On January 9, 2023, the Public Defender of Georgia submitted an alternative (shadow) report to the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) – on the implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women by the Georgian authorities. The alternative report echoes the 6^th Periodic Report submitted by Georgia to the Committee and reviews the measures taken by the Government to implement the Convention.

The Public Defender’s alternative report reviews shortcomings in the national legislation, including the inconsistency of the definition of sexual crimes with the Istanbul Convention, the absence of a definition of violence/crimes committed in the name of “honor”, improper regulation of economic violence, etc.

The alternative report assesses the rights situation and needs of various vulnerable groups of women, namely women with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, women living in regions and rural areas, women living in occupied territories, victims of armed conflict and internally displaced women.

The Public Defender provided CEDAW with information about the current situation of violence against women. In particular, the alternative report evaluates the reactionary and preventive measures taken by the State to combat violence against women and the available support services/mechanisms for female victims.

In addition, the alternative report reviews the effectiveness of institutional mechanisms for gender equality in Georgia, inadequate education of minors about sexual and reproductive health and rights within the formal education system, important issues relating to women’s health and health care, such as maternal health and family planning services, etc.

The UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women will discuss the report submitted by Georgia at the 84^th session, which will be held from February 6 to February 24. After the end of the session, the Committee will adopt a final opinion, in which the implementation of the Convention by Georgia will be evaluated and recommendations of the Committee will be offered.

When communicating separately with patients, they had no objections and claims to the staff regarding the conditions and treatment.

It turned out that the Branch was provided with all the medicines necessary on the day of the inspection, the expiration date of which had not expired during a selective inspection.

When studying the conditions of detention and living conditions of prisoners held in Detention Facility No. 11, it was found that the heating equipment in the cells was working in good condition. However, due to the fact that part of the walls and the roof of the cells were damaged and needed to be repaired, the colony administration was given a recommendation to eliminate the discovered shortcoming.

When talking with the prisoners, there were no complaints about the conditions of their detention and the staff of the colony.