny in order to refine the recommendations and set steps for its practical implementation and integration in the health system. Workshops have been held with the participation of the high officials from the Ministry, including the Deputy Minister of Health Ms. Jashi and Deputy Minister of Corrections Mr. Talakvadze, in order to operationalize the Recommendations and identify relevant state programs for funding services for the victims of DV/VAW. The two Ad Hock Working Groups set at this workshop have elaborated the special additions for the emergency and in-patient cards for better documenting cases of violence against women and offering effective referral to the victims of violence. Relevant legislative amendments have been prepared for implementing the innovation in practice. The suggested package of recommendations and amendments will undergo the final validation before its operationalization. Meanwhile, the training module is being prepared based on training module drafted by Women Against Violence Europe (hereinafter “WAVE”), a regional partner of the UNFPA Eastern Europe and Central Asia Regional Office in the area of strengthening health system response to GBV/DV. UNFPA has ensured involvement of the national experts in order to adapt the WAVE training manual to the national context and effectively depict the requirements set forth in the Recommendations.

For further supporting the training manual elaboration process, UNFPA in collaboration with the UNFPA Regional Office for Eastern Europe and Central Asia hosted an EECA Regional workshop conducted based on the WAVE module by engaging organization’s experts. The overall aim of the training was to familiarize health care professionals with the module and provide practical tips for piloting trainings in the respective regions. The involvement of 9 (nine) Georgian health care professionals with different professional backgrounds have been secured in the training, thus, preparing a sufficient pool of trainers for unfolding training sessions throughout the selected regions of the country.

Output 3.3: Gender Equality and SRH&R promoted through an enabling sociocultural environment

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Throughout the reporting period, UNFPA/Georgia has advanced its efforts to bridge the awareness gap and stimulate the demand for reproductive rights and greater gender equality amongst various groups of rights-holders by educating target groups, such as youth, men, media representatives, etc. In order to address the needs and reproductive health and rights concerns of young people UNFPA/Georgia sustained number of youth related and awareness raising events in 2014. The efforts for changing the public perception on crucial social issues have been designed and implemented through multifaceted interventions.

In absence of formal education on SRH issues, the civil society organizations have been supported to expand Peer Education trainings as a significant tool for informal education of young people about gender equality, SRH&RR as a cornerstone of young people’s transition to adulthood, influencing outcomes for youth across a range of issues. The trainings were focused on raising the awareness of young generation on sensitive issues, such as gender equality, HIV/AIDS, sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights, domestic violence, etc. and equipping them with the knowledge and skills to disseminate correct messages and information among their peers. Male involvement for challenging prevailing stereotypes regarding gender roles has been integrated in the trainings as a crosscutting issue. In the reporting period, four (4) additional trainings were conducted reaching out to around 100 young people directly. Trained peer educators are encouraged to act as the multipliers of information guiding peers to have access to the reliable information on SRH&RR issues in Georgia, including ethnic minorities, vulnerable youth.

Bearing in mind that educating young people from the early age is crucial for changing generation’s perception regarding gender equality, domestic violence and sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights, UNFPA/Georgia continued strategic cooperation with the Center for Information and Counseling on Reproductive Health Tanadgoma (“NGO Tanadgoma”) to implement the project “My Rights” in the secondary schools in Tbilisi and Kakheti Region in 2014. The overall goal of the initiative was to raise the awareness of high school children on some aspects of human rights issues, gender-based and domestic violence, gender equality and reproductive health and rights. The initiative has served as an effective forum to involve multiple target groups, such as students, teachers, and parents. 179 (one hundred seventy nine) school-children received relevant information through 12 (twelve) training sessions and were provided opportunity to express their concerns and needs towards the above-mentioned issues. Further reiterating the importance of incorporating GE and SRH&RR issues in the education system, a separate workshop has been conducted for schoolteachers and principals with the close cooperation of the National Center for Teacher Professional Development (“Center”). The aims of the workshop were to generalize results achieved through the implementation of “My Rights”, increase teachers’ awareness on the sensitivity of educating young generation, and highlight the obstacles faced by the teachers while talking about GE and SRH&RR. The workshop was co-chaired by the Deputy Minister of Education and Science of Georgia, Mrs. Lia Gigauri, thus emphasizing government’s commitment to address the demand and take the ownership over the process. 25 (twenty five) teachers from all the participating schools were actively involved in the workshop, acknowledging the gap in the education system in terms of sexuality education and discussing the ways to overcome the obstacles. Overall, the project implementation revealed the crucial need of enhancing formal education through integrating gender equality and SRH&RR principles. The enormous interest of young people and teachers, particularly in the regions, clearly depicted the existing gap in the education system.

As a result of the long-term advocacy, building on the results achieved through pilot project “My Rights” and pursuant to the experience shared during the study visit of the Georgian delegation in Scotland in 2013, Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia has acknowledged the crucial need of integrating gender equality and SRH&RR principles in the formal education system. Therefore, the Ministry has initiated an extensive undertaking for revisiting and amending National Education Plan and specific subjects, where UNFPA has been singled out as a key partner in the process. According to the Minister of

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Education and Science of Georgia, National Concept on Youth Harmonious and Healthy Development, developed in 2009 with the UNFPA-EU active support, will be used as a main reference document during the working process. In 2014 UNFPA started providing technical expertise to the Ministry of Education in revising the National Education Plan and enhancing specific subjects with the evidence-based information on gender equality, SRH&RR, DV, etc. The support will be continued in 2015 and will also encompass the parents’ education in the field.

Acknowledging that gender inequalities undermine health and development, UNFPA affirms that engaging men and boys as partners for equality is a crosscutting aspect of many development goals. Therefore, UN JP has applied holistic approach through various traditional and non-traditional techniques and sustained number of gender transformative initiatives in order to challenge misconceptions about gender roles, entitle men and boys to play their role as caring, supportive and non-violent partners, and contribute significantly to attaining greater gender equality. In order to tailor information campaign correctly and deliver evidence-based messages, UNFPA in partnership with the government and the civil commissioned survey “Men and Gender Relation in Georgia”. The survey was conducted by a local research organization, the Institute of Social Studies and Analysis (ISSA), in order to gather data on men’s attitudes and practices – along with women’s opinions and experiences of men’s practices – on a wide variety of topics related to gender inequality. The main findings of the survey were validated with the wide spectrum of the stakeholders, such as, governmental and civil society representatives, media, etc. The vivid inequality in many aspects of family relationships depicted by the survey served as a powerful tool for accentuating the extent of the problem. Using data, key findings of the survey were translated into info graphics delivering the right message to the society in a quick and innovative way to strengthen public advocacy. Moreover, a special video animation was created highlighting the main findings of the survey. These visual storytelling techniques attracted various media outlets and numerous TV shows, radio programs, newspaper articles, and blogs were dedicated to the issue. These issues have been featured in 19 articles, 4 blog posts, and 37 various TV shows (60 media pieces in total) throughout the year.

The evidence based approach to highlighting the problem generated great discussions among youth as well. “Men and Gender Relations in Georgia” report was frequently cited by random participants or celebrities during various talk shows dedicated to gender inequality and violence. The social media has also been used as a powerful mean for reaching out to the wider spectrum of society. In order to ensure youth participation in the awareness raising program, students were encouraged to develop a small scale awareness raising campaign regarding the issues singled out by the survey. As a results, two students have been selected who created a Facebook page “Daddy, Read Me a Book”, where viewers were offered scientific articles on the importance of fathers’ involvement in raising their children, short video stories with the participation of the celebrity fathers talking about the men’s important role in the harmonious development of the families (10 video clips in total). Considering the importance of the religious leaders in shaping the public opinion, several videos have been created with the participation of the orthodox priests, which had been an effective tool for calling for a behavior changes. The page managed to deliver the messages effectively, encouraging people to share personal pictures and experience.

Further building on the publicity generated through the page, celebrity book reading events were arranged, where famous fathers were reading short tales to children and delivering messages to the parents. The success of the intervention can be measured through the number of fathers bringing their children to attend the event with just disseminating the information through the page “Daddy, Read me a Book”. In total, eight (8) reading sessions have been arranged throughout the project (3 months period at the end of 2014). Since launching the Facebook page (June 3, 2014), it had remarkable outreach counting for total 19,158 likes and 7,000 unique people visiting the page each day. The biggest reach day was Dec 2, 2014 when 200,000 unique people viewed the page's posts. While working on the campaign, UNFPA

Page 21 of 46 has also managed to sustain partnerships with the private sector providing in-kind contribution throughout the project implementation: the private bookstores contributed space and human resources to arrange the book readings, while private publishing houses provided books as gifts for children. Through the campaign, UNFPA has managed to attract public interest and to create demand for further discussing the issue of male involvement. Several independent TV channels have picked up the topic and dedicated separate talk shows to the issues of fatherhood with no involvement from UNFPA’s side counting for the sustainability of the cause promoted by UN JP. Therefore, UNFPA has created the momentum and generated public discourse on the issue disregarded previously.

Aiming at changing harmful social norms and values, UNFPA has also continued working with the CSOs in the reporting period. A second round of the small grants competition organized in Kakheti Region has revealed 3 (three) local organizations to implement small scale public advocacy campaigns in the local communities. The organizations targeted youth, women, and young adults to discuss the importance of gender equality for the harmonious development of the society, the devastating effect of the GBV on the community and the importance of respecting women’s sexuality and reproductive rights. The activities conducted on the grassroots level ranged from peer education campaigns to meetings/roundtables with women, awareness raising initiatives in the community, competitions for youth, etc. In total over 6,000 people were reached through the intervention and received direct or indirect benefits from the initiatives.

The aspiration to educate public was further strengthened by educating representatives of media on the sensitive issues, like gender equality, domestic violence, sexual and reproductive rights, and how to report in a sensitive manner on the above issues, and maintain balanced portrayal of men and women. UNFPA, UNDP and UN Women unified resources and expertise to conduct media training for 19 (nineteen) TV and radio journalists. A two-day trainings was led by an international trainer, Hannah Storm, a journalist with 15 years of experience with BBC, Reuters, The Times, etc. Participants discussed the importance of maintaining balance when covering gender-related matters, highlighting the sensitivity of the issues. Based on the practical examples, participants observed commonly made mistakes and acquired practical skills for avoiding the stereotypes and misconceptions.

Awareness raising component under Outcome 3.3 has been further advanced through cooperating with the Radio GIPA at the Georgian Institute of Public Affairs (GIPA). Within the frameworks of the cooperation, young people have prepared and aired the radio programs on social issues, such as, gender equality, reproductive health and rights, healthy life style, life without drugs, HIV/AIDS, pregnancy and motherhood, male involvement in attaining gender equality, etc. The evidence-based resources generated by UNFPA, as well as the expert opinions and young people’s perceptions have been used and synchronized within the content of radio programmes to sustain the increased interest of the listeners on the above-mentioned issues.

Overall, Outcome 3 - “Gender Equality advanced by creating enabling environment to realize Sexual and Reproductive Rights of population” has proved to be successful in 2013. Working simultaneously on the policy, institutions and grass-root level has been strategically important for creating more conducive and enabling environment for the realization of the sexual and reproductive health and rights and gender equality principles. The activities implemented, including the capacity development interventions, have supported building the political will to introduce gender-sensitive youth policies addressing Youth SRH&R issues and gender equality. The progress is evident in the process of making the health system response to GBV/DV well defined and integrated in the national referral mechanism on DV. Strengthened Partnerships with the media representatives, youth rights’ activists and civil society has been an important determinant for increasing awareness on gender equality, domestic violence, reproductive health and reproductive rights among the general public and most importantly, among the youth and male population in the target regions.

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Qualitative Assessment

Overall, 2014 was a successful year for the UNJP. With the Parliament and Government more actively engaging and promoting the gender equality agenda, the activities under the Programme were smoothly implemented during the year. The 2014 local elections did not affect the program. The activities were planned and realized correspondingly.

Creation of the coordination mechanism for gender equality in the executive branch was an important milestone for institutionalization of gender equality agenda. To ensure sustainable implementation of the National Human Rights Strategy 2014-2020 and its Action Plan (NHRSAP), UNDP in coordination with other key international partners, advocated for the establishment of HR Inter-Agency Coordination Council chaired by the Prime Minister, which coordinates and supervises implementation of the AP. Thematic working groups, including on Gender Equality, were created under the Council that meet on a monthly basis to discuss implementation of activities by responsible agencies. During the reporting period key emphasis was placed on gradually transferring knowledge and increasing responsibilities of the local stakeholders. Increasing involvement of the executive branch in implementing gender equality activities, including gender budgeting, is the significant factor of ensuring sustainability of results.

It is noteworthy that the disclosure of the DV instances has dramatically increased above target as evidenced by the increased number of restrictive and protective orders issued and criminal prosecutions initiated during the reporting period, which is to a significant extent due to the extensive public awareness efforts undertaken within the UNJP. UNJP invested a lot of efforts and creativity to promote zero tolerance towards VAWG as well as existing victim/survivor support services. As a result, not only more victims/survivors have used shelter services regardless of temporary dysfunctionality of the DV status granting group, as well as hotline services, but also, the duty-bearers have shown increased commitment to the cause of elimination and prevention of DV and VAWG which is evidenced by the government’s allocation of funds for the third DV shelter opened in Kutaisi and commitment to fund the fourth DV shelter to be established in Kakheti with UNJP support, signature of the Istanbul Convention and adoption of the legislative amendments aimed at the harmonization of the Georgian legal framework with the requirements of Istanbul Convention. Therefore, UNJP will build on the results achieved and continue to advocate a) with central as well as local governments to endorse the DV crisis center standards and provide funding for such crises centers’ functioning in pilot municipalities, b) with the Ministry of Internal Affairs to further strengthen specialized police units for SGBV and DV related crimes and c) with relevant government structures to ensure more active engagement of social workers in DV prevention and response.

Partnerships with the DV Council as well as its member governmental agencies, the individual ministries and the legislature have been critical in reaching the aforementioned results. Regular consultations with these agencies have significantly contributed to the sharing of a joint vision with regard to the efforts to be undertaken for the prevention and elimination of DV and VAWG.

The UNJP has significantly contributed to the elaboration of the Youth National Policy and the Action Plan as a strong mechanism for ensuring youth sustainable development and empowerment. Strengthening of the policy framework and institutional set up has been strongly supported through the reporting period, in particular enshrining gender mainstreaming principles across a number of policy areas, such as National Youth Policy and Action Plan 2014-2020 and bringing Georgian policy environment in line with international standards and commitments.

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The capacity development inputs provided ensured building the political will and determination to introduce as well as embark on the reforms bringing significant and persistent changes in the society. UNJP has initiated the process of gender mainstreaming in the education system through as systematic review of National Education Plan and the specific subjects for incorporating sexual and reproductive health and rights principles in the formal education system.

UNJP has continued generating evidence-based, original knowledge resources on the previously unexplored issues such as Gender Biased Sex Selection and Male Involvement. The findings of the researches will be extensively used for leading the policy advocacy on the crucial issues impeding development.

UNJP has also succeeded in instigating highly recognizable public awareness campaigns on gender stereotypes, the perceptions and roles of men, and the role of fathers in upbringing their children. Eventually, through correctly planned initiatives, UNJP has managed to reinforce the interest of the society towards the issues disregarded previously and reinstate the importance of male involvement in attaining gender equality.

UN Coordination, and management of the programme

The Joint Program Steering Committee co-chaired by the UN Resident Coordinator and the Chair of the Parliamentary Council for Gender Equality has convened at the launching of the program and approved the first year annual plan for implementation. The First Vice-Speaker of the Parliament, Chair of the Gender Equality Council co-chairs the Steering Committee. The Steering Committee meets annually in the first quarter of each year to approve the annual report and the workplan for the program activities.

The Joint Program Coordination Team has successfully worked throughout the reporting period. Program activities were effectively coordinated on a monthly basis by the team and a monthly calendar of events has been developed to ensure smooth implementation of activities, especially in public events. As a result, the three components jointly participated in the Gender Week 2014, 16 Days of Activism against Gender- based Violence Campaign in December 2014 and UN week 2014.

The Joint Program Management Unit has formed a unified programme team that operates in coordination on a daily basis. The program components occupy a single office space. All management and organizational issues are solved jointly. The program team has compiled a unified calendar of events, database of stakeholders and continuously shares information on implementation and achievements of each component. Each joint or component document is drafted in a coordinated manner.

Page 24 of 46 ii) Indicator Based Performance Assessment: Achieved Indicator Targets Reasons for Variance with Planned Source of Verification Target (if any) Outcome 1: Enhanced women’s political and In 2014 local self-government elections 11.6% Unemployment rate for 2014 will be Data from Legislative, executive economic empowerment females took seats in local self-government. released in May, 2015 and judicial authorities; Data Indicator: from local authorities: - Number of women at decision making Women at Ministerial Positions – 15.8 % (3 positions increased; women ministers out of 16 Ministers and 3 State Geostat - Household Budget - Increase in Women's employment rates and Ministers) Survey, Labor Survey, Statistical their earnings (in absolute and in relative information on employment and terms) Decreasing gap between men's and In 2014, 11% of paliamentary seats were retained earnings women's employment and earnings by female candidates.

Baseline: 6% in Parliament; 11% in local self- Unemployment rate (2013): women 12.3%, men governance; 16% in government (2011). 16.5%, pay gap - 63 tetri/1 GEL (2013).

11% in Parliament; 11% in local self- governance; 21% in government (2012). 11.3% in Parliament; 11% in self-government; 21% in government (2013)

- unemployment rate - women 13.1%, men 16.7%; pay gap - 57 tetri/1 GEL (2011).

-unemployment rate – women 13.8%, men 16.1%; pay gap – 60 tetri/1 GEL (2012)

Planned Target: - 10% parliament, 15% local self-governance, 20% - government

Output 1.1 Improved policy and institutional Parliamentary web-site; framework for advancing gender equality GEC web-site; agenda Governmental/parliamentary decree on adoption of the GE Indicator 1.1.1 Number of laws reviewed1.1.1. and 10 laws (package of amendments under Istanbul NAP; specific GE measures incorporated Convention) Statements by senior executive Baseline: 0 (2012); 5 (2013) officials; Planned Target: 5 Information in Media; Reports/ Assessments by CSOs; Reports of the Legal Aid, PDO, Indicator 1.1.2 NAP on GE (2014-2016) and Courts; drafted and adopted 1.1.2. NAP adopted. GeoStat Baseline: N

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Planned Target: Y

Indicator 1.1.3 Institutional mechanisms for GE at legislature (as a minimum) operational1.1.3. GEC operational and active, Baseline: Y secretariat/designated staff to be established Planned Target: Y

Indicator 1.1.4 number of public statements made by high level state officials on GE 1.1.4.issues 903 media articles in 2014 incl. radio, TV, Baseline: 270 media articles (2011); 534 internet and press media articles (2012); 702 media articles (2013). Planned Target: An average annual increase by 10 %

Indicator 1.1.5 no. and substance of application of women to legal aid service, PDO and courts 1.1.5. 2014 - Legal aid (civil and administrative cases) – 1.1.5. PDO did not disaggregate the data Baseline: legal aid (civil & administrative 8,263 In 2014 cases) – 8,630 (2011); 10,528 (2012); 10,243 by sex. It has been started in 2015. (2013) Courts – N/A (2011); (2012); (2013) Courts do not collect sex disaggregated data. PDO –N/A (2013) Planned Target: An annual increase by 10 %

Indicator 1.1.6 no. of women's rights violation claims reviewed and effectively addressed by PDO; Baseline: 27 (2011); 28 (2012); 98 (2013)1.1.6. 184 cases in 2014 - 88% increase against the year Planned Target: An annual increase by 15 % 2013. Activity 1.1.1 Active and Sustainable Gender Equality Council to independently organize advocacy of Gender Equality

Indicator 1.1.1.1 Secretariat for the GEC established and funded from the State Budget Secretariat staff not established (Y/N)

Indicator 1.1.1.2 No of legislative initiatives advocated by the GEC at the parliament and 1 initiative (set of amendments to 10 laws) the proportion of successful initiatives adopted Baseline: 1 (2011); 0 (2012); 1 (2013) Target: advocacy - 10 initiatives, successful 20 %

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Indicator 1.1.1.3 CSO advisory board established and managed by the GEC (Y/N) The GEC made a decision not to formalize any special structure for its cooperation with CSOs. However, they successfully work on ad hoc basis as issues arise. Activity 1.1.2 Current Gender Equality NAP effectively implemented with involvement of relevant executives and the next one adopted with realistic targets

Indicator 1.1.2.1 - The proportion of implementation of NAP actions; 25% of NAP implementation during the first year Baseline: 60% (2012); 70% (2013) Target: 50 %

Indicator 1.1.2.2 No of GEC monitoring No GEC recommendations issued recommendations addressed by the executive in their actions. Target: 30 %

Indicator 1.1.2.3 level of involvement of executive in preparation of the next NAP N/A Target: At least 3 agencies actively involved. 100% involved (2013) Activity 1.1.3 Public awareness on GE raised; Women are better able to claim their rights as per the fundamental principles of HR

Indicator 1.1.3.1 no. of CSOs (national and regional) actively working on the issue 45 active Gender CSOs in 2014 Baseline: 44 (2012); 44 (2013) Target: an annual increase by 10 %

Indicator 1.1.3.2 - Proportion of the people aware of the GE issues and sensitive to the problems Next perception study planned in 2016

63.8% aware of GE issues (public perception study 2013) Target: increase by 20 %

Indicator 1.1.3.2 No and nature of gender

Page 27 of 46 based discrimination issues addressed to PDO. Baseline: 27 (2011); 28 (2012); 98 (2013) Target: An annual increase by 15 % 184 cases in 2014; Increase by 88 percent

Indicator 1.1.3.3 - No and nature of women's claims at the Legal Aid service and Courts. Baseline: legal aid (civil & administrative cases) – 8,630 (2011); 10,528 (2012); 10,243 (2013). Courts do not collect sex disaggregated data. Courts – N/A 2014 - Legal aid (civil and administrative cases) – Target: An annual increase by 10 % 8,263

Output 1.2 Gender responsive policies applied Government/parliament by key national and Local authorities decisions; Decisions of local authorities; Indicator 1.2.1- production of regular sex NGO Assessments; disaggregated data formalized by the Geostat regularly uploads sex disaggregated data No formalization by government decree Reports of Media government decree on the web required Baseline: Y Planned Target: Y

Indicator 1.2.2 -number of substantive measures of central/local authorities to expand No change. Advocacy work underway The interest and commitment on gender gender analysis of key national and local analysis is yet to be generated within the programs undertaken new government. Baseline: 0 Planned Target: an annual increase by 10 %) Activity 1.2.1. Institutional mechanisms for a regular production of sex-disaggregated data established for informed policy-making and implementation

Indicator 1.2.1.1 "Women and Man" publication by the GEOSTAT. (Y/N) No, the brochure is published bi-annually

Indicator 1.2.1.2 A special web-page in the site of the GEOSTAT, providing sex- Gender statistics is regularly updated in PC-AXIS desegregated data (Y/N) Database of GEOSTAT. Activity 1.2.2. MOED and MOES have the capacity to analyze the impact of their programs on women and men and observe differences in provided opportunities

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Indicator 1.2.2.1 Gender analysis of the key programmes implemented by MOES and No change. The interest and commitment on gender MOED available; (Y/N) analysis is yet to be generated within the new government Activity 1.2.3 Local authorities consider gender differences while planning and delivering local services (in pilot municipalities)

Indicator 1.2.3.1 Analysis of the local budgets Budgets in the targeted regions analyzed. The from Gender perspective demonstrating the positive dynamics demonstrated between 2014 positive dynamics (Y/N) and 2015 local budgets. Output 1.3 Local women empowered CEC reports; economically and politically through better opportunities for income generation and Interview reports with the political participation beneficiaries;

Indicator 1.3.1- Women candidates running 26.8 % of all candidates 2014 on local elections for local elections; Baseline: 0 Planned Target: 20 % of the all candidates

Indicator 1.3.2- Number of households To be precisely assessed. /women that improved their economic/social conditions as a result of the programme Baseline: 0 Planned Target: at least 180

Indicator 1.3.3 Ratio of women employed after the trainings 87.5% self-employment in agriculture and 68% Baseline: 0 (2011); 28% (2012); 60 (2013) employment after completing the trainings. (2014) Planned Target: 60 % Activity 1.3.1. Women's income generation opportunities increased in pilot regions

Indicator 1.3.1.1. number and proportion of successful income generation projects and To be precisely assessed; beneficiaries Target: projects - 180, beneficiaries 500

Indicator 1.3.1.2. number of women trained Baseline: 55 (2012); 360 (2013) Target: 450 472 women trained Activity 1.3.2. Women's participation and

Page 29 of 46 activity enhanced in economic and political processes (local decision-making)

Indicator 1.3.2.1 no. of initiatives advocated by active women at least at the local level 250 (134 in Kakheti and 116 in Samegrelo) Target: 20 (1,250%)

Indicator 1.3.2.2. Proportion of initiatives that found solution after women's advocacy Target: 30 % 82 (33%) initiatives included in local budgets.

Outcome 2 Enabling environment to Indicator 2.1:2 Nothing to report External evaluation report; eliminate violence against women, especially During 2012: DV NAP 2011-2012 monitoring domestic violence created in Georgia 361 restrictive orders issued (174% increase) report; No data available at this time on the number of CEDAW concluding comments Indicator 2.1: Increase of the number of protective orders issued in 2012 and observations to Georgia’s 4-5 protective and restrictive orders issued by periodic reports the judiciary and police respectively. During 2013: Baseline: 132 restrictive and 34 395 criminal cases (47 in 2012) inter alia 236 protective orders in 2010 (9 months) prosecutions that resulted in 170 convictions; Planned Target: 10-20% 57 protective orders (54 in 2012) 241 approved restrictive orders (294 in 2012) 75% increase in the number of registered DV cases as compared to 2012 - target has been met and even surpassed.

During 2014: 480 criminal investigations have been initiated into domestic violence crimes under the articles 111-1261 of the Criminal Code of Georgia. Some Indicator 2.2: Increase in the state 902 restrictive orders and 87 protective orders budget allocations for DV issues by 2013. have been issued - an almost threefold increase in Baseline: GEL 773,000 allocated p.a. (DV the number of restrictive orders between 2012- and TIP) Planned Target: 10-20% 2014

Indicator 2.1: a 54% increase in the budget allocations for DV issues between 2012 and 2014 State budget. (in 2012 DV only 349,676.93GEL and in 2014 DV only 538,493.89GEL) – target has been met and even surpassed.

2 Data provided by the Supreme Court of Georgia and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia

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Output 2.1 National laws and policies on domestic violence improved in line with international commitments (DEVAW CEDAW, Beijing Platform for Action) Indicator 2.1.1 N17/07/01 Decree of the President of Indicator 2.1.1 DV NAP 2013-2015 Indicator 2.1.1 DV NAP for 2013-2015 Georgia on 17 July 2013 on adopted and signed by the President of adopted by 2013 with implementation the approval of the DV NAP mechanism and budget (Yes/No) Georgia. Completed 2013-

Baseline: DV NAP for 2013-2015 not 2015 elaborated (2011)

Planned Target: Yes External evaluation report; Indicator 2.1.2 Package of legislative Indicator 2.1.2 Recommendations for DV NAP 2011-2012 amendments to DVL and related amending DV law drafted (in line with the monitoring report; Procurement legislation adopted by the Parliament of recommendations under the DV NAP and handover documentation Georgia in October 2014. 2011-2012 monitoring report and the of equipment to DV Council; monitoring report on the enforcement of Annual progress reports of the restrictive and protective orders) and DV Council submitted to Parliament of Georgia (Yes/No) Baseline: Recommendations for amending DV law not drafted Planned Target: Yes

Activity 2.1.1 Capacity of the DV Council developed to effectively coordinate implementation and facilitate monitoring of

national laws and policies on domestic violence Indicator 2.1.1 a): Ongoing

Indicator 2.1.1 a): Improved coordination of the implementation of national laws and policies on DV by the DV Council

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The computer equipment for the DV Indicator 2.1.1 b): Equipment and facilities Indicator 2.1.2 b) Partially Council has been procured, however the provided to the DV Council to effectively completed, in progress transfer and set up of facilities has been coordinate implementation and facilitate delayed due to the renovations still in monitoring of national laws and policies on progress in the State Chancellery DV building, where the DV Council’s office is located. To be completed in 2013.

Activity 2.1.2 a) Improved Formal communication with implementation and monitoring of the the DV Council on the receipt

DV NAP 2011-2012 b) informed and of the DV NAP 2011-2012 participatory process of the drafting monitoring report for of the DV NAP 2013-2014 discussion and approval Formal communication with the DV Indicator 2.1.2 a): DV NAP 2011- Indicator 2.1.2 a): Completed, 70% of the Council to the GoG on the 2012 monitoring report developed and NAP 2011-2012 monitoring submission of the DV NAP its recommendations considered in the recommendations incorporated in the 2013-2015 for approval DV NAP 2013-2015 draft DV NAP 2013-2015.

Indicator 2.1.2 b): Completed, 70% of Indicator 2.1.2 b): DV NAP 2013- recommendations incorporated in the DV 2015 drafted through a participatory Indicator 2.1.2 a): N17/07/01 NAP 2013-2015 signed by the President of process incorporating recommendations Decree of the President of Georgia on 17 July, of the DV NAP Georgia on 17 July 2013 on 2011-2012 monitoring report and 2013. the approval of the DV NAP submitted to the GoG for approval 2013- 2015 Activity 2.1.3 Technical and financial support provided to the DV Council to Indicator 2.1.2 b): N17/07/01 carry out analysis and prepare needed Decree of the President of amendments to the DV Law Georgia on 17 July 2013 on and relevant policies (NRM, DV the approval of the DV NAP Victim status granting, data collection 2013-2015 and Monitoring and analysis in the field of DV etc.) report on the implementation of the DV NAP 2011-2012

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Indicator 2.1.3: Technical and financial Indicator 2.1.3.: Package of legislative Formal communication with support provided to the DV Council to amendments to DVL and related the DV Council on the receipt of carry out analysis and prepare needed legislation adopted by the Parliament of the draft amendments to the amendments to the DVL and relevant Georgia in October 2014; DV victim policies (NRM, DV Victim status status granting procedure drafted and DVL for the submission to granting, data collection and analysis in adopted by the DV Council in the Parliament of Georgia for the field of DV etc.) December 2014. adoption

Indicator 2.1.3: Letter from the Legal Affairs Committee of the Parliament of Georgia on the comments to the package of legislative amendments by different parliamentary committees in preparation for the first reading Activity 2.1.4 Training on Results ToR of the training and list of Based Management and Monitoring and participants; External

Evaluation provided to the national evaluation report partners Indicator 2.1.4.: Completed. Indicator 2.1.4: Training on RBM and M&E conducted for national partners Target: At least 2 trainings for at least 20 participants each

Output 2.2 Capacity of key policy and External evaluation report service delivery institutions strengthened to Periodic reports by the promote and protect women's human rights implementing partner and to life free from violence, especially from external evaluation report; DV Indicator 2.2.1: Third DV shelter in Indicator 2.2.1 Three shelters for DV Kutaisi functional. State budget funding Baseline and final capacity victims/survivors functional and funded from secured and as a result, state budget assessment report; Formal the state budget by 2013 (Yes/No) Baseline: funding of DV issues increased by 54% communication with the MOIA, Two shelters for DV as compared to 2012. In addition, fourth HSOJ, MoLHSA on the victims/survivors functional and funded shelter under reconstruction in Kakheti institutionalization of the DV from the state budget (2011) region and MoLHSA committed to take training curricula developed Planned Target: Yes over funding in 2015,

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within the programme; Indicator 2.2.2: Concept developed and Formal communication with the Indicator 2.2.2 National concept on DV under review by stakeholders and model MOIA on the submission of the crisis centers developed and applied by crisis center established and operational. draft instructions for approval; crisis centers by 2013 (Yes/No) In progress, partially completed

Baseline: No national concept on DV Formal communication with the crisis centers exists (2011) MoLHSA on the submission of Planned Target: Yes Indicator 2.2.3: DV training module the concept note defining status for lawyers developed and and mandate of social workers in Indicator 2.2.3 Evidence of positive institutionalized in the GBA CLE relation to DV. changes in capacity of core service mandatory programme. Capacity providers to respond to DV cases assessment of lawyers, prosecutors and (Yes/No) judges ongoing to measure success. Baseline: To be set by the inception capacity assessment Indicator 2.2.4: In progress, Planned Target: Yes recommendations developed and pending with MOIA for approval.

Indicator 2.2.4 Recommendations on instructions for district and patrol police on response to DV cases developed and submitted to MOIA for adoption (Yes/No) Baseline: No formal instructions for district and patrol police exist for efficient response to DV (2011) Planned Target: Yes Indicator 2.2.5: Draft concept on the social workers’ role in DV response

developed and under discussion with Indicator 2.2.5 Decree on the status and MoLHSA mandate of social workers in relation to DV drafted and submitted to MoLHSA for adoption (Yes/No) Baseline: MoLHSA procedures do not include provisions on the status and mandate of social workers in relation to DV (2011) Planned Target: Yes

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Activity 2.2.1 Knowledge on DV Formal communication with among patrol and district police the Police Academy and the strengthened Indicator 2.2.1. a) Ministry of Internal Affairs Completed

Indicator 2.2.1 a): Curricula for future Periodic reports by the patrol and district police included in the implementing partner and regular training programme of the Police external evaluation report Academy (Yes/No) Target: Yes Indicator 2.2.1. b) Completed, in

total up to 200 district and patrol Indicator 2.2.1 b): Number of district and police officers (trained during 2014. patrol police officers trained on DV issues (in 2012 trained 157 + 124 in Target: At least 300 police officers trained 2013 + 200 in 2014= total to date 481)

Activity 2.2.2 Knowledge of judges, Indicator 2.2.2. a) DV curriculum Formal communication with lawyers and prosecutors on DV the HSOJ; for the HSOJ designed and tested, strengthened. Formal communication with pending for finalization. the GBA; Indicator 2.2.2 a): DV curriculum for Formal communication with judges developed and included in the regular the MOJ. Indicator 2.2.2. b) DV curriculum training programme of the HSOJ for lawyers developed and included in the regular training programme of Indicator 2.2.2 b): DV curriculum for the mandatory CLE programme of lawyers developed and included in the the GBA with 7 credits; 3 TOT regular training programme of the CLE sessions conducted and trainers programme of the GBA selected and 645 lawyers trained.

Indicator 2.2.2 c): DV curriculum for Indicator 2.2.2. c) DV prosecutors developed and included in the curriculum for regular training programme of the Training prosecutors developed Centre for Justice and being finalized.

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Activity 2.2.3 One additional shelter Quality control report by an established by the State Fund for DV independent expert and State victims and unified electronic Fund budget; database of DV victims/survivors Formal communication with using shelter services created the State Fund and non-state run shelters on the launch of the Indicator 2.2.3 a): A new DV shelter Indicator 2.2.3. a) Completed. Third electronic database and final established and operational with funding DV shelter in Kutaisi functional. report by UN Women including ensured through the State Budget from State budget funding increased by statistics in the database 2013 in a target region of the programme 54% between 2012-2014

Indicator 2.2.3 b): Unified electronic Indicator 2.2.3. b) Completed. database of DV victims/survivors Unified electronic database of DV operational and used by state and non- state victims/survivors developed and run shelters operational linked with the MoLHSA general case management system.

Activity 2.2.4 Capacity of the PDO External evaluation report; Center for Children and Women's Rights Formal communication with the strengthened to provide legal assistance to PDO and the DV Council on the GBV and DV victims and monitor the submission of the report to the enforcement of restrictive and protective DV Council including data from orders the report Indicator 2.2.4 a) Completed

Indicator 2.2.4 a): Methodology for monitoring of the enforcement of restrictive and protective orders developed and applied. Indicator 2.2.4 b) Completed and presented to stakeholders during Indicator 2.2.4 b): Monitoring report on the 16 enforcement of the restrictive and protective Days of Activism against Gender orders prepared based on the methodology Violence by the Center and submitted to the DV Council Activity 2.2.5 Support provided to the TOR of the working group MoLHSA to define status and mandate of and minutes of the working social workers vis-à-vis combating domestic group meetings; violence Minutes of the working group meetings and formal

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Indicator 2.2.5 a): A joint working Indicator 2.2.5 a) Working group to communication with the group established with the MoLHSA and the develop the concept on the social workers’ MoLHSA on the submission of Association of the Social Workers of Georgia role in DV response operational and the draft concept note to define status and mandate of social workers concept under development. In progress in relation to DV. Indicator 2.2.5. b) The concept is under Indicator 2.2.5 b): A draft concept note development. In progress defining status and mandate of the social workers vis-à-vis combatting DV developed through a participatory process.

Activity 2.2.6 A model crisis center Periodic reports of the for the victims/survivors of DV and a model implementing partner;

for the provision of socio- economic Periodic reports of the rehabilitation for the DV victims/survivors implementing partner and formal established under the overall supervision of communication with the State the State Fund. Indicator 2.2.6. a) Completed Fund on the submission of the (December 2012) concept. Monitoring report on

Indicator 2.2.6 a): A model crisis center for the enforcement of the restrictive the DV victims/survivors established and and protective orders. operational in line with local experience and international best practices.

Indicator 2.2.6 b) Completed Indicator 2.2.6 b): Monitoring report on the enforcement of the restrictive and protective orders prepared based on the methodology by the Center and submitted to the DV Council

Outcome 3 Gender Equality advanced by creating Data of the Parliament of enabling environment to realize Sexual and Georgia, CEDAW reports Reproductive Rights of population

Indicator: the status of SRH&RR of population In progress are reflected in CEDAW reports and demonstrate improvements; (Yes/No)

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Baseline: Planned Target: Yes Output 3.1 - Enhanced capacity of policy makers Programme Reports; to integrate Gender Equality and Sexual and Parliament data Reproductive Health & Rights (SRH&R) into the Population policies and national development frameworks with particular focus on Youth

Indicator 1: Youth policy, integrating SRH&R Indicator 1: and gender, developed (Yes/No) Youth policy, integrating SRH&R and Baseline: No (as of March, 2011) gender has been approved by the government Indicator 2: # of policies (newly developed and Youth Policy Action Plan has been amended), where SRH&R and gender is integrated developed Baseline: 0 (as of March, 2011) Youth Policy Action Plan Monitoring tool Target: At least one policy where SRH & gender elaborated is integrated Indicators 2: Youth Policy Action Plan has been developed Youth Policy Action Plan Monitoring tool elaborated Activity 3.1.1 Members of the Gender Participant Lists Equality Council (GEC), Parliamentary All- Party Group on MDGs and the Parliamentary Committee on Health and Social Affairs are better prepared to integrate SRH&R and Gender Equality in the Population policies and frameworks with particular focus on Youth;

Indicator 1. # of policy-makers and staffers of Indicator 1: the Parliament trained on integration of 2 Public lectures conducted SRH&RR and GE into the policies and 90 MPs, parliament staffers and national development frameworks government representatives participated Baseline: 0 Planned Target3: At least 25 policy-makers and staffers

3 Note: All Targets are provided as per the UN JP document, defined for the entire programme time-frame

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Activity 3.1.2 Political will to support Indicator 1: Programme Reports gender-sensitive Youth Policies' development 2 national youth forum conducted strengthened by fostering regional and sub- regional partnerships among policy-makers and exchange of knowledge and information;

Indicator 1. # of Regional multi-sectoral forums conducted to promote gender-sensitive Youth policies’ formulation and implementation at the national level Baseline: 0 Planned Target: 2 forums conducted

Indicator 2. Joint Declaration of Commitment in support to gender-sensitive Youth policies adopted (Yes/No)

Activity 3.1.3 Knowledge resources produced Dissemination of the findings on through conducting in-depth research on 1 National report on Gender biased Sex Gender Biased Sex Selection will be SRH&R, gender, youth and other topical Selection elaborated organized in 2015 with the possible population issues to be used for advocacy 1 Research on Men and Gender Relations collaboration with World Bank purposes and policy elaboration completed, findings disseminated

Indicator 1. # of qualitative researches on SRH&RR, gender, youth undertaken, findings disseminated; Baseline: 0 Planned Target: 2 qualitative researches undertaken Output 3.2 - Strengthened SRH&R strategies and services to address health system response to DV

Indicator 1: # of health facilities, involved in the DV response mechanisms by applying RH service Output indicators are to be reached by Guideline/s and Protocol/s integrating the response In progress the end of the Programme to DV Baseline: 0 (as of March, 2011) Target: at least 15 health facilities

Indicator 2: RH service Guideline/s and Protocol/s integrating the response to DV incorporated in in-service training of health service providers (Yes/No) Baseline: No (as of March, 2011)

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Activity 3.2.1 Ministry of Labour, Health and Indicator 1. Further amendments Programme Reports, ICPDV Social Affairs is supported to coordinate and introduced in the guideline meeting Notes lead integration of the health system response on DV into the SRH strategies and services

Indicator 1. RH service Guideline/s and Protocol/s integrating the response to DV developed (Yes/No) Baseline: No Planned Target: Yes Activity 3.2.2 Health care providers (mainly, 1. Elaboration of the training SRH service providers) are better prepared to module has been initiated apply the DV Guideline and Protocol in 2. Regional Workshop conducted practice for preparing pool of trainers based on the training module Indicator 1. % of RH service providers - prepared by UNFPA Regional training participants prepared to apply the RH Office for Eastern Europe and service Guideline/s and Protocol/s integrating Central Asia the response to DV in practice Baseline: 0 Planned Target: at least 95% of training participants

Indicator 2. DV issues are integrated into the post-graduate education of RH service providers (Yes/No) Output 3.3 - Gender Equality and SRH&RR promoted through an enabling sociocultural environment In progress Output indicators are to be reached by Indicator 1: The set of indicators related to the end of the Programme attitudes and opinions toward family and Reproductive roles Baseline: RH Survey 2010 data (will be available in Sept, 2011)

Indicator 2: The index of gender values in Georgia for men and women Baseline: Men:12.7; Women: 13.6 (Gender and Generations Survey in Georgia - II Wave, 2010)

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Activity 3.3.1: Awareness on Sexual and Indicator 1. Approximately 50% Reports of the trainings, Reproductive Rights and gender equality knowledge increase on gender equality and conferences, workshops among targeted groups of youth, men, and SRH&RR among trained youth based on faith based organizations increased. pre and post training questioners’ assessments.

Indicator 1. % of knowledge increase of Indicator 2. TOT - 75 young people trained training participants (men, youth) on gender Media – 19 journalists trained; equality and SRH&RR concepts. My Rights – 179 school children reached; Planned Target: At least 10% of knowledge 31 teachers involved; increase of training participants EYP sessions – 183 youth;

Small grants – 6,330 Indicator 2. # of Youth (both sexes) reached Radio programmes – 24 radio programmes out by educational activities and annual Youth aired, approx. the audience of 2,000 radio Festivals in target regions; listeners covered; Baseline: Up to 2,000 young people reached Estimated number of young population in 2010 country-wide reached out by IEC activities, including Planned Target: At least 3,000 youth reached through social media: at least 2,000 annually Activity 3.3.2: Strengthened media capacity to Media monitoring reports cover reproductive health and rights and (UNFPA news) gender issues.

Indicator 1. # of media coverage (including 60 media coverage in the reporting period social media) on SRH&RR and Gender issues Baseline: Up to 15 media coverage in 2010 Planned Target: At least 25 media coverage annually

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iii) A Specific Story

Problem / Challenge Faced: In order to raise awareness of the problem of VAWG and in particular DV among the media and ultimately the general public and to promote public discussion on these topics and thus encourage attitudinal changes in the society in a longer run, UN Women organized an interactive performance/exhibition “Interior of Violence” showing works of Georgian journalists and photo-correspondents on VAWG and DV issues developed as a result of a workshop on gender-sensitive and ethical reporting and visualization of these issues. The workshop was conducted by UN Women in January 2014 led by a prominent British journalist Hannah Storm.

Programme Interventions:

THE INTERIOR OF

VIOLENCE The UN Joint Programme to Enhance Gender Equality in Georgia (UNJP) marked the International Women’s Day, March 8 2014 by launching an exhibition “the Interior of Violence" - an interactive performance with elements of verbatim theatre4 staged by actors and actresses of Georgia’s Kote Marjanishvili State Drama Marjanishvili State Drama theatre - ''the Interior of Violence" - artists from the scene of Theatre. brides and forced marriages Visitors have taken active part in a special installation in the form of house interior to experience live stories written by Georgian journalists, bloggers, and photo-correspondents on violence against women and domestic violence issues. The stories were result of a workshop conducted by UN Women on gender-sensitive and ethical reporting on violence against women and domestic violence.

4 Verbatim theatre is a form of documentary theatre in which plays are constructed from the precise words spoken by people interviewed about a particular event or topic

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“I have been writing about these issues for many years and even attended several trainings. This makes you feel like you know everything, nevertheless, I must admit that the three-day workshop conducted by UN Women was an eye- opening experience. Marjanishvili State Drama theatre - ''the Interior of Violence" – man from the scene of Georgian “supra”

The training reminded me of the things that I, as a journalist, should never do and the things I should never write. I feel even a stronger desire to continue featuring these issues’ - says Eka Kevanishvili, a journalist at Radio Liberty. Eka is one of the 21 Georgian journalists, who attended the training on Gender Sensitive Reporting and covering violence against women issues in the media, on January 25-27, 2014. Given the little experience in gender issues, Georgian journalists often find it difficult to deal away with stereotypes like referring to the women as a ‘weak gender’, or disclose the Marjanishvili State Drama theatre - ''the Interior of Violence" - woman from the scene of identities of the victims of domestic violence brides and forced marriages without their consent.

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The agenda of the three-day training focused on covering the above issues in a balanced, non-discriminatory way. It included the following items as: The essence and importance of the gender-sensitive media, mandatory components to be considered while covering gender- sensitive issues, types of domestic and gender-based violence and ways to prevent it, using appropriate language and terminology, protecting identities of victims and information sources, skills for interacting with victims, and many other legal and ethical issues.

Marjanishvili State Drama theatre. "Interior of Violence" – The room of silent violence

As a follow-up to the training, the journalists developed special reports illustrated with photographs and other graphic material covering issues related to violence against women and domestic violence to be presented to their colleagues and the public at large during the gender week in an unusual format.

“Today we present real stories of violence experienced by women in Georgia, recorded by journalists and bloggers and visualized by photo- correspondents. These stories are made alive by actors of the Marjanishvili State Drama Theatre. In order to sensitize the audience even more towards the problem of violence against women, the viewers of the exhibition were allowed to engage in the performance by making statements or participating otherwise, in order to become part of the presented stories and thus better understand how violence affects women in their everyday lives,” says Nino Maglakelidze, director and producer of the performance. According to Irina Japharidze, Manager of UN Women Component of UN Joint Programme on gender equality, media has a key role in raising public awareness on violence against women and domestic violence. “However, it is even more

Marjanishvili State Drama theatre "the Interior of Violence" – essential to convey the information in a right bride kidnapping scene way. This is why we started to work with journalists to improve their knowledge on the issues related to gender-based violence and domestic violence” explained Japharidze.

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The presented stories described different situations of women victims/survivors of domestic violence, underlining how society tends to keep silent and tolerate all kinds of women’s rights’ abuses. There were also captured stories of survival and support from families, friends and relevant institutions.

Ana Nikolashvili, an actress who took part in the interactive exhibition playing a journalist, said that the verbatim performance was extremely difficult as she was hearing voices of actual women that she was then reproducing. “I had to talk with maximum neutrality about those women who find themselves in very difficult situations,” she said. “They said things like ‘now I’m in the shelter and no one will hit me’ or ‘while at home we couldn’t sleep all night, because we were afraid that my husband could beat us.’ It’s difficult to hear these real voices, but professional journalists should seek a middle ground - convey the information to the audience and at the same time, avoid re-victimization of the respondents,” says Nikolashvili.

“This is an exhibition, where you also can become an active participant. The things I saw here, things I have read and the performance I have attended, all of this is happening around us and unfortunately, the society often fails to Marjanishvili State Drama theatre "the Interior adequately react to it. This is why we should condemn of violence against women and violence in general as Violence" – verbatim scene journalists, ordinary citizens, perhaps everyone, we all can do something about it.“ – says blogger Teiko Anjapharidze.

“I would never have imagined my work presented in such a very different, creative way…

It was an unforgettable event… I think everyone enjoyed the interactive performance including the participating journalists. This training was

not just a training that has finished two months ago, but rather the contrary, it is a starting point” … says Eka Kevanishvili a journalist at

radio Liberty.

Marjanishvili State Drama theatre "the Interior of Violence" – brides scene

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Result:

As a result, over 100,000 people have been reached though UN Women awareness raising initiatives to support prevention and disclosure of the instances of violence against women and domestic violence (such as inter-active performances, sports’ events, media and publicity activities and public lectures). Consequently, disclosure of the instances of domestic violence has increased resulting in an increased number of calls to the nation-wide domestic violence hotline, increased number of beneficiaries served in the DV shelters and increased number of calls to the police emergency line 112 as well as an increased number of issued restrictive orders.

Lessons Learned: The year 2014 has been a tragic year in Georgia because of the number of women murdered by their husbands/partners. These terrible developments triggered public discussion about the root causes and consequences of violence against women and girls and domestic violence. The important lesson learned from this experience is that public debate over VAWG/DV provided an entry point to highlight significant gender gaps in many other areas such as in the labor market (access to paid jobs, equal pay for equal value, job segregation), in the decision making (% of women in parliament, local government, peace negotiators, mediators), in health and education (access to reproductive health and services, early marriages, school drop- outs), etc. UN Women and its partners mobilized resources (including media appearances, social media, bilateral meetings with key decision-makers) aiming at shifting the discourse on VAWG/DV - from gender neutral to gender sensitive, underlining the role of gender stereotypes and gender hierarchies, that hinder women and girls from full participation in all spheres of life (economic, social, cultural, decision-making) and often lead to VAWG/DV. This shift has been reflected in the draft strategy of the government to Combat Violence in Georgia, in the public appearances and speeches made by the President of Georgia who decided to announce 2015 the Year of Women, that of the Speaker of the Parliament, Public Defender, Minister of Justice, Minister of Education and others.

The link to the relevant speech of Mr. David Usupashvili, the Speaker of the Parliament can be accessed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zO6mlrYnZME&feature=youtu.be The link to the relevant speech of Mr. Giorgi Margvelashvili, the President of Georgia can be accessed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEdAeSBSazc

III. Other Assessments or Evaluations

 Study on Article 6 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Persons with Disabilities – existing challenges and perspective (UNDP/PDO)

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