Press Release

On May 15, 2009, United Nations Population Fund office in Georgia celebrated International Day of Families, instituted in 1993 by the United Nations General Assembly in its resolution 47/237 of September 20.

The objective of the family day is to highlight the role of families as basic social units and the need to pay adequate attention to the family dimensions in the development policies and plans. This year's International Day of Families, was commemorated under the theme, "Mothers and Families: Challenges in a Changing World," focusing on the important role of mothers for families and communities around the world.

In his special message on the International Day of Families, the Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon underlined role of mothers in their invaluable contribution to raising the next generation and named ending and preventing violence against women as a key priority for all countries. "Violence against women, many of whom are mothers, remains one of the most pervasive human rights violations of our time. It has far-reaching consequences - endangering the lives of women and girls, harming their families and communities, and damaging the very fabric of societies.,"- stated Secretary-General" - "...By rewarding their efforts and enhancing their living conditions, we can secure a better future for all."

UNFPA Georgia, within the framework of EU/UNFPA co-funded project "Reproductive Health Initiative For Youth in the South Caucasus"(RHIYC) marked International Day of Families by openning a new youth-friendly Reproductive Health Information Centre at Ilia Chavhavadze State University and Reproductive Health Medical Centre at "Tbilisi Family Medicine Clinic and Training Center" (TFMCTC). The Youth Reproductive Health (RH) Center will provide young people with free RH counseling, contraceptives, affordable diagnostic and treatment, as well as wide range of information on reproductive health issues. In addition, within the framework of the event, winners of the RHIYC online interactive contest on RH issues were awarded.

RHIYC project aims at making sustainable improvement of reproductive health (RH) and rights of youth. One of the major objectives of the project is to improve the access of young people to youth friendly reproductive health services. In the frame of this component 16 Youth RH Medical-information Centers will be opened all over the Georgia.

Another UNFPA implemented project "Combating Gender-Based Violence in the South Caucasus" marked the International Day of Families by publishing winning articles collected within the framework of the Journalists' Contest on Women's Rights held earlier in March 2009. Articles focused on women's rights, their access to and discrimination practices on the job market as well as on prevalence, causes and consequences of domestic violence in Georgia and worldwide. The articles were published in most popular and affordable publications newspaper "Alia" and magazine "Tbiliselebi" targeting average Georgian men and women to raise their awareness on gender issues and domestic violence.

Combating Gender Based Violence in the South Caucasus" Project is a mutli-pronged, 3-year initiative funded by UNFPA and the Royal government of Norway. The project aims to combat GBV (particularly domestic violence) in the South Caucasus and support Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia in order to support protection of human rights, gender equality and women's participation.

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