About the Project

The project “Advancing gender equality, strengthening justice and support for women in Georgia” aims at supporting the efforts of state authorities, civil society and other key stakeholders in advancing gender equality, preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence, strengthening access to justice, and improving protection and support for victims  of violence. It provides assistance for the effective implementation of the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (the Istanbul Convention) in Georgia.

Building on the results and lessons learned from previous Council of Europe projects in Georgia, including Reinforcing Gender Equality and Implementing GREVIO Recommendations to Combat Violence against Women and Domestic Violence in Georgia, the project supports institutional reforms, strengthens the capacities of professionals and institutions, and promotes multi-stakeholder cooperation involving state institutions, academia, civil society, the private sector, and the information and communication technology (ICT) sector.

The project places particular emphasis on women’s economic empowerment as a preventive measure against violence, victim-centred access to justice, and emerging challenges, such as technology-facilitated violence against women.

The project is implemented within the framework of the Council of Europe Action Plan to Georgia 2024-2027 and contributes to Georgia’s efforts to meet its international human rights obligations and advance its European integration path.

Budget: EUR 400 000

 Duration: 1 January 2026 – 31 December 2026

 Continuation of the Project Reinforcing gender equality and implementing GREVIO recommendations to combat violence against women and domestic violence in Georgia

How does the project work?

Based on the findings of the GREVIO (the Group of Experts on Action against Violence against Women and Domestic Violence to the Istanbul Convention) baseline evaluation to Georgia and subsequent recommendations of the Committee of the Parties, the project adopts an evidence-based and victim-centred approach to address persistent gaps in prevention, protection, prosecution, and integrated policies.

The project also promotes behavioural change approaches to address harmful gender stereotypes and social norms that perpetuate discrimination and violence.

Who benefits from the project?

Project Partners

• Ministry of Justice of Georgia
• Public Defender’s Office of Georgia
• Municipal authorities
• National Agency for Crime Prevention, Execution of Non-custodial Sentences and Probation
• Special Penitentiary Service
• Interagency Commission on Gender Equality, Violence against Women and Domestic Violence
• State Care Agency
• Georgian Bar Association
• Ministry of Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied Territories, Labour, Health and Social Affairs of Georgia
• Universities and academic institutions
• Civil society organisations working on gender equality, violence against women and domestic violence
• International organisations working on gender equality, violence against women and domestic violence
• Private companies and ICT sector representatives

End Beneficiaries

• Women and girls at risk of violence
• Victims of violence against women and domestic violence

What do we expect to achieve?

Advanced women’s economic empowerment as a preventive measure against violence by strengthening institutional frameworks and promoting women’s access to skills, resources, and entrepreneurship opportunities, including for women in rural and minority communities.

Enhanced access to justice and victim-centred legal aid through capacity building of university legal clinics and legal professionals, ensuring that victims of violence receive timely, effective, and gender-sensitive assistance.

Strengthened prevention and awareness by engaging law students, journalists, and ICT professionals in ethical reporting, safety in technology and online, and gender equality initiatives, helping to challenge harmful stereotypes and promote responsible communication.

More effective, evidence-based policies and services through targeted studies on victim support services and perpetrator programmes, providing government institutions and service providers with tools and data to improve coordination, quality, and accountability.

Reference documents:

GREVIO baseline evaluation report on Georgia

Istanbul Convention and Explanatory Report