In Georgia, one of the most alarming issues regarding the human rights protection is still gender equality. Society still lives with stereotypes, which, in most cases justify domestic violence against women. Concept of gender-motivated killings of women and girls is associated with structural discrimination system against them. According to the Public Defender’s special report 2015 on women’s rights, the scale and intensity of violence against women and domestic violence was alarming in the reporting period. In 2015, criminal investigations into 26 cases of murder and attempted murder of women have been launched. Out of this, 14 cases were classified as domestic violence.

On December 15, the Union “Sapari” published survey report, prepared with the support of Open Society Georgia Foundation, which aimed to raise awareness on femicide and the State’s commitments: Preparation of analysis of international standards with regard to the femicide and positive obligation of the state, which will assist relevant agencies operating in Georgia to adequately respond to violence against women in order to avoid a fatal results. While, in case of murder of women, connection between the murder and gender discrimination should be determined and the positive obligation of the state should be recognized, as in case of a number of international instruments. Prevention of gender-motivated crimes is possible through a comprehensive approach, which includes legal, administrative, political and other measures developed for elimination of socio-political, economic, cultural and other factors of discrimination and violence.

States should recognize that femicide is a crime, which is a result of omission or inadequate respond by public agencies or officials, since they fail to ensure the protection of women’s rights that have been repeatedly subjected to discrimination and violence.

Femicide – Hate Crime and the State’s Obligation to Combat It (Geo)