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Statement to: Government of Georgia! Public organizations! Media! Leaders of different denominations! Ordinary citizens!

Wecanallagree,that the time for blaming each other, for self-justification, andsearching for guilty has long gone. Today is a moment, when everyone must feel shame and remorse over the violence taking place around us, which is not only remained unpunished butgained enormous scales.  Each following crime made permanent wound on the whole body of society, put in doubt existingsystem of values and endangered the future of our children. The most outrageous is that it took the lives of two dozensof innocent women.

More than ten years, we strive for drawing attention to the problem from different platforms. More than 10 years, we try to win everyone who observes, listens and rejects violence, over our way of thinking, whether it ismanorwoman, decision-maker or ordinary citizen, family member, friend,or neighbor. For more than ten years, we are ringing thealarming bells.

The slogans, such as “No to violence!”, “Violence is a cruelty!”, “Let’s unite against genderviolence!”, “Peace in and peace out!” - have been worn out.…

The TVs were full of the shows andsocial ads…

Massive campaignsand street demonstrations have become traditional…

The number of people, Media,civil societyorganizations, involved in the public campaigns, have been annually increased.

Numerous round tables, public discussions, capacity-building, awareness-raising activities, and forum-theatre performances have been carriedout…

Lots of letters and statements, recommendations and legislative initiativeshave beenmade.

We have urged society - “don’t close your eyes, don’t plug your ears - together we will resist the violence!”…but nevertheless we were unable towithstandthe violence!

We welcomethe initiative of the Minister of Education, but we bitterly remember the years, when we had to struggle for entering the schools, making discussions on interpersonal relations, unacceptability of violence, andtolerance…

We welcomethe statement of the President of Georgiaon announcing the year of 2015as the “Year of Women”, but thelives of dozens of women are incredibly expensive price. Since 2006, when anti-domestic violence law entered into a force, the state was unableto find sufficient funds to prevent violence and assist victims effectively.

We welcomethe initiative of President of Georgia to meet the leaders of different denominations and their commitment to take a united stand against gender violence.  Our experience proved that involvement of leaders of denominations in the prevention of violence is rather important, as there is no religion which gives a “green light” to violence, encourages the strong to oppress the weak, and rejects the family values.

Today we all criticize the police for lack of competence, examples of “male solidarity”, however we have to admit that in the circumstances where there are lack of shelters,crisis centers, and inefficient referral mechanisms, when the coordination and cooperation between relevant governmental agencies is practically not existent, it is rather difficult to adequately respond and tackle the problem. It became obvious that the law against violence is nothing without effective mechanisms for its implementation.Existing reality broke the legend, that only those, who have no information regarding their rights, who do not seek help are becoming victims of violence. The State turned out powerless to effectively fight against violence and protect its citizens.

The Violence against Women is an issue which requires more attention and response from the state, society, all institutions, everyone and each of us. We have to be responsive toward the facts happening around us, and do not perceive it as a norm of our life! 

Don’t close your eyes!

Don’t plug your ears!

Someone next to us asks for help!

Women Non-Governmental Organization “Cultural-Humanitarian Fund “Sukhumi”