Ethnic and religious minorities make up 13.2% of Georgia’s population. They experience severe marginalization and discrimination, leading to unemployment, poverty and poor access to education, health care and social benefits. Women and young people are disproportionally affected by this. Added to that, women and girls are bearing a double burden, as they also experience gender discrimination. The COVID-19 crisis has worsened the situation, but there are also new opportunities arising. For example, the Georgian government adopted a new bill that requires parties to include more women, one in every four, to their election lists.

WECF Georgia, together with local partners, is building this project with the goal to empower women, youth and minority groups in the Georgian target regions. With the help of the empowerment tools participants will interact with their local administrations and engage in local council meetings. Local priorities will be presented to national decision makers, ensuring a human rights-based approach, equality, accountability, transparency and inclusiveness. By using social media and digital tools (with audio versions accessible to deaf people) the project is strongly focusing on youth and schools. With these methods the project is contributing to civic education, changing mindsets and leading to an empowered society.

The local population will benefit directly because they will be guided to participate in local decision making, resulting in improved municipal and local planning and budgeting and less corruption. By providing a platform for people to actively participate in community and economic life the protection of their rights can be ensured and lasting change will be achieved.

Georgia

Women’s Fund in Georgia, Woman & Reality, Young Pedagogues Union, Pankisi Women’s Council, Richa Community Organization