EU and WECF Georgia Media4Equality Award 2021

With the support of the EU, WECF Georgia held a conference on the importance of ethical and
inclusive media coverage, followed by the Award Ceremony for the winners of the #Media4Equality
contest 2021.

“I would like to offer my warm congratulations to the #Media4Equality 2021 winners. Gender equality is a
fundamental value of the European Union, which we also promote through this award. I believe the
media plays a key role to highlight issues women face and to challenge perceived stereotypes. It is the
first award of its kind in Georgia recognising the place of traditional and digital media in this debate”, –
says Sigrid Brettel, Head of Cooperation at the Delegation of the European Union to Georgia.

“WECF is working with journalists and influencers in order to amplify the voices of Womens’ rights
activists. They are able to communicate messages on women’s empowerment in the most effective way
into society”, – says Anna Samwel, Director of Women in Europe for a Common Future branch office
Georgia.

The conference and award ceremony, which took place during the 16 Days of Activism against
gender-based violence, highlighted that the media is an influential force for positive changes and raising
awareness on gender stereotypes for the society. Thus, ethical and gender sensitive reporting create a
dialogue about women’s rights and equality. During the meeting, media managers, gender and media
experts discussed the current media environment in Georgia, its main challenges and ways to improve
coverage of gender related issues.

This event also took place within Human Rights week culminating on 10 December, International Human
Rights Day, which marks the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. The
Declaration sets out a broad range of fundamental rights and freedoms to which we are all entitled.
Human Rights Week 2021 is an opportunity to reaffirm that ‘all human beings are born free and equal in
dignity and rights complementing today’s conference and award.

WECF Georgia with the support of the EU launched the competition with four different categories of the
Media Equality 2021 Award. The winners have been selected by a jury for their gender-sensitive
narrative style and promoting the economic, political, and social empowerment of women. The Media
Equality competition is the first in Georgia recognising the great impact of social media on raising public
awareness.

For more information, please contact:
● Ani Gurulishvili, Communication Assistant, WECF Georgia: ani.gurulishvili@wecf.org For
more information about the competition see the WECF Georgia website:
https://www.wecf.ge/media-awards/
● Tamriko Mikadze, Press and Information Officer, Delegation of the European Union to
Georgia, Tamriko.Mikadze@eeas.europa.eu