Georgia | ASB Foreign Aid

The ASB helps people who have experienced violence | Georgia

The project aims to strengthen the role of civil society so that it represents an effective force for preventing and combating gender-based and domestic violence. It is intended to provide support to people who have experienced such violence. The project will work in three areas: (1) Improving the existing framework of regulations, (2) raising awareness among the population and (3) supporting victims of gender-based and domestic violence.

The project

Project title: Providing access to support for survivors of gender-based and domestic violence (PASS)
Project region: Tbilisi, Imereti, Kakheti, Racha-Lechkhumi
Financing: European Union in Georgia
Project volume: € 947,393
Duration: 2 years (01/01/2022 - 31/12/2024)
Target group: Internally displaced persons (IDPs), victims of domestic and gender-based violence, economically vulnerable women, residents of remote areas, women with disabilities, parents of children with disabilities, members of the LGBTQ community, marginalised groups

Although there are many laws and national strategies to address domestic violence and discrimination, they are often not adequately implemented. Another problem is that other laws that specifically affect women are often enacted without consideration of the gender-specific implications. In a traditional society, women are taught from an early age that they merit public acknowledgement for tolerating the abuse perpetrated by their husband and for “keeping the family together.” As a result, women find it difficult to stand up to verbal, physical and economic violence because it affects their core identity. A major problem that makes women and girls vulnerable to domestic and gender-based violence is economic dependence and inequality compared to men. This is caused both by attitudes and stereotypes, and by deeply rooted structural barriers.

How the ASB is helping in Georgia

Promoting government projects to combat domestic and gender-based violence

The ASB and its partner organisations will regularly monitor the national and local policies and laws of state institutions to identify weak points. The aim of the project is to support the development of government policies, laws, programmes and budgets to minimise violence against women and girls and provide them with comprehensive protection.

To achieve this, the ASB will conduct research and analyse public opinion and international and local programmes and policies on domestic and gender-based violence. On this basis, the project team will develop a negotiation and advocacy plan to work with the government and apply the findings of the research.

Awareness campaign on domestic and gender-based violence

The ASB and its partners will develop a common awareness-raising strategy for their campaign. The campaign will make use of a variety of media channels and is aimed at women at risk (to inform them about their rights), activist women (to inform them about forms of protection), their environment (to provide information about the significance of domestic and gender-based violence and support) and opinion leaders and decision-makers.

This awareness-raising campaign aims to reduce harmful perceptions and stereotypes about gender norms and to raise awareness of domestic and gender-based violence and prevention mechanisms. This will make the community more resilient to gender-based violence.

Legal aid in remote areas

The ASB and other organisations will establish legal aid centres in remote areas of Georgia. These centres are to be located in the Racha and Lechkhumi mountains, in the Imereti mountain range and in the ethnic minority communities of the Kakheti region – Avari, Udini and Azeri. The organisation “Rights Georgia” will develop guidelines and train the lawyers. These lawyers will then provide legal aid in four offices and via mobile emergency groups.

Women who benefit from the project will also be trained in basic legal aspects so that they can set up and run their own business. As well as training, the project team will produce and publish guidelines for women with recommendations on the establishment and operation of a business.

Business training for women

60 women take part in a two-day business training course where they learn how to write a business plan. Theoretical materials are provided to help them learn the basics of effective business management. In addition, participants are offered practical exercises, as both individual and group work, to put the theoretical knowledge gained into practice.