The Council of Europe’s project “Promoting an Integrated Approach to End Violence against Women and Enhancing Gender Equality in Georgia” together with the Inter-agency Commission on Gender Equality, Violence against Women and Domestic Violence is launching a series of online sessions “Q&A on violence against women and domestic violence during COVID - 19 pandemic”.

The sessions will be moderated by the Advisor to the Prime Minister on Human Rights and Gender Equality Lela Akiashvili. The first session will be held on 15 May at 15:30.

These online Q&A sessions will be broadcasted once per week on the official Facebook page of the Council of Europe Office in Georgia and Human Rights Council.

As more and more countries are reporting a rise in domestic violence cases during covid-19 quarantines and restrictions, the risks for women isolated at home with their abusers is materialising. In response, it is important that the general public better understand and identify domestic violence and other forms of violence against women and that women and girls facing violence learn about existing protection mechanisms and available social and other support services provided by the government, state agencies and non-governmental organisations in line with the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (Istanbul Convention) to which Georgia is a state party.

Anyone can ask a question about violence against women in relation to COVID-19 and obtain responses from authorities and experts online. The questions will be gathered in advance through a form which will ensure the person’s anonymity.

The 0nline Sessions “Q&A on violence against women and domestic violence” are organised in the framework of the Project 'Promoting an Integrated Approach to End Violence against Women and Enhancing Gender Equality in Georgia'.