Advocating the rights of Women by Professional women violence against women (VAW) Georgian YWCA & Tbilisi State University, Faculty of Law 2014

Problem Statement 1. Global challenges One of the main indicators of civil societal order and justice remains the problem of gender equilibrium, however in contemporary world we have to raise our voice against of all forms of discrimination and violence of women in our societies.

Problem Statement 2. Global reflection Policy of World YWCA, Istanbul Convention, CEDAW etc.

Problem Statement 3. Similarities between Georgian and international cases/ analogies - psychological violence - physical violence - sexual violence, including rape - forced marriage - sexual harassment

Problem Statement 4. Peculiar Georgian cases caused by historical, traditional and religious social practice/contrasts Kidnapping of brides Dowry demands Institute of virginity/recovered virginity Discrimination in labor relations/advantages to male candidates Women after divorce – discriminated position in division the common property Reasons: Patriarchal, authoritarian, religious, post soviet stereotypes

Group discussion Please, take 5 minutes, discuss and indicate what types of violence you face in your societies? What kind of mechanism is involved to solve these problems? A state involvement B. NGEOs involvement C. Community involvement D. NGO & Academic(Professional involvement)

Georgian pattern-Historical, cultural and ethnical aspects 1.Multiethnic population (almost 10 nationalities). 2.Multireligious state (almost all Christian confessions, majority – orthodox Christianity, Islam, Judaism and different sects as well).

Georgian Reflection Right now VAW is not in the list of priorities of the state policy Less professional and unsystematical involvement of Georgian NGOs.

Solution of the problem on the local stage for a long-term period 1. Option - Creating of network between Universities focused on VAW problems and cases, creating network between NGOs. 2. Option - We are searching the partners with common interests on local, regional and transregional levels!!!

Solution of the problem on the local stage for a short-term period VAW Clinic at Tbilisi State University, Master programme of Law faculty YWCA of Georgia

Goals of project I Stage - Vocational training and educational services for young women, students of Law schools II Stage – Collaboration and joined activities with the Georgian YWCA III Stage - Trained personnel (VAW clinic students) facilitates and provides services for women survivors of violence IV Stage – Professional and social Engagement and further affiliation above mentioned parties (students, survivors of violence) inside of YWCA V Stage - Attract and increase leadership of young professional women in Georgia YWCA VI Stage - Attract and increase leadership among the survivors of violence VII Stage – Create the secured and protected space for the survivors of violence

Target groups I phase – Interviewing the Victims of domestic violence – selected cases II phase - Interviewing the students – selected 11 students (3 boys)

Activities 1.Developing of academic curriculum of VAW clinic 2.Trainings for clinic students – teaching students communication and social skills with survivors of violence 3.Building the personal relationships between the three parties through the consultation, free legal assistance, personal assistance 4.Preparation and publishing informative booklets about women's rights- “Education, Awareness, Prevention” 5.Organize meeting with donors to promote vision of YWCA of Georgia and project ideas and participants

Thank you! Ana Kharaishvili Law Faculty Staff, Director of Clinics at Tbilisi State University Ph. D. student on Law faculty Academic director and coordinator of VAW clinic Contact information: