The undemocratic processes taking place in the 10th Parliament, the ineffective performance of its functions, the deterioration of its transparency, and political polarization also affected the Parliament’s activities regarding gender equality, The activities of the Gender Equality Council were of a formal nature. The Council did not respond  to significant challenges, which were related to both the existing problems in the country in  terms of women’s rights, as well as the use of hate speech against female MPs in the legislative body.

Main activities carried out regarding gender equality

• The Parliament adopted the “State Concept of Gender Equality” and the “State Concept of  Women’s Economic Empowerment”;
• One of the 12 recommendations issued by the European Union for granting Georgia the status  of an EU candidate country concerned the strengthening of gender equality. To implement the  recommendation, legislative amendments were made with the involvement of the Gender  Equality Council;
• A legislative package was initiated, which envisaged the abolition of “victim status” as a prerequisite for using asylum services;
• A group established by the Council, with the involvement of experts, developed a concept and  methodology for integrating Gender Impact Analysis (GIA) into the activities of the Parliament;
• The Council worked on the issue of changing the status of single parents and amendments to  the Law “On Gender Equality”.

Challenges

•  The gender quota rule, which was an essential mechanism for women’s involvement in 

politics, was abolished;

• The Council has not supervised the executive branch of the government. The Government of  Georgia has not submitted reports to the Council within the established deadline;
• The Council’s action plan did not envisage ambitious commitments to be implemented  effectively in a timely manner, including initiating significant legislative changes based on  international obligations. The indicators and deadlines for implementation provided for in the  Gender Equality Council’s action plan were of a general nature;
• An advisory group consisting of representatives of local and international organizations was  not established in the Council, which would ensure the intensive involvement of experts in  the Council’s activities;
• A gender analysis of the legislation and a gender analysis of the budget have not been carried  out.

Recommendations for improving legislation: 

• To strengthen gender equality, it is important that Georgian legislation is fully aligned with the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (Istanbul Convention). It is necessary to align sexual crimes, including the definition of rape, with the Istanbul Convention;
•  Amendments to the law on sexual crimes against minors should be continued and supported;
•  It is crucial to develop a draft law in a timely manner that will regulate femicide with a special  provision in the Criminal Code;
• Gender Impact Analysis (GIA) of important legislation should be carried out with the involvement of committees;
• Gender analysis of draft budgets should be carried out annually.

Recommendations regarding the activities of the Gender Equality Council: 

• The Gender Equality Council should fully exercise its powers, both in determining gender  equality policy, as well as in engaging in the legislative process and performing its supervisory  function;
• The Council, based on its functions, should fulfill its main goal and contribute to the achievement  of gender equality in practice, improving legislation, and should effectively respond to critical  events and citizens’ statements;
• The Council should strengthen supervision of the activities of the executive branch related to  gender issues, summon authorized persons to sittings, issue recommendations, and monitor  their implementation;
• MPs should attend Council meetings and exercise the rights and duties assigned by law;
• Accountable persons should responsibly fulfill the obligations assigned by law and submit  reports to the Council in a timely manner;
• The Council should effectively and periodically monitor the implementation of recommendations  issued by thematic study groups;
• The Council’s activities should be transparent. The Council’s statements should be published  on the Parliament’s official website.