The situation of women in Georgia remains complex today, even as the country gradually transitions from a totalitarian to a democratic regime.

Following the "Rose Revolution" in 2003, the state implemented major reforms across several domains, including the place of women in Georgian society.

Unfortunately, the social situation of Georgian women has not improved.

For many, it has actually worsened.

Some General Points on the Place of Women in Georgian Society

As a country that is part of the Eastern Partnership with the EU and aspiring to eventually join the European Union, Georgia must ensure it operates according to European standards. One of the EU's requirements relates to respect for equality between men and women.

Today, Georgia's rich yet turbulent past is the primary factor underlying women's rights issues.

Indeed, Georgia is still an extremely traditional society. Women are first and foremost mothers and guardians of the home. They marry, then care for their children.

Moreover, with limited sexual education and married off quickly, Georgian women become mothers at a very young age.

Furthermore, due to poor economic conditions, men leave the family home to find work abroad.

Women, now become "heads of family," must manage their homes alone and provide for their families' needs.

Each person's role in Georgian society remains determined, in part, by their gender. When a woman is raped, it is treated as a minor offense.

Domestic violence against women is frequent and affects more than half of married women.

As for divorce, men are privileged. Traditional values ensure they retain their property rights.

Moreover, divorce is considered dishonorable for the Georgian woman.

Beyond these major issues related to women's rights, Georgian women as a whole do not enjoy the same privileges.

In rural areas, career opportunities for women are minimal. They still live according to the norms and rules imposed by traditional society.

Conversely, women living in urban areas are generally better off.

Like men, they have the opportunity to pursue higher education. They are therefore financially independent and have the opportunity to hold positions of responsibility.

Social background also determines the opportunities available to each woman.

For example, women from the Georgian middle class are relatively autonomous.

For women from refugee camps, their situation is very unstable.

Indeed, they are regularly exposed to violence and struggle to integrate into the community.

The Status of the Georgian Woman

The status of the Georgian woman is often ambiguous. According to Article 14 of the constitution, adopted by the Georgian parliament in 1995, all human beings are born free and equal before the law.

In theory, relations between men and women have evolved in Georgia under the influence of Soviet ideology. According to this ideology, women have the same rights as men and can participate in all areas of public life.

Unfortunately, in practice, patriarchal traditions are deeply rooted within Georgian households.

Thus, the man is designated as the head of family. He is also the woman's support and protector.

As a result, for the woman, her role is limited to educating children and managing the household.

Still, gender equality is far from firmly established in Georgia.

Despite the Georgian state's stated good intentions, mentalities evolve very slowly.

Even today, within many Georgian families, boys are treated as little kings. As for girls, they are taught from a young age to perform household chores.

Concerning the working woman, Georgia's transition to a market economy was marked by a severe economic crisis throughout the country.

Georgian women suffered the heaviest consequences.

Today, most working women in Georgia are self-employed.

However, by running their businesses privately, they are not recognized as legal entities.

As for women working in registered private organizations or government entities, they form a minority in Georgia.

In matters of voting and eligibility, Georgian law recognizes that women and men have the same rights. Nevertheless, women are less present than men in key political positions.

For example, during the 1999 parliamentary elections, only 4 of the 39 political parties and groups had women as their leaders.

The Status of the Woman in the Absence of Her Husband

For economic reasons, many husbands and fathers leave their villages and families to work abroad (such as Russia or Azerbaijan).

The goal is to provide their families with a better life.

These husbands and fathers can be seasonal migrants or be away for an extended period. As a result, in the husband's absence, wives bear the heavy burden of managing the household.

Unfortunately, the status of "head of family" does not necessarily pass to the woman.

In the man's absence, the role of "head of family" is given to the oldest man still present in the village, a brother, or a relative living under the same roof.

Even though she must care for her household, the woman is rarely independent and remains "supervised."

In rural areas, the Georgian woman has only one way to earn her living: agriculture.

She cultivates the fields, then goes to the market to sell her produce.

For young girls in a household who have the opportunity to study, they typically bear the responsibility for the family's honor. But at the same time, they must ensure the household is maintained, the family grows, and the domestic economy functions.

Major Social Problems Affecting Georgian Women

A survey conducted by an international NGO, carried out in 2000, highlighted physical abuse. Thus, this survey reveals that violence within the home is a major problem in Georgia. Unfortunately, despite the increasing frequency of domestic violence in Georgia, it is not regarded as a social problem in the country. Instead, domestic violence is treated as a social taboo.

Victims speak about it very little, if at all, outside the family circle.

In Georgia, there is no law specifically condemning domestic violence.

It is generally accepted by Georgians. It is a social fact predominantly affecting women living in rural areas, in displaced persons camps, or refugee camps.

Implicitly, the image of the battered woman evokes that of the submissive woman. This image of the submissive woman is reinforced in urban areas through degrading advertisements displayed in public spaces. These are posters depicting Georgian women as objects.

The current socio-economic conditions in Georgia, which are difficult, have fueled an increase in human trafficking and prostitution.

Poverty and lack of employment force Georgian women and girls to resort to prostitution or seek work in countries such as Turkey, Greece, or Israel.

Most often, they prostitute themselves or find unskilled, low-wage labor.