On October 8, 2024, Rights Georgia presented its report Protection of Women Victims of Violence in Georgia: Results of Strategic Proceedings in an online event. The document, prepared with support from the USAID Rule of Law Program (“the Program”) covers July 2022 to May 2024. About 50 participants attended the presentation.

The report, authored by Karlo Nikoleishvili, a PhD student at the University of Turku and researcher at Rights Georgia, details both the legislative and practical challenges of providing legal protection to women affected by gender-based and domestic violence. It identifies ongoing issues such as the inadequate response of law enforcement agencies to reports of violence against women and the lack of effective intervention. Among the identified significant challenges, the report also notes timely recognition of victims as such. The report also speaks about how legal representatives face difficulties accessing case materials and judicial actors struggle to recognize gender-based motives. It notes that children who witness domestic violence are often overlooked regarding victim status, even though recognizing them as victims is essential for criminal justice and future claims for damages. Finally, the report provides recommendations for how state institutions and legal professionals can improve their responses to gender-based and domestic violence.

The presentation concluded with a discussion session, where participants raised additional concerns beyond the report’s findings. Topics included the secondary victimization of women, challenges in investigating femicide, issues related to transferring victims to shelters, and the low awareness levels among law enforcement officers.

Both Vladimer Mkervalishvili, Executive Director of Rights Georgia, and Giorgi Chkheidze, the Program Chief of Party made opening remarks stressing the need for Georgia to do more in the direction of protecting women from domestic abuse.