Closing of the Disability Rights Advocacy Project of 2021-2022 and Launching a New 2022-2025 Initiative
On January 27, 2023, the organizations "Changes for Equal Rights" and "Coalition for Independent Living" closed the 2021-2023 project "Civil Society Action for Promoting Human Rights of Persons With Disabilities in Georgia" and implemented a new project for 2022-2025, "Civil Society’s Coordinated Advocacy for Implementing Disability Rights Commitments in Georgia”.
The presentation took place in a hybrid format and it was possible to attend it both face-to-face and online.
The project implemented in 2021-2023, "Civil Society Action for Promoting Human Rights of Persons With Disabilities in Georgia ", aimed to strengthen civil society and improve access to justice for persons with disabilities and eliminate discrimination through the development of legal services and effective advocacy.
Within the framework of the project, attention was focused on women with disabilities, representatives of ethnic minorities with disabilities and their challenges.
In Tbilisi, Adjara and Kakheti, advocacy groups for the rights of persons with disabilities were established, which provided legal advice to those who wished to do so and, if necessary, ensured their representation in court.
Based on the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, a training module was created for judges, which is planned to be introduced in the future, in the continuing education programs of the Higher School of Justice.
In collaboration with local researchers, the project explored the specific needs, day-to-day challenges and experiences of people with psychosocial needs and their carers, based on which capacity reform progress was assessed and recommendations were developed.
As for the 2023-2025 project - "Civil Society’s Coordinated Advocacy for Implementing Disability Rights Commitments in Georgia ", it envisages the strengthening of civil society organizations to monitor and contribute to the implementation of international and national legislation and policies on the rights of persons with disabilities.
Within the framework of the project, periodic thematic meetings of organizations working on disability issues will be held at the municipal and regional levels to identify gaps in local policy documents and plan joint events to advocate for change.
The first podcast on disability in Georgia will be prepared, which will host experts, decision-makers and community representatives.
The event was attended by: Member of the Parliament of Georgia Rati Ionatamishvili, Mayor of Batumi, Archil Chikovani, Minister of Health and Social Protection of the Adjara, Nino Nizharadze, Minister of Education of Adjara, Maya Khajishvili, representative of the High School of Justice, Gvantsa Khutsishvili, organizations working on the topic of disabilities, and the representative of the EU delegation in Georgia, Alexandra Bryson.