Public Defender urges gov’t to strengthen women’s rights protections

The celebration of International Women’s Day on March 8 continues to highlight issues such as protecting women’s labor rights, promoting their participation in decision-making processes, and combating violence, the Public Defender’s Office of Georgia said in a statement.

“In the fight against violence against women and domestic violence, Georgia has strengthened its legal framework over the past decade, introduced various protection and support mechanisms, enhanced victim protection services, and improved coordination among relevant agencies. These reforms have significantly impacted the detection, prevention, and effective response to cases of violence,” the statement said.

At the same time, the Public Defender noted that a consistent and effective state policy is still necessary to further strengthen the system for combating violence against women and domestic violence.

“According to the Prosecutor General’s Office of Georgia, 12 femicides and 21 attempted femicides were recorded in 2025. In some cases, the state had prior information about potential violence, yet the murder or attempted murder of women could not be prevented.

Despite measures to empower women economically, full realization of women’s labor rights—including equal participation in economic life and equal pay—remains a significant challenge,” Public Defender’s statement notes.

The Public Defender called on the state to take systematic and effective steps to protect women’s rights, promote empowerment, and ensure equal participation in political and economic life. The office also expressed its readiness to cooperate with state agencies in advancing gender equality, the statement added.