On March 19, 2024, in Batumi, in celebration of Women’s History Month, the Supreme Council of Adjara Autonomous Republic, with support from the USAID Rule of Law Program, the European Union (EU), and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) held a panel discussion on "Empowering Women: Access to Financial Resources and Economic Rights as Drivers of Change."  The event drew an audience of 50 attendees, representing various sectors such as local legislative and executive authorities, the judicial system, civil society, and academia.

Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Council of the Adjara Autonomous Republic Tite Aroshidze, Regional Rule of Law Advisor for the USAID Rule of Law Program Irina Lortkipanidze, and Project Officer for UNDP Georgia Irine Urushadze, delivered the opening remarks.

The first of the two-part program involved a panel discussion focused on advancing the financial access for women in Adjara. Marine Gvianidze, Chair of the Finance-Budgeting and Economic Issues Committee of Adjara Autnomous Republic, and Pati Khalvashi, Chair of the Gender Equality Council of the Supreme Council, moderated the discussion on "Opportunities and challenges of access to financial resources in Adjara," which included discussion of state policies and initiatives aimed at women's economic empowerment. Irma Abkhazava, Deputy Minister of Agriculture of the Autonomous Republic of Adjara, discussed successful programs supporting local women entrepreneurs in family farming. UNDP representative Magda Mamatsashvili presented local grants offered by municipalities and donors to women entrepreneurs, showcasing successful projects. Attendee Tamuna Kartsivadze, a female entrepreneur and beneficiary of local grants in Shuakhevi municipality, shared her business success story. Aslan Chanidze, from the Independent Journalist's House highlighted the significance of grant programs for empowering women and youth in Adjara's mountainous municipalities. He stressed the need for increased access to grant competitions and greater awareness among residents. Furthermore, during the first session, it was emphasized that despite some progress, women in the municipalities continue to encounter obstacles with land ownership, hindering their ability to initiate entrepreneurial endeavors.

During the second session, chaired by Irina Khakhutaishvili, USAID Rule of Law Regional Hub Attorney (Batumi), the importance of women's economic empowerment was discussed not only in addressing domestic violence but also in realizing other fundamental rights such as the right to decent work, equal pay, and access to land and adequate housing. Giorgi Ramishvili, Prosecutor from Khelvachauri Prosecutor's Office, explained the critical role prosecutors play in handling domestic violence cases. He emphasized that economic violence remains one of the most invisible forms of abuse, affecting most domestic violence victims by tactics like preventing women from working or accessing education. Iamze Zandaradze, Head of the Batumi Legal Aid Bureau, outlined the LAS's commitment to providing free legal assistance to women affected by domestic violence. She reviewed various criminal and civil cases, focusing on legal measures aimed at safeguarding women's economic rights.

Teona Kalandazde, Georgian Bar Association Attorney, shared relevant issues in civil law cases, particularly women's rights to adequate housing. She pointed out some of the challenges faced by women, especially those in unregistered marriages, during divorce and inheritance proceedings.

Tamar Tsulukidze, Chair of the Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association Batumi Branch, addressed discrimination against women in the workplace, specifically regarding labor rights. She discussed cases of termination of contracts due to pregnancy, highlighting the need for greater protection of women's rights in employment.

Nino Andriashvili, Sapari Lawyer, spoke about the importance of women's economic empowerment in achieving gender equality. She discussed various forms of economic violence, including non-payment of alimony, which impacts not only women but also their children.