Sociological Survey Report Georgia 2008 Sociological Survey Report Georgia 2008

Sociological Survey Report Georgia 2008 Survey Objectives  Identify the needs and problems of the population, study the level of their involvement in solving issues from gender perspective  Identify the public awareness level regarding parliamentary elections  Conduct the public opinion poll on women’s participation at the decision making levels  Find the gender differences in population’s electoral behavior

Sociological Survey Report Georgia 2008 Methodology Method – FACE-to-FACE interviews were conducted with the random sample selected on after preliminary stratification. Sample size and design. 509 respondents. Area. Tbilisi (235 respondents ), Imereti (74 respondents ), Samegrelo (54 respondents ), Kvemo Kartli (71 respondents ), Kakheti (40 respondents ), Guria (35 respondents ) Survey period. 01/05/08-10/05/08 Accuracy. Standard deviation 4%, 95% confidence interval.

Sociological Survey Report Georgia 2008 Results of the Public Opinion Poll

Sociological Survey Report Georgia Please list the most acute problems in your region? (%) RegionGender Total TbilisiRegionFemaleMale Unemployment 22,7%42,3%32,6%40,1%35,2% Social issues 3,4%16,0%13,1%8,4%11,4% Difficult to answer 23,1%4,9%12,6%9,3%11,4% Economical issues 3,4%12,7%9,6%8,9%9,3% Cleaning 14,3%1,6%6,6%5,5%6,2% Roads 9,7%4,0%6,6%5,1%6,0% Water supply 1,7%4,7%3,3%4,2%3,6% Communal issues 7,6%0,9%3,3%3,4%3,3% Drug abuse 3,4%0,7%0,5%3,8%1,7% Transportation problem 2,5%0,5%1,9%0,0%1,2% Gas supply 0,0%1,9%1,2%1,3%1,2% Criminal situation 2,5%0,0%0,2%2,1%0,9% Education issues 0,0%1,2% 0,0%0,8% Street dogs 1,7%0,0%0,9%0,0%0,6% Damaged flats 1,7%0,0%0,9%0,0%0,6% Price increases 0,8%0,5% 0,8%0,6% None 1,7%0,0%0,5%0,8%0,6% Total 100,0%

Sociological Survey Report Georgia Are you engaged in the process of solving the problems of your region? (%) RegionGender Total TbilisiRegionFemaleMale Yes8,947,425,636,229,5 No72,846,763,850,358,8 Difficult to answer 18,35,910,613,511,7 Total100,0

Sociological Survey Report Georgia Are you engaged in the process of solving the problems of your region ? (%)

Sociological Survey Report Georgia Are you engaged in the process of solving the problems of your region ? (%)

Sociological Survey Report Georgia Are you engaged in the process of solving the problems of your region ? (%)

Sociological Survey Report Georgia What kind of elections are to be held in Spring 2008? RegionGender Total TbilisiRegionFemaleMale Parliamentary96,697,498,195,197,0 Presidential1,71,81,22,71,8 Local Self-government 0,70,6 0,4 Difficult to answer1,7 2,20,8 Total100,0

Sociological Survey Report Georgia What kind of elections are to be held in Spring 2008 ?

Sociological Survey Report Georgia What kind of elections are to be held in Spring 2008 ?

Sociological Survey Report Georgia Who do you think do not influence outcomes of the elections? RegionGender Total TbilisiRegionFemaleMale Electorate34,058,444,151,646,9 Candidate9,410,711,18,210,1 Money7,714,59,514,311,3 Central Election Committee15,31,18,37,17,8 Government32,311,823,518,121,5 Persons with authority0,41,91,60,51,2 Informal leaders 0,40,3 0,2 Youth0,90,41,0 0,6 Females 0,80,6 0,4 Total100

Sociological Survey Report Georgia Do you think that the parliamentary elections will be held with … (%)

Sociological Survey Report Georgia Do you think that the parliamentary elections will be held with … (%)… RegionGender Total TbilisiRegionFemaleMale With significant violations28,921,925,724,225,1 With insignificant violations61,350,455,854,855,4 Without violations6,422,614,416,115,0 Other3,45,24,14,84,4 Total100

Sociological Survey Report Georgia Why do you think people desire to become parliament members? (%) RegionGender Total TbilisiRegionFemaleMale Don’t know20,13,113,58,611,6 For personal aggrandizement50,253,350,054,651,8 Some for money, others for the country11,413,712,113,212,5 For covering/lobbying their business9,6 5,34,04,8 For social status3,50,92,81,12,2 For power3,54,03,24,63,7 To benefit population1,725,113,113,813,4 Total100

Sociological Survey Report Georgia Why do you think people desire to become parliament members ? (%)

Sociological Survey Report Georgia 2008 Unemployment remains the most urgent issue for 35 % of the respondents. This issue is more acute for males. More than 40% of male respondents think that unemployment is the main problem for the country. 29% of the respondents are involved in some way in solving problems of their respective regions. The figure for male respondents is 35% and 25% for females. Percentage of population with awareness regarding the parliamentary elections is very high – 97%. There is no gender difference with regard to that issue. According to the respondents voters themselves (47%) and government (21,5%) significant influance on the voting. If there is only 2% difference between the two variables in Tbilisi, the difference increases for the voters and reaches 47%. Percentage of females who consider that the government is the decisive subject exceeds that of males by 5% and the percentage of males who think that voters represent decisive factor exceeds that of females by 7%. Only 25% of the respondents think that 2008 parliamentary elections will be conducted with significant violations. No gender differences. 52% of the respondents think that members of parliament would like to be members of parliament for their own aggrandizement. 4% more males share the viewpoint.

Sociological Survey Report Georgia Do you think that it is necessary to increase the number of women in the governmental bodies ? (%)

Sociological Survey Report Georgia Do you think that it is necessary to increase the number of women in the governmental bodies ? (%) RegionGender Total TbilisiRegionFemaleMale It is not necessary 28,118,520,627,022,9 It is desirable, but not necessary 29,450,241,438,940,5 It is necessary 34,928,033,627,031,2 Difficult to answer 7,73,34,47,05,3 Total 100,00

Sociological Survey Report Georgia From your prospective, female participation should increase at which level of government? (%)

Sociological Survey Report Georgia From your prospective, female participation should increase at which level of government ? (%) RegionGender Total TbilisiRegionFemaleMale Parliament 31,654,745,840,243,8 Cabinet of Ministers 6,17,07,15,66,5 Local Self - government 57,130,241,345,842,9 No place in politics for females 5,28,15,88,46,7 Total 100

Sociological Survey Report Georgia From your perspective, what hampers women’s more active involvement in politics? (%) RegionGender Total TbilisiRegionFemaleMale Discrimination of women in the society and stereotype of women’s role 1,723,916,48,613,5 Family 55,741,045,651,947,9 Political system and political culture 11,911,613,88,111,7 Lack of women’s desire and experience 17,013,411,621,115,1 Difficult to answer 13,610,112,610,311,7 Total 100

Sociological Survey Report Georgia Do you think that a working style of a female politician differs from a working style of a male politician ? (%)

Sociological Survey Report Georgia Do you think that working style of a female politician differs from a working style of a male politician? (%) RegionGender Total TbilisiRegionFemaleMale No essential differences 9,817,013,514,113,7 There are differences 86,877,080,982,781,5 Difficult to answer 3,45,95,63,24,8 Total 100

Sociological Survey Report Georgia What measures should be taken to increase chances of involvement of women in politics? RegionGender Total TbilisiRegionFemaleMale Enhancement of public education 9,626,318,618,5 Conduct educational work for those who wants to be involved in politics 7,422,916,314,715,7 Establishment of female groups at each party and community union 3,513,99,97,69,1 Establishment of women’s political party 0,94,93,22,73,0 Women participation will increase along with improvement of economic conditions 25,718,826,314,722,0 Difficult to answer 53,013,225,641,831,7 Total 100

Sociological Survey Report Georgia To which representative of gender would you give preference during elections for public offices? RegionGender Total TbilisiRegionFemaleMale Female 13,28,111,88,210,5 More to female than to male 17,911,416,111,414,4 Does not matter 37,034,638,131,535,7 More to male than to female 24,319,517,029,921,7 Male 5,19,64,612,57,5 Difficult to answer 2,616,912,46,510,3 Total 100

Sociological Survey Report Georgia 2008 According to the 40,5% of the respondents participation of females in politics is desirable. Only 23% of the respondents do not think that women’s participation in decision-making is necessary. 7% more males consider women participation necessary as well as 7% more females. 44% and 43% of the respondents think that females must be represented mainly in the parliament and local self-government bodies. Only 6% think that there is place for them in the cabinet of ministers as well. There is no gender differences, though significant regional differences are apparent. 20% more of the Tbilisi respondents see women’s role more in local self- government and 25% more regional respondents indicate necessity of female participation in the parliament. 48% of the respondents consider that family obligations hinder more active involvement of women in politics. Out of them 52% are males and 46% - females. Lack of desire and experience of females is named as one of the factors hindering more active involvement of females in politics (15%). It is interesting that 12% of females and 21% of males share the idea. 81% of the respondents think that working style of females differs from that of males. There are no gender differences. According to 22% of the respondents chances for female participation in politics would increase along with improvement of economic conditions. 14% of males and 26% of females share this idea. 36% remain neutral in making decision in favor of male or female. It should be noted that 42% of males favor males and 22% of females favor females. 28% of females and only 19% of males are in favor of electing females.

Sociological Survey Report Georgia Do you agree with the following statements? (%) YeasNo Non respon se Total 1. Female politicians give less attention to their families61%29%11%100% 2. Work is more important than family for female politicians53%34%13%100% 3. Support from husband and other family members is necessary for a female politician to be successful 74%16%10%100% 4. If female is involved in politics her spouse feels suppressed23%63%14%100% 5. Male’s carrier is always a priority in a family55%32%13%100% 6. The only role for a female must be support to her husband15%72%13%100%

Sociological Survey Report Georgia Do you agree with the following statements? (%) TbilisiRegion YeasNo Non res pon se TotalYeasNo Non res pon se Total 1. Female politicians give less attention to their families 64%35%1%100%57%23%19%100% 2. Work is more important than family for female politicians 63%36%1%100%45%32%23%100% 3. Support from husband and other family members is necessary for a female politician to be successful 68%31%1%100%79%4%17%100% 4. If female is involved in politics her spouse feels suppressed 28%71%1%100%20%55%25%100% 5. Male’s carrier is always a priority in a family 52%47%1%100%58%19%23%100% 6. The only role for a female must be support to her husband 17%82%1%100%14%63%23%100%

Sociological Survey Report Georgia Do you agree with the following statements ? (%)

Sociological Survey Report Georgia Do you agree with the following statements ? (%)

Sociological Survey Report Georgia Should a female be engaged in family care if the family is well-off financially and does not need additional financial income?

Sociological Survey Report Georgia Should a female be engaged in family care if the family is well-off financially and does not need additional financial income ?

Sociological Survey Report Georgia Should a female be engaged in family care if the family is well-off financially and does not need additional financial income ? RegionGender Total TbilisiRegionFemaleMale Yes25,814,820,119,619,9 No62,981,174,869,072,6 Diff. to answer11,44,25,211,47,5 Total100

Sociological Survey Report Georgia There is an idea that female voters to not support female candidates. Do you agree to this? (%) YesNoNon responseTotal 1. Women do not trust each-other37,5%48,6%13,9%100,0% 2. There are few female candidates participating in elections 66,2%21,2%12,6%100,0% 3. It is not reasonable to elect females15,9%64,8%19,3%100,0% 4. Negative image of some female politicians42,0%36,7%21,3%100,0% 5. Weak election campaign of female candidates 38,3%42,8%18,9%100,0% 6. Female voters are less active voters19,4%62,3%18,3%100,0% 7. Indifferent attitude of females towards elections 14,1%66,8%19,1%100,0% 8. A female does not see much of her rights protector in another female 40,1%40,9%19,0%100,0%

Sociological Survey Report Georgia There is an idea that female voters to not support female candidates. Do you agree to this? (%) TbilisiRegion YesNo Non res pon se TotalYesNo Non res pon se Total 1. Women do not trust each-other46,8%52,3%0,9%100,0%29,6%45,3%25,2%100,1% 2. There are few female candidates participating in elections 59,1%40,4%0,4%99,9%72,3%4,7%23,0%100,0% 3. It is not reasonable to elect females26,4%72,8%0,9%100,1%6,9%58,0%35,0%99,9% 4. Negative image of some female politicians 40,4%58,7%0,9%100,0%43,4%17,9%38,7%100,0% 5. Weak election campaign of female candidates 35,3%63,8%0,9%100,0%40,9%24,8%34,3%100,0% 6. Female voters are less active voters23,8%75,3%0,9%100,0%15,7%51,1%33,2%100,0% 7. Indifferent attitude of females towards elections 19,1%79,1%1,7%99,9%9,9%56,2%33,9%100,0% 8. A female does not see much of her rights protector in another female 53,6%42,6%3,8%100,0%28,5%39,4%32,1%100,0%

Sociological Survey Report Georgia Do you agree with the following ideas ?

Sociological Survey Report Georgia Do you agree with the following ideas ?

Sociological Survey Report Georgia % of female respondents and 68% of male respondents think that female politicians give less attention to their families. 25% of female respondents and 21% of male respondents think that when a female is in politics her spouse feels suppressed. It is also interesting that 51% of female respondents and 61% of male respondents think that carrier of husband in a family is more important. According to 19% of males and 13% of females think that role of female is to support husband. M According to the 73% of the respondents females must be engaged only in family care if the family is financially well-off. There is no gender difference with regard to this issue. 66% of the respondents think that female candidates are few in elections taking from females opportunity of supporting female candidates. 32.5% of female respondents and 47% of male respondents think that absence of support from female voters to female candidates is caused by mistrust. 40% of the respondents think that females do not see protector of their interest in females. This viewpoint is share by 48% of males and 35% of females.

Sociological Survey Report Georgia Which problems would you try to tackle in the first place were of a member of the parliament? (%) RegionGender Total TbilisiRegionFemaleMale Employment issue25,550,241,430,737,5 Economic problems7,819,813,713,513,6 I would not be an MP11,30,94,98,66,3 Social issues13,47,413,74,910,5 I would re-unite Georgia8,78,85,614,18,7 I do not know12,11,87,46,77,1 Education issue3,01,42,12,52,2 Cleaning issues3,9 2,51,22,0 Criminal situation problem3,5 1,13,11,8 Demographic problems1,31,8 1,21,6 Communal problems1,31,40,72,51,3 Damaged residential houses2,6 0,72,51,3 Drug abuse2,6 3,71,3 I would improve legislature0,41,81,40,61,1 Fair courts 1,80,71,20,9 Return of refugees 1,40,41,20,7 Water supply problem0,9 0,40,60,4 All problems together0,9 0,7 0,4 The issue of tramp dogs0,4 0,2 Organization of public communal services0,4 0,60,2 Land 0,50,4 0,2 Pasture 0,5 0,60,2 Make enterprises work 0,50,4 0,2 Total100

Sociological Survey Report Georgia Are you going to participate in the parliamentary elections? (%)

Sociological Survey Report Georgia Are you going to participate in the parliamentary elections? (%) RegionGender Total TbilisiRegionFemaleMale Yes 76,271,573,573,973,7 No 6,818,911,516,313,3 I have not decided 17,09,615,09,813,1 Total 100

Sociological Survey Report Georgia Are you going to participate in the parliamentary elections ? (%)

Sociological Survey Report Georgia Have you already made decision regarding which party or party candidate to support? (%) RegionGender Total TbilisiRegionFemaleMale Yes 44,384,864,269,065,9 No 55,715,235,831,034,1 Total 100

Sociological Survey Report Georgia 2008 Answer of 41% of females and 31% of males to the question - Which problems would you try to tackle in the first place were of a member of the parliament? – was solving unemployment issue. There is gender difference with regard to unifying Georgia. 14% of males and only 5% of females think that this issue is the most important one. 74% of the respondents are going to participate in the parliamentary elections (without gender differences ). 5% more males had strictly decided not to participate in the elections when 5% more females had not yet made decision whether they would express their political will by participation in the elections. Interesting fact – 66% of the respondents have already decided which party they are going to vote for. It is also interesting that in Tbilisi only 44% of the respondents had made the decision against 85% in the regions.

Sociological Survey Report Georgia 2008 Main Conclusions Public awareness regarding the parliamentary elections is quite high. There are no gender differences with regard to awareness. The survey results showed : Unemployment and social support issues are priorities. Population in the regions is more actively involved in solving problems existing in the country than respondents from Tbilisi.

Sociological Survey Report Georgia 2008  Majority of the respondents think that working style of females is different from that of males. Although majority of the respondents think that it is desirable to elect females in government bodies, this remains just a declaration as majority of them are not ready to see females in government bodies. There are no gender differences in this case Voters will have decisive influence on the results of the elections according to the majority of the respondents out of which more females than males think that government has significant influence. According to female respondents participation of females is most necessary in the parliament, when males consider local self-government the best venue for female participation in politics.

Sociological Survey Report Georgia 2008  Major part of the respondents do not consider gender as a factor in voting for a politician. Although, most of them notes that female involvement hiders there fulfillment of family obligations. It should also be noted that quite a big group of males does not consider appointment of a female in a position with high responsibilities reasonable.  The respondents hope that the parliamentary elections will be held without violations. At the same time they note that candidates want to become MPs for their personal aggrandizement. It is also interesting that mainly population has already made decisions regarding whom to vote 1 month before the parliamentary elections.

Sociological Survey Report Georgia 2008 Main public opinion changes (Comparison with the 2006 survey results ) Female awareness regarding the elections increased by 18%; Number of voters, which think that gender of a candidate is irrelevant increased by 10%; Number of respondents who think that family obligations is the main factor hindering females from becoming more politically active; Number of respondents who considered stereotypes as a reason for becoming females more active in politics decreased by 14%; Number of respondents who think that working style of females and males are different increased by almost 30%; Number of respondents who think that improvement of economic conditions is a factor in females taking more active political role increased by 6% ; Number of respondents in favor of establishment of female groups at political parties increased by 3%; Number of respondents who think that female participation in politics is desirable increased by 15%.