Women Human Rights Defenders in Georgia: Analyses of the Situation of Women Human Rights Defenders in Georgia

Abstract: Women human rights defenders are the center of the thesis (WHRDs). The thesis is based on my three years of professional experience as a human rights defender, which have given me a thorough awareness of the challenges WHRDs encounters and the knowledge I obtained through the postgraduate course. Considering that I was unfamiliar with the exact challenges WHRDs faced, I wanted to examine problems from their viewpoints. I have seen what my colleagues were going through, but I have never experienced it myself as a male human rights defender. The thesis investigates the WHRDs situation in Georgia. Using qualitative semi-structured interviews with WHRDs in Georgia, it explores specific gendered challenges WHRDs face while advocating women’s rights, gender issues, and LGBTQ+ rights. The thesis also covers coping mechanisms while WHRDs navigate the risk. Because there is a scarcity of academic study on the subject in Georgia, the thesis focuses solely on WHRDs who advocate for, promote, and safeguard women's rights, gender problems, and LGBTQ+ rights. The research focuses on the following elements in Georgia that contribute to WHRDs: gendered obstacles and challenges, protection and security strategies, and societal attitudes. These topics are examined through the perspective of a gender lens. Examining these characteristics reveals that WHRDs are frequently subjected to gender-based violence (GBV), which manifests in many forms and ways. Furthermore, it appraises that WHRDs in Georgia lack gender-sensitive protection and security approaches. The thesis concludes by exploring the context of patriarchy and heteronormativity as the root of discriminatory practices, stereotypical views and generalized misconceptions reflected in the activities of WHRDs.