With support from the USAID Rule of Law Program, Tbilisi City Court judges Tamar Khazhomia, Tamar Lakerbaia and Irakli Kopaliani met with the students of the SabaUni to discuss women’s rights. 

The meeting was initiated by Judges Tamar Khazhomia and Tamar Lakerbaia as part of their involvement in the USAID Rule of Law Program’s Women’s Rights Practice Group, and shared the case law and challenges in the field of women's rights in Georgia. 

Over fifty-five students attended the meeting, which enabled them to learn from the judges about the issues such as: women’s right to education and professional development, existing court practices on discrimination at educational institutions, the importance of education in prevention of sexual harassment, responses to sexual harassment, and men’s role in promoting women’s rights.

The Vice-Rector of SabaUni University and the Head of the Bachelor of Laws Program Dimitri Gegenava and the USAID Rule of Law Program Chief of Party Giorgi Chkheidze addressed the students with welcoming speeches. 

In his welcome notes, Dimitri Gegenava emphasized the importance of having this type of discussion with students, as it helps them acquire additional skills and knowledge that will be very helpful for them for when entering their legal careers. He reiterated the university’s eagerness to further partner with the USAID Rule of Law Program in other activities.

“The country has already achieved a lot to ensure the rule of law, but we still have a long way to go, full of challenges. Throughout its five years, the Rule of Law Program, with the funds from USAID, will offer opportunities for educational institutions to provide you with a quality legal education and mastery of career-supporting skills.” – said Giorgi Chkheidze in his comments to students. He added: “It is important for our Program to support and strengthen the judiciary and individual judges. In addition to other traditional support, we decided to have platforms consisting of judges called “practice groups,” whose representatives (Tamar Lakerbaia and Tamar Khazhomia) are here today. We believe that these groups are a good way for the Program to help judges and also have them help the legal sector, including students and practicing lawyers."

The discussion lasted over three hours, enabling the students to get an in-depth understanding of the recent anti-harassment legislation, discuss current challenges and the case-law around domestic violence, and discuss their real-life experiences and get qualified answers and recommendations from the judges.