UNIFEM is the women’s fund of the United Nations. Established in 1976, it provides financial and technical assistance for innovative approaches aimed at fostering women’s empowerment and gender equality. Today the organization’s work touches the lives of women and girls in more than 100 countries. UNIFEM also makes the voices of women heard at the UN – drawing attention to critical issues and advocating for the implementation of existing commitments made to women.

Placing the realization of women’s human rights and security at the centre of all its efforts, UNIFEM focuses its activities globally on reducing women’s poverty and exclusion, ending violence against women, halting the spread of HIV/AIDS among women and girls and supporting women’s leadership in governance and post-conflict-reconstruction.

Guided by the principles of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and UN Security Council Resolution 1325, UNIFEM has worked towards promotion of a culture of peace through its regional project “Women for Conflict Prevention and Peace-building in the Southern Caucasus” which ran from 2001to 2006. As part of this project, women’s networks were formed in Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia around the concept of peace and conflict resolution. A regional network was created made up of representatives of the three national networks. This project laid foundations for and supported the first people-to-people diplomacy initiatives between women affected by the conflicts in the region.

UNIFEM renewed its presence in Georgia in June 2008, becoming an active member of the UN Country Team. The UNIFEM office in Georgia, in collaboration with other UN agencies, currently supports the government and civil society partners in realizing their commitments under CEDAW and the Beijing Platform for Action to enhance gender equality and strengthen women’s empowerment.

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In compliance with UNIFEM CIS Sub-Regional Strategic Plan 2008-2011, UNIFEM Georgia office has prioritized the following areas of work for 2008-2011:

Ending of Violence against Women

UNIFEM’s work in this area is aimed at raising public awareness of the issue of VAW as well as at the development of a well-functioning national referral mechanism to ensure protection and rehabilitation of women victims of domestic violence.

UNIFEM Georgia office works closely with the recipients of the UN EVAW Trust Fund grant: NGOs that work towards improved implementation of the Anti-domestic Violence Law in Georgia. In addition, UNIFEM has joined forces with other UN agencies in implementing the UN Joint Project for Greater Gender Equality, aimed at improving coordination of the various stakeholders working in the field of GBV. The joint project is also contributing to a UNHCR supported initiative which provides psycho-social aid to internally displaced women victims/survivors of sexual and gender based violence (including domestic violence).  Together with UNHCR and in close cooperation with UNDP, UNIFEM is supporting a ‘gender hotline’ in Gori Gender Resource Center, providing information and referral for internally displaced and other conflict affected women. The center has been established under the auspices of the Parliamentary Council for Gender Equality.

Mobilizing Women’s Organizations for Peace-building and Conflict Resolution

UNIFEM’s aim in this field is to promote the increased participation of women in peace building and reconciliation processes, through strengthening the capacity of women’s organizations and groups and supporting their advocacy work. Building on UNIFEM’s extensive work experience in this area through its regional project, “Women for Conflict Prevention and Peace-building in Southern Caucasus” (2001-2006), particular consideration is being given to the establishment of effective and sustainable mechanisms of dialogue between women’s organizations, government bodies and other relevant stakeholders in order to increase women’s engagement in peace-building, recovery planning and reconstruction processes. This strand of activity also has the goal of supporting civil society organizations and the government in developing a national implementation system for UN Security Council Resolutions 1325 and 1820.

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The main goal of activity in this area is partnership with the government and gender equality advocates for the strengthening of institutional mechanisms promoting gender equality. There is also focus on strengthening the government’s capacity to mainstream gender into various policies and laws at national and local levels. In close coordination and cooperation with UNCT partners, UNIFEM also provides support for the further development of gender equality legislation in the country.  

Increasing Economic Opportunities for Vulnerable Women 

In this area of activity, UNIFEM aims to increase women’s economic empowerment through encouraging their involvement and developing their capacity. Particular focus is given to supporting the reintegration of IDP and conflict affected women in the economic life of the country by offering them business training and consultation.

Contact Persons:

Damira Sartbaeva, Regional Programme Director,

UNIFEM Commonwealth of Independent States Regional Office

67 Tole Bi Street Almaty, 480091, Kazakhstan

Tel: +772 72 582643

Fax: +772 72 582645

E-mail: damira.sartbaeva@unifem.org

www.unifemcis.org

 

Tamar Sabedashvili, UNIFEM Gender Advisor for Georgia

9 Eristavi Street, UN House, Tbilisi, 0179, Georgia

Tel: +995 32 25 11 26 (ext. 222)

Fax: +995 32 250271/72

E-mail: tamar.sabedashvili@unifem.org

www.unifemcis.org

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