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Press Release
08 March 2023
The UN Secretary-General message for International Women's Day
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Story
03 March 2023
How Ukrainian Teen Refugee Girls Live in Georgia
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Press Release
28 February 2023
Political Forum on Gender Equality highlights the need for equal and inclusive political processes in Georgia
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The Sustainable Development Goals in Georgia
The Sustainable Development Goals are a global call to action to end poverty, protect the earth's environment and climate, and ensure that people everywhere can enjoy peace and prosperity. These are the goals the UN is working on in Georgia:
Story
01 April 2021
Human capabilities and social equality top new Cooperation Framework
An inclusive economy and human capital development, effective, transparent and accountable institutions, equal and inclusive access to quality services, human security and resilience, as well as the environment and climate change are the five priority areas outlined in the new UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework signed by the Government of Georgia and the United Nations today.
The new Cooperation Framework is firmly anchored in Georgia’s national development objectives and has one overarching priority for the coming years – enhancing human wellbeing, capabilities and social equality to make a real difference in the lives of people in Georgia.
The five-year document (2021-2025) is intended to ensure that the support by all the UN agencies is aligned to Georgia’s national priorities, to the country’s aspirations and development goals.
The Prime Minister of Georgia thanked the UN Resident Coordinator for the Organization’s steadfast partnership and commended the continued commitment of the United Nations to support national development priorities.
Speaking on behalf of the UN Country Team the UN Resident Coordinator Sabine Machl thanked the Government of Georgia for its continued support to the UN’s work in Georgia.
Under this Cooperation Framework, the UN agencies will continue supporting Georgia in its efforts to “Build Forward Better” in the wake of the global Covid-19 crisis and to set more ambitious goals and make further steps to a greener, inclusive and more sustainable development.
The UN will also support the Government in strengthening its regional cooperation in key strategic areas.
Particular attention will be paid to building partnerships with civil society and the private sector, whose innovative potential will be useful to achieve the objectives of the Cooperation Framework.
This Cooperation Framework for 2021-2025 guides the entire programme cycle of collective UN support to Georgia to achieve the 2030 Agenda.
Guided by several overarching principles - leave no one behind; a human rights-based approach; gender equality and women’s empowerment; decentralisation; resilience; sustainability; and accountability, environmental protection and innovation - the Cooperation Framework seeks to give new impetus to Georgia-UN cooperation for the next five years.
The Cooperation Framework priorities have been defined and formulated in the process of multi-stakeholder consultations with representatives of UN agencies, state institutions, civil society and academia.
The Cooperation Framework will be governed by the Joint National-UN Steering Committee - co-chaired by the Prime Minister and the UN Resident Coordinator.
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16 June 2020
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Press Release
25 January 2022
High-profile meeting held on improved access to justice for victims of sexual violence
Sexual violence is one of the most hidden offences in Georgia. According to the 2017 National Survey on Violence against Women, 9 per cent of women experienced sexual violence in childhood, although the rate of reporting is low. For instance, in 2020, investigations were started for only 31 cases of rape, while the courts have heard only 22 of the cases.
One of the reasons behind such a grim reality is that the legislation of Georgia requires amendments, and access to justice requires improvement. In addition, women’s silence about rape is provoked by existing erroneous views and societal attitudes, which often blame victims for what happened to them.
Due to this challenge, the focus of the 2021 campaign for the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is on combating sexual violence. The improvement of access to justice was a topic of the high-profile meeting held on 2 December 2021.
Representatives of the legislative and executive branches of the Georgian Government, the diplomatic corps and international and local non-governmental organizations attended the meeting, organized by UN Women and the UN Gender Theme Group.
H.E. Sabine Machl, UN Resident Coordinator in Georgia, opened the event, stating: “We join an effort aimed at the elimination of violence against women and girls, and we support the Georgian Government in implementing international commitments in the area of human rights, including the obligations supporting gender equality and combating violence against women and girls.”
Ambassador of Sweden to Georgia Ulrich Tideström stressed the importance of the topic: “We need to speak about sexual violence. And we need to act. We owe it to the victims. And we owe it to all women and girls who shouldn’t have to become victims of sexual violence. A key part must be to improve the access to justice. This also contributes to prevention by sending crystal clear signals that sexual violence is unacceptable and that perpetrators will be brought to justice. This is a global fight. We are in it together. The time to act is now! Count on Sweden’s continued support.”
Participants noted that distinct political will and relevant regulations are required to improve access to justice. They discussed such issues as making the elimination of sexual violence a priority, harmonizing the national legislation with the Istanbul Convention and other international standards, and applying best practices for the prevention of sexual violence against women, among other important topics.
On behalf of the Parliament of Georgia, Chair of the Gender Equality Council Nino Tsilosani expressed support in the fight aimed at the elimination of violence against women and noted that provisions of the criminal law on rape require harmonization with the Istanbul Convention. “This, as well as other proposals against violence, will definitely be initiated by the Parliament,” she stated. “In cooperation with the non-governmental sector and with strong donor support, Georgia will continue progressing to combat this global challenge.”
The high-profile meeting was held within the framework of the UN Joint Programme for Gender Equality, implemented with the support of the Swedish Government.
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Press Release
14 January 2022
United Nations concerned over the decision of Georgian authorities to abolish the State Inspector’s Service
The United Nations Country Team in Georgia expresses its regret over the decision of Georgian authorities to abolish the State Inspector’s Service. On 13 January 2022 the President has signed a new law abolishing the State Inspector’s Service and creating two separate institutions: Special Investigative Service and Personal Data Protection Service.
We are particularly concerned about the expedited manner and lack of inclusive and transparent discussions about the abolition of one of the most credible, independent and authoritative institutions in Georgia that is mandated to investigate alleged human rights violations committed by law enforcement officials and is entrusted with the oversight of personal data protection. The lack of convincing justification for abolishing the State Inspector’s Service and the absence of compelling rationale for stripping the State Inspector of her six-year mandate sends a chilling message to independent institutions of human rights protection.
We are concerned that the substantial broadening of the list of crimes falling within the mandate of a newly created Special Investigation Service entails a serious risk of overburdening the agency and distracting its team from fulfilling its primary mandate to combat impunity. We recall the recommendation by UN Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment on his mission to Georgia (2015) stating concerns ‘at the risk that unduly broad jurisdiction, whether exclusive or discretionary, may make the task of the [State Inspector] overly burdensome [if] ... offences committed by law enforcement agents that are not part of the core group of torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment… [fall within its mandate]’.
We call on the authorities to request the opinion of relevant international institutions on the compliance of these decisions with the international standards.
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Press Release
25 January 2022
Georgian women push for inclusive and gender-equal policies
Women’s representation in municipal councils grew almost two-fold as a result of the 2021 local elections in Georgia, reaching a historical 24 percent. In the aftermath of elections, the Women Councillors Forum uniting over 490 women members of municipal councils gathered at an annual conference to discuss the new opportunities brought on by the increased number of women in elective self-government bodies and specific steps to be taken to bring women’s perspective to the local and national agenda.
The event brought together women members of local councils from all regions of Georgia, and representatives from the Georgian Government, Parliament, political parties, civil society and international organizations. It discussed women’s role in advancing local politics as well as cooperation between the Parliament’s Gender Equality Council and the municipal Gender Equality Councils.
The forum was organised by the Municipal Service Providers’ Association (MSPA) of Georgia and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). It was supported by the Government of Sweden and the International Republican Institute.
“Women politicians are bringing a range of experiences and perspectives to the table – be it on social services, poverty reduction, employment or protection of the environment. We hope that newly elected women will lead on those issues to deliver great results for the Georgian society,“ said UNDP Deputy Head Anna Chernyshova.
“The 2021 elections were a significant step towards more women in local politics. I hope this trend continues in future elections at all levels. It is equally important that the voices and perspectives of women politicians are heard in the public debate and impact the political decision-making on the same terms as for male politicians. Sweden has for over two decades been supporting women’s rights and empowerment in Georgia, including in politics, and will continue to do so. Gender-equal and inclusive participation in politics means a stronger democracy and better policies in all areas and is something that the Georgian voters are increasingly calling for. It also contributes to Georgia’s European integration,” noted Ambassador of Sweden to Georgia Ulrik Tideström.,” noted Ambassador of Sweden to Georgia Ulrik Tideström.
The other speakers at the Forum included Nino Tsilosani, Chair of the Parliamentary Gender Equality Council; Niko Tatulashvili, Advisor to the Prime Minister of Georgia on Human Rights Issues; Mzia Giorgobiani, Deputy Minister of Regional Development and Infrastructure of Georgia; and John DiPirro, IRI Resident Program Director.
The Women Councillors’ Forum was established in 2013, with support from UNDP and Sweden. It serves as a cooperation platform encouraging Georgian women to become more active in public life and local decision-making. The work of the Forum responds to the aspirations of almost two-thirds of Georgia’s population that, according to the UNDP’s survey, think that greater involvement of women in politics would benefit the country.
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Story
03 March 2023
How Ukrainian Teen Refugee Girls Live in Georgia
Masha, Dasha and Jenya walk around Kutaisi, Georgia, where they live as refugees since the war in Ukraine started. The teenagers attend the public school #13 in Kutaisi, where they met and became friends. They come from different cities of Ukraine.
The girls share their stories of living in a new town, going to a new school, finding new friends and new life in Kutaisi – a small town in the Western Georgia.
Dasha Mostovaya, 13, from Mariupol, Ukraine lives in Kutaisi, Georgia with her mom.
UNICEF/Geo-2022/Turabelidze
“We came here because it was not safe to stay at home. The war has marked everyone’s lives and everyone had to change all their plans. When I went to a new school here, I liked it right away. The classmates are so friendly! I really miss my old school, but I have more friends here, I have more fun, I go out more frequently and I like my life here. I like many subjects at school but my favourite is sports. I would really like to go back home, but only when everything is over, when everything is back to normal. I want to see my friends, my grandmother who stayed back. I really want to give her a hug” - says Dasha. Jenya Sorokina, 15, is from Kherson, Ukraine. Jenya also lives in Kutaisi, Georgia and is enrolled in a public school in Kutaisi, where she met Masha and Dasha. “I came here with my mom and my little dog. That’s it – that’s my whole family. When the war started, it was really scary. I was worried about my loved ones, my friends, my mom. I was worried about my dog, because I am responsible for him. War is such an immoral thing.” UNICEF/Geo-2022/Turabelidze “The new school is really nice, it’s a place where you want to come every day. All my life, I had trouble understanding math. However, here I started to like math – even though I am still not that good at it. My teacher is so kind to me that I started to understand and solve some problems. If I make a mistake, I am not told that I am stupid and I don’t know anything. Here the attitude from teachers is different: “You are not good at math? It’s ok - you are good at something else! Maybe Algebra is not your thing, but in Geometry you are doing better!” It is really cool that teachers find individual approaches to each student" - says Jenya. "I want to say to everyone who is in a similar situation as me – I want to ask you not to give up. Everything will be great in the end; we will all return home" - she added. Masha Khalupka, 14, from Kyiv, Ukraine. Masha, her mother and her sister left Kyiv on 24 February, 2022 to flee the war. Since then they live in Kutaisi. UNICEF/Geo-2022/Turabelidze We left because mom and dad were scared for my life, for my sister’s life. My dad is still in Kyiv, I am here with my mom and my sister. I feel like I became a grown up overnight. We - children have seen what we were never supposed to see. I was really worried when I first went to the new school, because I had never changed schools before. I had gone to one school since the beginning. Here everyone and everything was new to me. But I am really happy, because I got to meet with Jenya, Dasha and our other classmates. I really like our class, we are very friendly. All summer I set at home, with no one to talk to. Now I have fun and spend time with my new friends. I really like it” - Says Masha More than 180,000 citizens of Ukraine have entered the territory of Georgia since 24 February 2022 (UNHCR data). As of November 2022, around 25,000 remain in Georgia. Around 25% of Ukrainians staying in Georgia are minors. UNICEF Georgia has been involved in response to the crisis caused by the war in Ukraine. With UNICEF’s support, the Government of Georgia provides one-time financial aid to vulnerable Ukrainian families with children. In total, more than 3,000 Ukrainian children will receive financial aid in the first quarter of 2023 to help them cope with the challenges related to winter.
“We came here because it was not safe to stay at home. The war has marked everyone’s lives and everyone had to change all their plans. When I went to a new school here, I liked it right away. The classmates are so friendly! I really miss my old school, but I have more friends here, I have more fun, I go out more frequently and I like my life here. I like many subjects at school but my favourite is sports. I would really like to go back home, but only when everything is over, when everything is back to normal. I want to see my friends, my grandmother who stayed back. I really want to give her a hug” - says Dasha. Jenya Sorokina, 15, is from Kherson, Ukraine. Jenya also lives in Kutaisi, Georgia and is enrolled in a public school in Kutaisi, where she met Masha and Dasha. “I came here with my mom and my little dog. That’s it – that’s my whole family. When the war started, it was really scary. I was worried about my loved ones, my friends, my mom. I was worried about my dog, because I am responsible for him. War is such an immoral thing.” UNICEF/Geo-2022/Turabelidze “The new school is really nice, it’s a place where you want to come every day. All my life, I had trouble understanding math. However, here I started to like math – even though I am still not that good at it. My teacher is so kind to me that I started to understand and solve some problems. If I make a mistake, I am not told that I am stupid and I don’t know anything. Here the attitude from teachers is different: “You are not good at math? It’s ok - you are good at something else! Maybe Algebra is not your thing, but in Geometry you are doing better!” It is really cool that teachers find individual approaches to each student" - says Jenya. "I want to say to everyone who is in a similar situation as me – I want to ask you not to give up. Everything will be great in the end; we will all return home" - she added. Masha Khalupka, 14, from Kyiv, Ukraine. Masha, her mother and her sister left Kyiv on 24 February, 2022 to flee the war. Since then they live in Kutaisi. UNICEF/Geo-2022/Turabelidze We left because mom and dad were scared for my life, for my sister’s life. My dad is still in Kyiv, I am here with my mom and my sister. I feel like I became a grown up overnight. We - children have seen what we were never supposed to see. I was really worried when I first went to the new school, because I had never changed schools before. I had gone to one school since the beginning. Here everyone and everything was new to me. But I am really happy, because I got to meet with Jenya, Dasha and our other classmates. I really like our class, we are very friendly. All summer I set at home, with no one to talk to. Now I have fun and spend time with my new friends. I really like it” - Says Masha More than 180,000 citizens of Ukraine have entered the territory of Georgia since 24 February 2022 (UNHCR data). As of November 2022, around 25,000 remain in Georgia. Around 25% of Ukrainians staying in Georgia are minors. UNICEF Georgia has been involved in response to the crisis caused by the war in Ukraine. With UNICEF’s support, the Government of Georgia provides one-time financial aid to vulnerable Ukrainian families with children. In total, more than 3,000 Ukrainian children will receive financial aid in the first quarter of 2023 to help them cope with the challenges related to winter.
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Story
20 February 2023
WHO supports an inclusive response to refugees with disabilities in Georgia
The ongoing war in Ukraine has disproportionately affected persons with disabilities and the new joint programme aims to address the challenges and needs of Ukrainian refugees with disabilities in Georgia. The project is being undertaken with the European Disability Forum, 4 United Nations agencies, Georgian organizations of persons with disabilities, and key government ministries.
Since the Russian Federation invaded Ukraine on 24 February 2022, over 197 000 Ukrainians have entered Georgia, as calculated by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Georgia serves both as a transit and destination point, mainly due to its simplified entry and migration policies and lower cost of living compared to most European Union (EU) countries. The project, Mainstreaming a disability-inclusive humanitarian response to the Ukrainian refugee crisis, aims to review coordination systems between central and regional institutions, UN organizations and other humanitarian actors, and gather reliable data on Ukrainians living with disabilities in the country.
“Maybe some people need wheelchairs, maybe someone has a family member who is deaf and requires a hearing aid, but we don’t know about them, and they don’t know that help is available,” said Giorgi Dzneladze, Chairman of the Coalition for Independent Living in Georgia. “I hope this project can bridge that gap and connect people with the help they need.”
Bridging the gap between people and services
As of January 2023, UNHCR estimates that approximately 25 000 Ukrainian refugees remain in Georgia, with 62% being female. Male refugees account for 38%, and this number is significant because, under the current Ukrainian Martial Law, only older men, men with disabilities, and men who have a dependent with a disability can leave Ukraine. People over 60 years-old and minors account for 8% and 26%, respectively. Many of these arrivals are expected to stay at least until June, which is the end of the school year in Georgia, but it’s likely that they will also stay beyond then. Having fled from many parts of Ukraine, but predominantly from eastern areas, many families no longer have a home to return to.
The challenges of fleeing to a foreign country can be overwhelming for anyone, especially persons with disabilities. Moreover, people with complex health needs must navigate unfamiliar health systems to access essential services and assistive products while dealing with language barriers, financial hardships and psychological trauma, among others.
The Government of Georgia has ensured that Ukrainians who fled the war are granted access to health care. To help refugee children alleviate stress and trauma, psychosocial centres are working in Batumi at full capacity. However, it’s been reported that some essential services, such as primary health care, frequently remain inaccessible. Bureaucratic processes and the lack of information on how to access services have resulted in many refugees being unable to receive the help they need.
Partners gather in Tbilisi to launch the programme
The kick-off workshop took place in Georgia's capital, Tbilisi, on 2–3 February. It gathered project partners from WHO/Europe, WHO Country Office in Georgia, UNHCR, Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women), and United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
Members of organizations of persons with disabilities, such as the European Disability Forum and Coalition for Independent Living, also took part, sharing their experience and raising questions and concerns regarding the issues of refugees with disabilities in Georgia, such as a shortage of interpreters in shelters or the lack of specialized schools. In turn, representatives from the Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ministry of Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied Territories, Ministry of Health and Social Affairs, and local municipalities reported on new government decrees and initiatives designed to help this population group, such as adjustments to the process of disability determination.
“I believe that projects like this can really help people with disabilities, including refugees from Ukraine. I'm happy to use my personal and professional experience to make this kind of difference,” said Mariya Yasenovska, who fled from Kharkiv after the war broke out and now supports the European Disability Forum as its Human Rights Officer.
Background
Funded by the United Nations Partnership on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNPRPD), the programme takes place in Georgia and Moldova. Other goals include improving services dealing with sexual and gender-based violence for refugee women and girls; strengthening the legislative framework; promoting access to employment, education and social protection for persons with disabilities; and eradicating stigma and discrimination. The programme will conclude on 31 October 2023.
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Story
08 February 2023
UN agencies launch emergency response after devastating Türkiye and Syria quakes
My heart goes out to the people of Türkiye and Syria in this hour of tragedy" said the UN Secretary-General António Guterres in a statement. "The United Nations is fully committed to supporting the response. Our teams are on the ground assessing the needs and providing assistance."
In a situation overview published shortly after 4pm GMT, UN aid coordination office OCHA, said that there had been "close to 2,000 death reported" in the two countries impacted, with at least 78 aftershocks reported, ahead of the second earthquake.
The Turkish Government has issued a Level 4 alarm, calling for international assistance. The earthquake also heavily impacted northwest Syria, which is home to around 4.1 million people who rely on humanitarian assistance, the majority being women and children.
Caption: A victim of the February 6 earthquake is treated in Samada, Syria.
Photo: © UNOCHA/ Ali Haji Suleiman
Syrian communities have been hit by an on-going cholera outbreak together with harsh winter weather. So far there is a 48 per cent funding gap for the last quarter of 2022, with $371 million pledged, out of a required total of just over $800 million.
Mr. Guterres said that the UN was counting on the international community to help the many thousands caught up in the disaster, "many of whom were already in dire need of humanitarian aid in areas where access is a challenge."
Emergency medical teams from the World Health Organization, WHO, have been given the green light to provide essential care for the injured and most vulnerable, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a tweet.
Specialist UN surge teams from the Office of UN Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) also tweeted that they were “ready to deploy”, amid multiple horrifying social media posts showing huge buildings collapsing in heavily built-up areas.
In a statement issued via Twitter, the UN in Türkiye expressed deep sadness at the loss of life and the destruction of property. The team expressed its condolences to the families of victims "as well as to the people and Government", wishing the injured a speedy recovery.
"United Nations Türkiye expresses its solidarity with Türkiye and is ready to assist."
Syria aid lifeline hit
UN humanitarian coordinating office OCHA underscored that the initial 7.8 magnitude quake hit at the height of winter. The epicentre was in southern Türkiye, where nearby Gaziantep – an important UN aid hub for northern Syria - was among the cities affected.
“Deeply saddened by the loss of life caused by this morning’s #earthquake,” the UN refugee agency in Syria (UNHCR) tweeted, adding that it was “actively coordinating a response with #UN Agencies and other humanitarian actors to deliver assistance and support to those in need in Syria”.
The UN along with humanitarian partners, assists some 2.7 million people every month in northwest Syria, via cross-border air deliveries.
The UN reported that 224 buildings were completely destroyed and at least 325 partially destroyed by the quakes, in 17 different subdistricts there, according to initial information from local authorities.
Idlib, Aleppo shock
Although the earthquake was felt as far away as Lebanon, closer to home, northern Syria’s Aleppo and Idlib also reportedly saw thousands of building collapse, including two hospitals.
Humanitarian needs in northern Syria are already huge, as the region is home to millions of people displaced by the country’s long-running war.
Snow and rain have hampered the work of rescue teams, whose families are also among those believed to buried under collapsed buildings.
Photo: © UN Geneva
UN-wide support
After an official request for international assistance from Ankara, the UN Children’s Fund, UNICEF, confirmed that it was ready to support the emergency response.
“The images we’re seeing out of Syria and Türkiye are heart-wrenching,” said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell. “That the initial earthquake happened so early in the morning, when many children were fast asleep, made it even more dangerous, and the aftershocks bring continuing risks.
"Our hearts and thoughts are with the children and families affected, especially those who have lost loved ones or who have been injured. Our immediate priority is to ensure children and families affected receive the support they so desperately need."
In an update late on Monday, UNICEF said that official figures from the two nations affected indicated that more than 2,300 have died and "these numbers are only likely to increase." Heavy snowstorms have hit parts of Syria and Türkiye in recent days, with further sub-zero temperatures forecasted. It is likely that schools, hospitals and other medical and educational facilities will have been damaged or destroyed by the earthquakes, further impacting children, said UNICEF. Potential damage to roads and critical infrastructure will also complicate search and rescue efforts and the wider humanitarian response.
Echoing that message of support, UN migration agency, IOM, said that is warehouse in Gaziantep had prepared non-food items and essential relief ready to be deployed. “IOM teams are also doing on-the-ground assessments to inform the response”, said spokesperson Safa Msehli.
Director-General Antonio Vitorino tweeted his solidarity “with people in Türkiye, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Territories, Jordan and all those affected following the deadly earthquake. We will be working closely with governments in the region to support those affected and help alleviate their suffering.”
WHO on the ground
The World Health Organization's classified emergency medical teams initiative has been activated to provide essential healthcare for the injured and most vulnerable affected by the disaster, in response to a request for international assistance, the agency said.
National authorities are focusing on search and rescue in the immediate aftermath of the earthquakes, while anticipating increased need for trauma care to treat the injured.
“The immediate priority is to support the response locally,” said Dr. Catherine Smallwood, Senior Emergency Manager coordinating the Türkiye earthquake response at WHO/Europe. “Türkiye has very strong capacity to respond to earthquakes, but such is the level of the destruction, they have put out an alert for international medical assistance. And we are coordinating potential deployment with the Turkish authorities.”
There are more than 700 UN staff members in total based in the earthquake-hit areas. In the Turkish city of Hatay there are two international staff and 52 national staffers, said the UN Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric, briefing correspondents in New York, where a headcount is underway to ensure that everyone is accounted for. In Gaziantep, there are some 154 international and 376 national staff members, all of whom have been accounted for.
"In Syria, all staff are safe and accounted for", Mr. Dujarric added.
A version of this article first appeared in UN News here. Printed from here.
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Story
13 February 2023
Women Join Hands for Peace
Mako Chkadua and Malo Kotua, originally from Abkhazia, Georgia, and now based in the Samegrelo region, turned their passion for handicrafts into an opportunity for disadvantaged women. With the support of the European Union and UNDP, they train conflict-affected women in handicrafts to support their livelihoods and build social cohesion among internally displaced people and host communities.
Mako and Malo used their hands-on experience in handicraft entrepreneurship and community activism to successfully bid for a grant under the EU4Dialogue programme. It’s the first major initiative for both Mako and Malo and their ‘Hands for Peace’ non-governmental organization to support conflict-affected women.
The tailoring class students at the 'Hands for Peace' premises.
Photo: UNDP Georgia/Nino Zedginidze
The Power of Personal Experience
Under the EU and UNDP project, Mako and Malo train 42 women in one of four handicraft areas: knitting, embroidery, tailoring, and macramé. They say the initiative helps women professionally grow, earn a living, improve their livelihoods, and increase their self-reliance. In addition, considering their lived experience as internally displaced people, the two women aspire to contribute to social cohesion and community resilience.
"As Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, we always had the problem of integrating into host communities. Our children's generation is different, but in our childhood, people would make clear distinctions between IDPs and locals. We would be called 'the thrown out, the homeless”, Mako recalls. She explains that by training women in handicrafts, ‘Hands for Peace’ contributes to social cohesion and helps the displaced and host communities find a common ground.
Mako Chkadua at the tailoring class premises.
Photo: UNDP Georgia/Nino Zedginidze
‘Hands for Peace’ selected a mixed group of participants – people displaced by conflict and people from host communities in Zugdidi, Tsalenjikha and Khobi municipalities. Their students include particularly disadvantaged women – mothers of many children, single mothers, or women in early marriages who could not continue their education.
"As Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, we always had the problem of integrating into host communities. Our children's generation is different, but in our childhood, people would make clear distinctions between IDPs and locals”.
33-year-old Mako and 31-year-old Malo are both originally from the Gali district in Abkhazia. Mako spent half of her life in collective IDP housing in Zugdidi, while Malo frequently moved in between her native Saberio village in Gali and the city of Zugdidi in Samegrelo. They first met in Zugdidi in 2017, where they returned after years of studies in Tbilisi.
Their paths crossed again in 2018 at the Charity Humanitarian Center Abkhazeti (CHCA), where Malo taught polymer clay handcrafts, while Mako and her two colleagues, Monika Abralava and Salome Kardava, attended training in soutache for IDP women. As exceptional students, Mako, Monika, and Salome soon joined the ranks of handicraft teachers at the CHCA. In 2019, the four women came up with the idea of the non-profit ‘Hands for Peace’, to help other IDP women in handicraft learning.
The embroidering class at the IDP Settlement in Zugdidi.
Photo: UNDP Georgia/Nino Zedginidze
Challenges and Opportunities – A Way Ahead
Mako and Malo note high interest among women across the region to attend their handicraft classes. Last year, they received over 150 online and hardcopy applications. To assist those women who could not apply online, Mako and Malo toured villages with hardcopy application forms.
Despite their interest, a lot of women could not join the training because of their domestic chores and care work. Some had young children who could not yet be enrolled in kindergartens, making prospective handicraft students miss out on the classes.
Several participants of the ‘Hands for Peace’ project faced a similar issue, but the training course organizers found a solution. They invited mothers to come to the classes with their children and set up a small space in the office where youngsters could play while their mothers mastered needlework.
The embroidering class at the IDP Settlement in Zugdidi.
Photo: UNDP Georgia/Nino Zedginidze
Malo notes that it takes more than just learning handicrafts to start earning a living. "A training or two is far from enough. We are doing our best to ensure that our involvement does not end up with sewing classes alone. The project includes further training for these women to continue their work independently, to learn how to sell their products and how to use funding opportunities, such as grant programmes," she says.
Both Mako and Malo are optimistic about the future. They see that their work for empowering women yields results. Two of their students already found employment at the enterprises run by their trainers. And the tailoring class participants got an order from a local kindergarten to make 25 dresses for a New Year celebration.
According to Mako, "these women are making so much progress. Now they are independently looking for funding. They have grown professionally right before our eyes."
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Disclaimer: This story was produced with the financial support of the European Union and UNDP under the EU4Dialogue project. Its contents do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union and UNDP.
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Story
03 March 2023
Overcoming barriers for children with disabilities in Georgia
“This is an identical copy of the moon. This is Newton's pendulum, and what we see is the galaxy flying in the magnetic field,” explains Bacho, 15, showing off his collection of miniature galaxy figures. Since the young age, Bacho has been interested and passionate about physics.
“My goal for the future is to become a physics theoretician. I want to receive a full scholarship from California Technical University in Los Angeles, where they teach theoretical physics the best,” he says.
Bacho lives in Tbilisi, Georgia with his parents and a younger brother – Alex. He spends most of his days at home, doing homework and learning as much as he can about his topics of interests via digital resources. He says, he would like to go spend more time outside, but what prevents him is his disability – Bacho has spinal muscular atrophy and moves around in an electronic wheelchair.
UNICEF/Geo-2022/Sukhitashvili
Children with disabilities are one of the most vulnerable groups in Georgia. The services for children with disabilities in Georgia remain insufficient. In many municipalities such services do not exist at all.
The widespread misconceptions and false beliefs prevent them from full engagement in social, educational, and cultural activities and from realizing their rights. Children with disabilities continue to suffer from the strong stigma connected to disability.
“I have faced stereotypes too many times in my life. I think, this is because there is no information out there about us -people with disabilities. For example, if a person has a certain disability, everyone assumes right away that this person is not capable to think,” says Bacho.
“When I first went to school, none of the teachers thought I could do anything. They assumed that my mom was doing my homework, not me. When I heard about this, I felt very upset, it made me feel like no one believed in me at school. Soon I proved them wrong – I am one of the few straight A students in my class,” smiles Bacho.
In 2021 UNICEF invited Bacho to act as an advisory committee member in the project aimed at transforming disability assessment and support system in Georgia. “I was surprised how considered my input and opinions. I was listened to exactly the same way that adult professionals were listened to,” remembers Bacho. The focus of the Programme was to improve the policy environment, advance the accessibility of infrastructure, information and services, promote social inclusion, and increase access to social services for people with disabilities in Georgia.
UNICEF/Geo-2022/Blagonravova
Bacho has not physically attended school since he was in the third grade. The school is not far from his home, however, travelling this road can be a grueling task for Bacho and his mother. From the elevator to the ground floor there is a flight of stairs without a ramp, sidewalks are too narrow, there are several places on the way where Ana, Bacho’s mother has to lift the wheelchair to move forward.
Ana says, the main problem was that even once they made it to school, she had trouble getting Bacho inside the building, then on the 2nd floor to his classroom. The building had no ramps, no bathroom adapted for wheelchair access, no elevator. Ana was helped by older students to carry Bacho around, which became almost impossible once the boy grew older and heavier.
“It is ironic that it was COVID-19 pandemic that helped Bacho,” says Ana. “Online classes were introduced and for 2 years Bacho was able to attend classes, catch up with his classmates, learn in an interactive way”.
Bacho was the first child in a wheelchair that attended the Tbilisi public school #169. Ana says, the school director and the teachers have always tried their best to help Bacho stay up to date with the curriculum, regularly sending him class notes and giving feedback for his homework. However, it was only recently that the school underwent a physical remodeling, with disability access in mind.
“This makes it possible for Bacho to attend his school again and we are going to use this opportunity,” says Ana. “Even though it will take us one hour to get to the school, instead of 15 minutes – like for everyone else”, she adds.
Limited access to services, stigma and social exclusion are far too often a reality for the children with disabilities.
UNICEF/Geo-2022/Blagonravova
Ana, Bacho's mother watching her son attending the lesson at Tbilisi #169 Public School
“From a very young age, I have known that I am different from others. But I never saw this as a problem, because I believe that all people are equal and yet, unique,” says Bacho. “It is only the outside barriers, created by humans themselves, that create problems.”
“It is very important that such barriers no longer exist, says Bacho. “It is important not only for people with disabilities, but for the whole society.”
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Press Release
08 March 2023
The UN Secretary-General message for International Women's Day
On International Women’s Day, we celebrate the achievements of women and girls across all walks of life, in all corners of the world.
But we also recognize the enormous obstacles they face — from structural injustices, marginalization, and violence, to cascading crises that affect them first and worst, to the denial of their personal autonomy and rights over their bodies and lives.
Gender-based discrimination harms everyone – women, girls, men, and boys.
International Women’s Day is a call to action.
Action to stand with women who are demanding their fundamental rights at great personal cost.
Action to strengthen protection against sexual exploitation and abuse.
And action to accelerate women’s full participation and leadership.
This year’s theme stresses the need for technology and innovation to advance gender equality.
Technology can expand pathways to education and opportunities for women and girls.
But it can also be used to amplify abuse and hatred.
Today, women make up under a third of the workforce in science, technology, engineering, and maths.
And when women are under-represented in developing new technologies, discrimination may be baked in from the start.
That is why we must close the digital divide and increase the representation of women and girls in science and technology.
Women’s exclusion from the digital world has shaved an estimated $1 trillion from the GDP of low- and middle-income countries in the last decade — a loss that could grow to $1.5 trillion by 2025 without action.
Investing in women uplifts all people, communities, and countries.
Let us work together – across governments, the private sector and civil society –to build a more inclusive, just, and prosperous world for women, girls, men, and boys everywhere.
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Press Release
28 February 2023
Political Forum on Gender Equality highlights the need for equal and inclusive political processes in Georgia
Elected officials, public servants and civil society representatives from all over Georgia gathered at the annual Political Forum on Gender Equality inaugurated by President of Georgia Salome Zourabichvili.
Focusing on the political empowerment of women and youth and greater cooperation between legislative and executive bodies, local self-governments and civil society, the event brought together over 350 participants.
The Forum was co-organised by the Parliament of Georgia and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with Denmark and Sweden’s support, and co-hosted by MP Nino Tsilosani, Chairperson of the Permanent Parliamentary Council for Gender Equality, and Nick Beresford, UNDP Resident Representative in Georgia.
Deputy Chairperson of the Parliament Archil Talakvadze addressed the participants with welcome remarks.
Keynote speeches were delivered by H.E. Ulrik Tideström, Ambassador of Sweden to Georgia; and H.E. Sabine Machel, UN Resident Coordinator to Georgia.
MP Khatia Tsilosani (political Party “Georgian Dream”); MP Ana Natsvlishvili (political party “Lelo”); MP Khatia Dekanoidze (political party “United National Movement”); Niko Tatulashvili, Human Rights Advisor to the Prime Minister of Georgia; and Mzia Giorgobiani, Deputy Minister of Regional Development and Infrastructure of Georgia, facilitated panel discussions on economic, social and political issues associated with gender-sensitive politics and on key aspects of successful cooperation between the executive and legislative branches of power at the national and local levels.
The Forum concluded with local youth groups discussing ways to achieve greater equality in governance and presenting their vision of future Georgian politics.
“Continued progress towards gender equality is essential for Georgia’s democracy, development and EU integration,” said H.E. Ulrik Tideström, Ambassador of Sweden to Georgia. “The annual forum provides a platform for politicians, officials and civil society to connect, share ideas and work together to build an equal and inclusive political process – this is even more important in times of political polarization when gender equality risks being de-prioritized. Sweden will continue our persistent support for gender equality in Georgia, where cooperation between all political actors and the full and free involvement of civil society remains crucial.”
“Bringing equality to politics benefits the entire society, helps protect human rights and creates a shared prosperity for all,” said Nick Beresford, UNDP Resident Representative in Georgia. “UNDP works with Sweden, Denmark and the Parliament of Georgia to build a consensus on gender equality across political parties and all levels of governance.”
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UNDP’s support for the annual Political Forum on Gender Equality draws on its two ongoing initiatives – the Swedish-funded UN Joint Programme for Gender Equality and the Danish-funded programme for Decentralization and Good Governance in Georgia.
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Press Release
26 February 2023
Statement of the United Nations in Georgia on the draft Law on Transparency of Foreign Influence
The United Nations in Georgia expresses profound concern that adoption of the draft Law on Transparency of Foreign Influence would risk impeding the work of civil society and media and the essential contributions they make to Georgian democracy.
Civil society organizations in Georgia have been at the forefront of delivering essential services to the most vulnerable persons and helping to protect their human rights. Stigmatizing their work risks leaving persons with disabilities, internally displaced, minorities, older persons, women, youth and children, survivors of domestic violence and other people in need without effective assistance and support.
The draft law poses risks to full respect of freedoms of association and expression, the right to participate in public affairs, the right to privacy and prohibition of discrimination. Noting Georgia’s current membership of the UN Human Rights Council, we encourage the Parliament of Georgia to seek legal opinions of competent regional and international bodies, to consider opinions of these bodies on similar legislation, and to conduct broad, inclusive and meaningful consultations with a wide range of stakeholders that could potentially be affected by the adoption of this draft law.
If adopted, such a law is likely to impede the work of the UN to implement the Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework, the country strategy that we have co-signed with the Government of Georgia. The UN has been a trusted partner of Georgia for over three decades, supporting the country’s development in line with Georgia’s own national priorities and assisting the people of Georgia together with all our local partners, including civil society and media.
We urge the Georgian authorities to take all the necessary steps to avoid measures that risk having a chilling effect on Georgian democracy and on the vibrancy and quality of development support to Georgia.
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Press Release
13 February 2023
Credible and transparent statistical data informs municipal development in Georgia
Credible and transparent municipal data is critical as Georgia strives to improve the quality of rural life and promote balanced territorial development of its regions. Diverse statistical information from municipalities will inform targeted development programmes and will help assess the efficiency of local services and the achievements and gaps in local and regional governance.
The European Union and Denmark, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), assist the National Statistics Office, GEOSTAT, to improve municipal data collection, systematize already available statistical information, define and collect new statistical indicators, and make the sub-national statistics easily accessible to the public.
The results of this support were presented to the public on 13 February, with representatives from the Georgian Government, municipal authorities, civil society and the private sector attending the event.
“The EU cares deeply about further developing the regions of Georgia to make sure that the whole population has access to opportunities and services. The foundation of this is clear and reliable data. The new GEOSTAT platform will help policy-makers and local authorities to make well-informed decisions for the people living in their regions. We are happy to celebrate its launch today,” said Colombe de Mercey, Governance and Human Capital Team Leader at the Delegation of the European Union to Georgia.
“Municipalities need reliable and transparent statistical data to assess their needs and develop responsive policies and programmes. Denmark helps improve municipal data collection as part of our broader support for decentralization and good governance in Georgia,” said H.E. Anne Toft Sørensen, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Denmark in Georgia.
With the EU and Denmark’s support, GEOSTAT developed a specialized webpage regions.geostat.ge integrated into its public website. The digital service offers information on 64 Georgian municipalities, tracking economic, demographic and social dynamics across 82 indicators, with 52 indicators provided by Georgia’s public agencies and the rest by GEOSTAT through statistical surveys.
"The Regional and Municipal Statistics Portal will be available to all categories of users, enabling quick and easy access to statistical information, both at the regional and municipal levels," said Gogita Todradze, Executive Director of Geostat.
“UNDP welcomes cooperation with the EU and Denmark to support GEOSTAT in its vital work, respond to the national data needs, and assist Georgia to achieve its sustainable development priorities,” said Nick Beresford, UNDP Resident Representative in Georgia.
UNDP’s assistance to Georgia’s National Statistics Office, GEOSTAT, is supported by the EU-funded programme EU for Integrated Territorial Development (EU4ITD) promoting balanced territorial development and improved living standards in Georgia’s regions, and the Denmark-funded project for decentralization and good governance in Georgia.
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Press Release
13 February 2023
New opportunities emerge for public-private partnerships to combat climate change
More than 50 representatives from the Government of Georgia, the Georgia Climate Finance Working Group, regional authorities, and the private sector attended a strategy session and training this week to accelerate the implementation of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. The event, organized by UNDP with the support of the Government of Switzerland and the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia, introduced new opportunities for businesses that work for profit, people and the planet.
Georgia has committed to unconditionally reducing its total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to 35 percent below its 1990 baseline level (an approximately 16 percent per capita reduction) by 2030. Article 6 of the Paris Climate Agreement provides a viable way to achieve this through incentives for businesses to innovate new ways to create products or deliver services while simultaneously reducing carbon emissions.
“This is a great opportunity for Georgian investors and entrepreneurs to develop new businesses that serve the public and the planet while earning profits,” said UNDP Resident Representative Nick Beresford. “Once the reduction has been documented, the enterprise can receive back up to 25 percent of its initial investment as an ex-post subsidy.”
“Carbon trade creates new prospects in our global effort to mitigate climate change,” said Maia Tskhvaradze, Head of the Climate Change Division at Georgia’s Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture. “Access to carbon trade markets will support climate-friendly business development in Georgia, promote a low-emission economy and contribute to fulfilling Georgia’s ambitious climate agenda.”
In this market-oriented approach, a private or state-owned enterprise must first identify and invest in a market opportunity that provides a product or service while helping to reduce Georgia’s GHG emissions. This could be anything from developing a new solar power plant to launching an e-mobility transportation service to renovating old buildings with improved insulation. Once the initiative has demonstrated proven success in reducing carbon emissions, it can receive up to 25 percent of its originally invested capital from the specialized global facility created to mobilize funds for carbon trading systems. The Swiss Federal Office for the Environment and the Swiss carbon procurement programme have contributed US$120 million to the Facility to be used for this purpose.
Georgian companies interested in entering carbon markets can contact the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture for more information: ClimateChange@mepa.gov.ge
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