With support from KVINFO, women’s organisations in Georgia are tackling gender inequality through systemic reforms, legal aid, and grassroots mobilisation.
In the face of deep-rooted patriarchal norms and recent legislative threats, including the so-called “Foreign Agents Law”, a trio of women-led organisations in Georgia is tackling the challenges head-on.
In partnership with KVINFO, these three organisations – Women’s Information Center (WIC), Women’s Fund in Georgia (WFG) and Sapari – are championing gender justice and shaping a future where women have the tools, resources and support they need to thrive.
A recent study, commissioned by KVINFO, sheds light on how the organisations are working and the challenges they face in their fight for gender justice.
The organisations’ combined efforts span a wide range of initiatives, from legal empowerment and economic independence to public awareness and grassroots mobilisation.
They are each working in their own way to dismantle the social and structural barriers that stifle women’s opportunities.
Tackling systemic barriers: Women’s Information Center
The study shows how the Women’s Information Center (WIC) has been instrumental in establishing gender-sensitive governance at the local level.
In rural municipalities like Keda, Zugdidi, and Bolnisi, where traditional gender roles often dominate, WIC has been working to create sustainable mechanisms for gender equality. Their projects focus on building institutional frameworks such as Municipal Gender Equality Councils, which are vital for mainstreaming gender issues in local governance.
WIC’s approach goes beyond bureaucratic change – it’s also about empowering local women to be active participants in their communities. By training women to advocate for their rights and providing platforms where their voices can be heard, WIC has not only helped these women gain confidence but also created ripple effects throughout their communities.
For instance, in the village of Chorchana, women successfully lobbied for infrastructure improvements, from better roads to new public spaces like libraries and dance clubs. This illustrates how WIC’s grassroots work fosters long-term, systemic change.
While the Women’s Information Center has made strides in fostering gender-responsive governance, the organisation continues to face deeply ingrained patriarchal attitudes at the local level.
Resistance to change, especially in rural areas, often slows the implementation of gender-focused policies. Some local authorities are reluctant to embrace gender equality frameworks, viewing them as unnecessary or as foreign concepts.
The uphill battle against traditional views on gender roles remains a significant challenge that WIC confronts daily in its mission, for example by raising awareness and conducting campaigns specifically discussing gender stereotypes and norms.
Amplifying marginalised voices: Women’s Fund in Georgia
A key component in the fight for gender justice in Georgia is a focus on equal economic rights, an area where the Women’s Fund (WFG) in Georgia has been making significant strides.
WFG’s efforts are rooted in intersectional feminism, and their grant-making strategy reflects a commitment to lifting up the most marginalised voices – rural women, single mothers, workers in the informal economy, and people who face intersecting discriminations such as gender, socio-economic status, geography, disability, age, religion, sexuality and ethnicity.
The Fund empowers grassroots organisations to tackle labour rights and workplace discrimination, often overlooked but critical elements of gender justice.
WFG’s initiatives are transforming lives in tangible ways. In a mountainous region of Adjara, women who were unaware of their rights to maternity leave learned through WFG’s programs how to advocate for themselves. These women are now not only demanding fair treatment but are also spreading this newfound knowledge within their communities.
WFG’s work exemplifies how economic empowerment can drive broader social change, giving women the tools to challenge entrenched norms and demand equality in spaces where they have traditionally been marginalised.
Financial sustainability remains a persistent concern. While WFG’s grant-making approach supports grassroots organisations, many of these local groups operate with limited capacity and are highly dependent on WFG’s support. The challenge of securing continuous funding – especially in an environment that is becoming increasingly hostile to foreign donors – puts pressure on the Fund to diversify its financial sources.
Additionally, WFG faces opposition from conservative factions within society.
Economic independence through a life free from violence: Sapari
The focus on economic justice is echoed by Sapari, an organisation that has been on the frontlines of addressing gender-based violence, with a particular emphasis on economic violence – a form of abuse that is often hidden but pervasive.
Financial dependence frequently traps women in abusive relationships, a problem which Sapari’s legal aid and public advocacy campaigns are shedding light on. Their work has helped hundreds of women secure financial independence through alimony and property rights cases.
Sapari’s impact extends beyond legal victories. By launching awareness campaigns that tackle deeply ingrained gender stereotypes, they are slowly shifting public perception of what constitutes violence. Their research on economic violence, shared across media platforms and discussed in public forums, has played a key role in bringing this issue into the mainstream.
Women who were once unaware that they were victims of economic violence are now coming forward, seeking help and advocating for their rights, which is a testament to the power of Sapari’s outreach efforts.
Although Sapari have succeeded in bringing attention to the issue, many women still do not recognise financial dependence as a form of control and abuse. Legal loopholes and a slow-moving judiciary system further complicate cases of alimony and property rights, leaving many women in prolonged legal battles.
Additionally, Sapari’s outreach efforts often face resistance from communities that are either unaware of or resistant to acknowledging the gravity of gender-based violence, especially in its economic form.
A multifaceted response to a multifaceted challenge
The common thread binding these organisations is their commitment to gender justice, achieved not only through legal reforms but through the empowerment of women at every level of society.
By focusing on both the individual and systemic dimensions of gender inequality and gender-based violence, they are creating a multifaceted response to the challenges Georgian women face today:
The Women’s Information Center builds the foundation for gender-responsive governance, ensuring that women’s needs and rights are considered in local budgeting and decision-making.
The Women’s Fund in Georgia amplifies voices from the margins, giving women the resources to fight for their labour rights.
Sapari tackles the often-overlooked issue of economic violence, providing legal support that empowers women to take control of their lives.
Resilience in the face of legislative threats
Together, these organisations are promoting resilience and change across Georgia. The progress they have achieved so far is remarkable, especially in a political climate that is increasingly hostile to civil society in general and gender equality in particular. Yet their work is far from finished.
The passage of the “Foreign Agents Law” in June 2024, which many see as a direct attack on democracy, people’s rights to organise, and speak up on injustices, poses a significant threat to the future of women’s rights work in the country.
This law, which requires NGOs and media organisations receiving foreign funding to register as “foreign agents”, could undermine the efforts of civil society organisations like WIC, WFG and Sapari. The organisations – along with countless other civil society organisations, social movements and activists – remain steadfast in their mission, recognising that the fight for gender justice in Georgia has never been more urgent.
In a society where political winds are shifting against gender equality, the combined strength of these women-led organisations offers hope. They are not just reacting to the challenges of today but are building the foundation for a more just and equitable tomorrow. One in which gender equality is not only enshrined in law but lived out in the everyday experiences of all Georgian women.