On 12-13 December 2023 women from diverse political party groups from Ajara region participated in a workshop aiming at empowering women with the necessary knowledge and skills to better impact decision making in political and public life and in particular, in the context of the upcoming 2024 Parliamentary Elections.

Women politicians from the following leading political groups: Georgian Dream, United National Movement, Girchi, For Georgia, Lelo, Strategy Agmashenebil, as well as women holding public positions at the High Council of the Autonomous Republic of Ajara and legislative bodies of municipalities (Sakrebulo), representatives from local gender councils and party women’s organisations actively contributed to the lively exchange.

Participants discussed the main principles enshrined in the Council of Europe’s legal and policy instruments on gender equality and balanced participation of women and men in political and public decision making. Focus was made on the respective Recommendation (Rec (2003)3) of the Committee of Ministers. Women politicians exchanged inter alia on support measures and good practices to promote gender equality and intersectional perspectives, gender-sensitive functioning of decision-making bodies, combating gender stereotypes and promoting gender-sensitive working environment, multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination, culture and stereotypes, equal power and influence over the formulation of political agendas and priorities, different types of violence against women in politics as well as prevention and protection mechanisms, including inter-party mechanisms.

Major focus was made on recent changes to the domestic electoral legislation, including the shift to a fully proportional electoral system, the use of the ICT during upcoming 2024 Parliamentary Elections nationwide, the women’s political participation and socio-economic factors as well as political factors and inter-party democracy.

The workshop proved to be an effective platform to foster and facilitate dialogue among representatives of major political parties from Ajara region and their women’s organisations.

The workshop was organised within the framework of the Council of Europe Project “Supporting Transparency, Inclusiveness and Integrity of Electoral Practice and Process in Georgia”.