State Continues to Pursue Strict Policy against Domestic Violence amid Pandemic

The state continues to pursue a strict policy against domestic violence and violence against women amid the crisis caused by COVID-19.

The Interagency Commission on Gender Equality of the Human Rights Council is continuing its campaign to raise awareness about domestic violence together with local and international partners. A communications strategy on domestic violence and violence against women during the COVID-19 crisis has been developed as well.

The main objective of the campaign is to reach the relevant parties with information on the services and assistance offered by the state to victims of violence while also offering alternative ways of reporting domestic violence and violence against women, and involving the public in exposing violence during the crisis.

Information on counseling and emergency hotlines, as well as shelters and crisis centers, is being disseminated in quarantine hotels throughout the entire country within the campaign, in cooperation with the Interagency Commission on Gender Equality, Violence against Women, and Domestic Violence of the Government of Georgia and the National Tourism Administration of the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development.

Based on international practice, the risk of violence increases during a crisis. Therefore, it is important for all citizens returning to the country to have access to information on the services available in the state.

Starting next week, information on the services and hotlines available in the state will be displayed in pharmacy chains and stores throughout the country, as part of the campaign. The communications campaign will also be translated to the languages used by ethnic minorities with the help of partner organizations.