Each March in honor of Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day, people around the world celebrate women and their role in society and the community. IREX women’s empowerment programs focus on women’s leadership throughout the year.
This March, the Internet Access and Training Program (IATP) [13] organized online chats about women’s issues and conducted seminars educating women on legal rights, career, women in government, and gender issues.
In Georgia, 32 women’s rights activists, representatives of nonprofit organizations, and professionals gathered for an online chat about women’s rights with Mari Meskhi, a lawyer at the nonprofit organization Women for Future, and women’s rights activist Khatuna Sanikidze. Participants located at eight IATP sites around the country discussed Women’s History Month, the current situation of women’s rights, gender balance, and ongoing local government activities in this area.
To begin the online discussion, Meskhi presented information about a new bill on domestic violence that was recently introduced to the Georgian Parliament. The new law would allow victims of domestic violence to seek civil restraining orders from the court forcing direct abusers to stay away from the victims. The law provides immediate protection to victims of domestic violence without requiring that they pursue criminal remedies against or divorce from their abusers.
Irma Doborjginidze, a mother from Poti, asked if statistics about domestic violence exist in Georgia. Meskhi answered, “There aren’t exact numbers stating the victims of domestic violence, but according to police, 1/3 of reports at police stations are on domestic violence and abuse of women’s rights.”
The participants went on to discuss traditional female careers, the changing roles of women, and the laws that protect women against discriminatory hiring practices.
The online chat forums are becoming an important mode of technology and communications for people in Central Asia and the Caucasus to discuss issues around the country.
IREX “Women’s Online Chats and Events” Around the Region:
Armenia: IREX Alumni, teachers and NGO representatives discussed women’s roles in Armenian society in an online chat. IREX is hosting two speakers from the National Assembly of Armenia to speak about growing involvement of women in Armenian government.
Azerbaijan: Eighteen IATP users located at five access sites around the country examined the history and importance of International Women’s Day through an online chat.
Georgia: IREX Alumni are participating in legal training session on "Women's Rights in the Workplace" providing the latest information on the labor code and recent lawsuits concerning gender issues.
Russia: IREX Alumni, local NGO leaders, government officials, and representatives from the US Consulate in Vladivostok are gathering for a roundtable discussion on a variety of career issues facing women in Russia today.
Lyudmila Popkova (RSEP 98), director of the Samara Center for Gender Studies, will present the results of her research. Participants will discuss factors affecting a woman's career growth, gender discrimination at the workplace, and legislation in place to protect women at the workplace.
Tajikistan: IATP organized a technology contest for female IATP users in Garm as an opportunity for women in the community to demonstrate their technology and computer skills.
Turkmenistan: Peace Corps volunteer, Sarah Robinson, and 30 IREX alumni from all the IATP sites around Turkmenistan used online chats to discuss abuse against women. Robinson explained the different kinds of abuse and what women can do to get out of dangerous situations.
Ukraine: IREX alumni and Peace Corps volunteers talked about “Being an Independent Woman in Ukraine: Challenges and Victories” in a roundtable discussion. IREX alumni in Kyiv are organizing a panel on “Women in Government”. Presentations during the seminar feature IREX alumni with careers in the government and those working on gender issues.