LocationsUNDP and Sweden Support Annual Forum of Women Local Councillors
Advancing Gender Equality in Politics Ahead of Georgian Elections
February 9, 2024
Women Councillors' Forum 2024
Over 150 women local councillors from across Georgia gathered for their annual conference to discuss the increasing role of women in politics and decision-making, especially in the lead-up to elections.
Supported by UNDP and Sweden in partnership with the Gender Equality Council of the Parliament of Georgia, the Women Councillors’ Political Forum brought together representatives from the Government, Parliament, civil society organizations, diplomatic missions, and international agencies.
H.E. Anna Lyberg, Ambassador of Sweden to Georgia; H.E. Meline Arakelian, Ambassador of the Netherlands to Georgia; and Douglas Webb, UNDP Resident Representative a.i. in Georgia, addressed the participants with welcoming remarks.
Nino Tsilosani, Chairperson of the Permanent Parliamentary Gender Equality Council, emphasized the significance of empowering women in prominent political roles through gender-sensitive legislation and policies.
The Forum featured dynamic panel discussions focused on the cooperation between political parties to promote gender equality in politics and the role of local councillors in crafting community-centric policies aimed at fostering gender equality. These discussions actively involved representatives from local governments and Members of Parliament spanning various political affiliations.
“In order to build an effective democracy – parliaments, governments and municipalities should reflect the whole society and not just the male part. This is central. 60 percent of Georgians believe that increased women’s involvement in politics would benefit the country. Gender equality is central in a democratic society and democratic institutions should reflect the whole society and not just part of it. As Georgia progresses towards EU integration, Sweden remains its steadfast partner in building an equitable and just society."H.E. Anna Lyberg, Ambassador of Sweden to Georgia
“Women’s political participation remains a challenge in Georgia despite the implementation of mandatory electoral gender quotas in 2020. The Political Forum of Women Councillors is a crucial platform for bolstering women politicians and introducing stronger institutional mechanisms to advance democracy and equality in local governance."Douglas Webb, UNDP Resident Representative a.i. in Georgia
Following the implementation of mandatory electoral gender quotas in 2020, Georgian women increased their parliamentary representation from 14 to almost 20 percent. In 2021, women’s representation in local councils rose from 13.8 to 24 percent. However, even with these advancements, Georgian women hold only one-fifth of parliamentary seats and one-fourth of local council seats, significantly short of making a substantial impact on decision-making.
The annual Forum of Women Local Councillors serves as a dynamic political assembly advocating for increased women's representation in all aspects of political life in Georgia. Over the past decade, women councillors from various, often adversarial political backgrounds have worked together to address a range of urgent issues affecting their communities, from enhancing municipal public services to expanding childcare options and vocational training opportunities.
As Georgia prepares for parliamentary and local elections in 2024 and 2025, the Women Local Councillors’ Forum emerges as an avenue to facilitate discussion and collaboration among political stakeholders, integrating diverse perspectives into the political agenda.
Background Information:
The Sweden-funded UN Joint Programme for Gender Equality is a flagship initiative assisting Georgia in achieving meaningful gender equality in social, economic, and policy realms. The programme is jointly implemented by three UN agencies – UNDP, UNFPA, and UN Women.
Media Contacts:
- Sophie Tchitchinadze, UNDP, +995 599 196907, sophie.tchitchinadze@undp.org
- Elene Sakvarelidze, UNDP, +995 599 003944, elene.sakvarelidze@undp.org
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