16 Days of Activism: EU stands up against Gender-Based Violence

Globally, an estimated 736 million women – almost one in three – have been subjected to intimate partner violence, non-partner sexual violence, or both at least once in their life. While many cases remain unreported during the current pandemic, the number of women falling victim to abuse has most likely increased.

Other sources show further worrying numbers:

• One in five women in Georgia reports sexual harassment during her lifetime, half of which happens at the workplace, according to UN WOMEN’s Country Gender Equality Profile ;
• According to the National Survey on Violence against Women  carried out in Georgia 9% of women experienced sexual violence as a child,
• 36% of men and 31% of women are of the opinion that if a woman is raped, she has usually done something careless to put herself in that situation.
• At the same time, 50% of survey participants think that if a woman does not physically fight back, you cannot call it rape.

The EU actively contributes to the fight against all forms of violence against women and girls and provides support to improvements of the state support and protection systems for survivors and rehabilitation of perpetrators, awareness raising, changing attitudes and behavior and breaking stereotypes of the general public in Georgia.

These actions include the improvement of legislation, policies and institutional capacities. Also, responding directly to the commitments under the Council of Europe Istanbul Convention, which, among other obligations, places the responsibility on the strengthening measures to end all forms of violence against women and girls, including sexual violence.

The EU and UN WOMEN provided technical support in the development of a new tool assessing risks of domestic violence enabling police officers to assess risks for lethality and re-abuse. The tool is entirely based on global research and studies on domestic violence risk assessment and is informed by internationally established best practices. In consideration of the best practices, the EU supported procurement of the Global Positioning System (GPS) Ankle Bracelets (including its software) for the Ministry of Internal Affairs, enabling police to monitor the movements of perpetrators when the perpetrator is not imprisoned.

In order to eliminate violence against women, the EU supported UN women to cooperate with the Agency For State Care and Assistance For the (Statutory) Victims of Human Trafficking to launch state-run crisis centers for the victims of domestic violence in Georgia based in Guria and Kvemo Kartli. The services at the crisis center include psychosocial assistance, medical care and legal aid, translation services and other assistance if necessary.

Together with UN WOMEN and other partners the EU is marking 16 days of activism for the elimination of gender-based violence aiming to spark conversation in the public on sexual violence , especially rape, fight against the existing rape culture, empower women and girls with the knowledge about their rights, and promote solidarity towards the victims of sexual violence.

Find out more about some of the EU’S activities and projects to fight gender-based violence:

Ending violence against women and girls in Georgia (EVAWGG)
EU4Gender Equality: Together Against Gender Stereotypes and Gender-Based Violence
Job Equality: Equal, Inclusive and Safe Work Place in Georgia
Addressing Gender-biased Sex Selection and Related Harmful Practices in South Caucasus