(24 November, 2010, Tbilisi, Georgia) – On November 25, 2010, 13:00, an official launch of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence will be held at the Sheraton Metekhi Palace Hotel. The Official launch is organised by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Georgiasupported by the Parliamentary Council on Gender Equality and the State Inter-Agency Council on Domestic Violence.

Rusudan Kervalishvili – Vice Speaker of the Parliament and Chairperson of the Gender Equality Council, Lali Papiashvili – Chairperson of the State Inter-Agency Council on Domestic Violence,Jamie McGoldrick – UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in Georgia and Lela Bakradze –UNFPA Assistant Representative A.I. in Georgia will be making opening speeches at the press conference.

Within the framework of the event, an award ceremony for the Best Gender Media Works contest will take place. The contest was announced in the beginning of 2010 within the framework of the UNFPA implemented project “Combating Gender-based Violence in the South Caucasus” and aimed at raising journalists’ professional interest in women’s rights and domestic violence.

The event will be attended by members of the Parliament of Georgia, representatives of government, diplomatic corps, UN agencies, international and local organizations and media.

16 days of Activism against Gender Based Violence is an international campaign observed annually worldwide from November 25th to December 10th. The campaign aims at elimination of all forms of violence against women by raising awareness about gender-based violence and strengthening efforts around women’s rights. Since 1991 over 2,000 organizations in approximately 154 countries have participated in the campaign.

Traditionally, the 16 Days of Activism 2010in Georgia is coordinated by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) implemented project “Combating Gender-Based Violence in the South Caucasus” in collaboration with governmental and non-governmental organizations and further supported by the Parliamentary Advisory Council on Gender Equality. Within the framework of the campaign, over 70 activities are planned to be held by different international and non-governmental organizations covering different parts of Georgia.

For more information, please contact:
Tamar Vashakidze, GBV-SC
United Nations Population Fund
Tel: 995 32 55 01 65 (104)
995 99 92 56 11
Email: vashakidze@unfpa.org