The News in Brief
Wednesday, March 1, 2023
Prepared by Messenger Staff
President Zourabichvili opens the 'Political Forum for Gender Equality'
The President of Georgia Salome Zourabichvili opened the political forum 'Political Forum for Gender Equality' and addressed the invited guests and forum participants.
The President spoke about the importance of women's participation in politics and reviewed the state policy and practice in this regard.
According to her, there has been significant progress in recent years in terms of women's quotas, but now there is a need for women to have a real role in decision-making.
"The main thing is not quotas (I have always thought that quotas are needed and this path is still to be followed), but a real place and real participation in decisions. In this respect, the situation is not very favorable. Women, unfortunately, we cannot yet say that they make the main decisions. I believe that the time will come when women in Georgian politics will be at the forefront, they will make decisions, they will have financial and other resources in order to say their word and this word will be weighted and heard.
.I'm going to New York, where I will participate in the 67th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women, and there, if any of your recommendations are presented, I will be your voice and your representative.
.It is necessary to fight against what is called violence against women and political violence because this is one of the biggest obstacles for women to entering politics. When women look at what is happening, and what women go through who are directly involved in politics, it is not very attractive for young people. All other fields are open to them and they can be professionally represented elsewhere and more appreciated than in politics - this should also be overcome," said the President.
Ned Price Says 'Agents of Influence' Law May Undermine Georgia's Euro-Atlantic Integration
According to the press spokesman of the US State Department, Ned Price, the United States has repeatedly expressed its deep concern with the Georgian authorities about the draft law on "agents of foreign influence".
According to Ned Price, the approval of the bill could undermine the country's Euro-Atlantic integration.
"We are deeply concerned about the possible impact of this bill on freedom of speech and democracy in Georgia. We have repeatedly expressed this concern directly to the Georgian authorities.
The initiated bill will stigmatize and stifle those independent voices in Georgia who are working hard to create a better future for their community.
We believe that the law may undermine the Euro-Atlantic integration of Georgia and the Euro-Atlantic aspirations of the Georgian people, which they have clearly expressed in recent decades", said Ned Price at the February 27 briefing.
According to the spokesperson of the State Department, they got acquainted with the draft law and it is not American, but similar to Russian or Hungarian laws.
"It is a clear lie to say that this draft law is based on our law - the "Foreign Agents Registration Act". "The bill we read seems to be based on similar Russian and Hungarian legislation, not American," said Ned Price.
President Zourabichvili opens the 'Political Forum for Gender Equality'
The President spoke about the importance of women's participation in politics and reviewed the state policy and practice in this regard.
According to her, there has been significant progress in recent years in terms of women's quotas, but now there is a need for women to have a real role in decision-making.
"The main thing is not quotas (I have always thought that quotas are needed and this path is still to be followed), but a real place and real participation in decisions. In this respect, the situation is not very favorable. Women, unfortunately, we cannot yet say that they make the main decisions. I believe that the time will come when women in Georgian politics will be at the forefront, they will make decisions, they will have financial and other resources in order to say their word and this word will be weighted and heard.
.I'm going to New York, where I will participate in the 67th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women, and there, if any of your recommendations are presented, I will be your voice and your representative.
.It is necessary to fight against what is called violence against women and political violence because this is one of the biggest obstacles for women to entering politics. When women look at what is happening, and what women go through who are directly involved in politics, it is not very attractive for young people. All other fields are open to them and they can be professionally represented elsewhere and more appreciated than in politics - this should also be overcome," said the President.
Ned Price Says 'Agents of Influence' Law May Undermine Georgia's Euro-Atlantic Integration
According to Ned Price, the approval of the bill could undermine the country's Euro-Atlantic integration.
"We are deeply concerned about the possible impact of this bill on freedom of speech and democracy in Georgia. We have repeatedly expressed this concern directly to the Georgian authorities.
The initiated bill will stigmatize and stifle those independent voices in Georgia who are working hard to create a better future for their community.
We believe that the law may undermine the Euro-Atlantic integration of Georgia and the Euro-Atlantic aspirations of the Georgian people, which they have clearly expressed in recent decades", said Ned Price at the February 27 briefing.
According to the spokesperson of the State Department, they got acquainted with the draft law and it is not American, but similar to Russian or Hungarian laws.
"It is a clear lie to say that this draft law is based on our law - the "Foreign Agents Registration Act". "The bill we read seems to be based on similar Russian and Hungarian legislation, not American," said Ned Price.