An online workshop was held on 'More women in (self)governance and barriers female candidates face', co-organised in cooperation with the Central Election Commission of Georgia.

Franck Daeschler, Deputy Head of the Council of Europe Elections and Civil Society Division and Giorgi Sharabidze, Acting Chairperson of the Central Election Commission delivered opening remarks. An effective dialogue platform was opened for the representatives from civil society organisations and political parties, election officials, Chairperson of the CEC Gender Equality Council, Chairperson of the Permanent Parliamentary Gender Equality Council to exchange views on joint efforts aimed at enhancing women's political empowerment to impact democratisation processes in the country. Caterina Bolognese, Head of the Council of Europe Gender Equality Division, introduced to the audience the Council of Europe policy and legal instruments on gender equality and balanced participation of women and men in decision-making. Participants discussed challenges that women politicians and candidates face, in the context of upcoming local elections on 2 October 2021, and measures to promote active engagement of women in electoral processes.

The training was organised within the framework of the Council of Europe Project ‘Supporting Transparency, Inclusiveness and Integrity of Electoral Practice and Process in Georgia’.