The USAID Rule of Law Program launched its Human Rights public talk series from Kutaisi. This initiative aims to raise awareness, promote dialogue, and enhance people’s understanding of fundamental rights.

The first event, held on March 20 was dedicated to Women’s History Month and focused on Women’s Rights and Empowerment. It attracted attendees from various backgrounds, including law students, business professionals, psychologists, marketing specialists, civil activists, and lawyers, totaling 35 individuals.

Keynote speakers, writer Tamta Melashvili, and lawyer Zviad Kordzadze, discussed the importance of women’s rights in Georgia and the nation’s progress in this domain over the years.

Tamta Melashvili spoke about the history of feminism in Georgia, tracing its roots back to Kato Mikeladze. Mikeladze, a native of Kutaisi, was not only the first Georgian, but also one of the early European women to champion women’s equality and rights protection. Melashvili described Georgia's rich heritage of advocating for gender equality and women’s rights, noting the legacy of Kato Mikeladze and the Women's Gymnasium in Kutaisi, now known as public school #3.

Zviad Kordzadze emphasized that societal awareness, particularly concerning women's voices against gender violence, has markedly increased over time. He attributed this positive shift to the dissemination of information about domestic violence definitions and the availability of services aimed at protecting women's rights. However, Kordzadze also noted persistent challenges, including insufficient support from society and economic hardships that compel women to stay with perpetrators due to a lack of financial independence.

The discussions at the event also addressed the issue of migration, acknowledging that many women from Kutaisi reside outside Georgia to support their families financially. Participants raised questions about the root causes of male violence against women and explored the factors contributing to such behavior.