On June 17, 2023, the USAID Rule of Law Program held a seminar in Tbilisi on effective communication with women in the courtroom. The seminar was attended by 14 judges from the Rule of Law Practice Groups, with a particular focus on the Women's Rights Practice Group.

Leading the seminar was expert psychologist Ekaterine (Keti) Tavartkiladze, who began by discussing the unique challenges faced by women and judges communicating in the courtroom setting.

Ms. Tavartkiladze emphasized the importance of upholding women's rights throughout the litigation process, including their right to equality, the ability to challenge unequal treatment from the opposing party, and their right to access justice.

A special focus was placed on the specific challenges judges encounter when communicating with victims of domestic violence, representatives of ethnic and religious minorities, and other marginalized groups. The trainer stressed the significance of adopting a trauma-informed approach and utilizing language that is respectful and inclusive. It was also recognized that the lack of state-funded services, such as access to psychologists, poses a considerable challenge, as many women cannot afford such services and courts cannot mandate parties to undergo therapy.

The seminar also included a brainstorming session, during which the judges explored effective communication strategies with parties involved in court proceedings. The judges highlighted the importance of exhibiting patience, non-judgmental attitudes, and open-mindedness. They also emphasized the need to recognize and address their own biases while being sensitive to the cultural backgrounds of the parties.

Overall, the seminar provided judges with a valuable opportunity to gain insights into the challenges of communicating with women in the courtroom and to develop strategies for overcoming these obstacles.