In late-November and early December 2022, student-paralegals and Legal Aid Service (LAS) lawyers made mobile visits to highland villages of Adjara. Through these visits, four hundred women, men and youth learned about their rights and the free legal services available for their protection. The visits were held with USAID Rule of Law Program support.

On November 16, student-paralegals and LAS Director Razhden Kuprashvili visited Kobuleti and village Mukhaestate. Mr. Kuprashvili presented the LAS mandate and its services to the participants. Student-paralegals then delivered a presentation on women’s rights covering issues such as equal rights to inheritance, women’s rights in a divorce and domestic violence against women, and also discussed the trafficking of women and girls. 

From November 30 – December 2, 2022, Mr. Kuprashvili and the student-paralegals met with students and teachers in Tsoniarisi [Keda municipality] and Adjarisckali [Khelvachauri municipality] public schools, as well as schools in Kobuleti and Chakvi villages. The student-paralegals talked about children’s rights, such as: the right to health, education, family life, play and recreation, and the right to an adequate standard of living and to be protected from abuse and harm. Early marriage, juvenile justice, bullying (both its forms and consequences) and inclusive education were among the topics discussed with the students. 

LAS Director Kuprashvili and the student-paralegals also met with the local population of Makhuntseti village, where Director Kuprashvili spoke about the LAS mobile application and the LAS’ services, and student-paralegals delivered a presentation about women’s rights. The student-paralegals also held a meeting at the non-governmental organization Ialkani, which is a children’s support center in Batumi for orphans and children who have been subjected to domestic violence. The student-paralegals presented to the youth on juvenile justice and early marriage issues, as well as children’s rights issues such as: the right to education, the right to an adequate standard of living, and the right to be protected from abuse and harm.

Five student-paralegals, together with the Head of the Batumi Legal Aid Service Bureau, also visited the Gender Equality Council of Khelvachauri municipality. Issues related to women’s rights were discussed, such as: equal rights to inheritance, women’s rights in a divorce, domestic violence against women, and the trafficking of women and girls.