On December 15, 2023, Judge Tamar Chikhladze, a Tbilisi City Court judge and member of the Rule of Law Practice Group on Freedom of Expression and Women’s Rights met with over 90 high school students at Rustavi Public School #4.

The students came from four public schools in Rustavi City. This meeting was organized by the USAID Rule of Law Program and the USAID Civic Education Program as part of a series of informative sessions bringing judges and high school students together to promote the profession of judges, encourage dialogue between the younger generation and the judiciary, and raise the younger generation’s knowledge about different human rights topics.

At the beginning of this Rustavi meeting, students presented posters dedicated to human rights topics including gender equality and domestic violence, and delivered brief presentations explaining their participation in human rights-related initiatives and campaigns. Then, Judge Chikhladze explained the responsibilities of individual judges, legal safeguards for protection of minors, the problems with early marriage, and the rationale for its prohibition.

Judge Chikhladze also identified some of the legal mechanisms that exist to safeguard fundamental rights. She fielded questions from the students on topics such as the European Convention on Human Rights, equality, and vulnerable groups in Georgia, as well as the evolving legal landscape and importance of constant learning and adjusting to solve emerging legal problems. Judge Chikhladze also offered his insights into cases of significant importance in the field of women’s rights.