2008-09-05
SI support for women, culture and education in Georgia
In the wake of the conflict in Georgia, local women’s organizations in the region have reported extensive rape and looting. But the situation of women in Caucasus has long been severely neglected. Even prior to the conflict between Georgia and Russia, therefore, the Swedish Institute decided to strengthen women’s rights, both by collaborating with Swedish organizations active in the region and by other means.
Besides promoting the rights of women, the SI also intends to support the development of both children’s literature and model libraries. Hitherto, the Institute has provided approximately SEK 1 million in funding to Georgia, as part of the Swedish Government’s Eastern Europe Reform Program.
“Despite the progress being made towards democracy in Georgia, oppression of women is widespread there,” says SI Director General Olle Wästberg. “Bride-snatching, for instance – the kidnapping of girls by men wanting to marry them – is still practised.”
“It is vitally important that these issues are not ignored now that the outside world is so preoccupied with the political conflict in the area,” says Olle Wästberg. “If Georgia is to be brought into the democratic fold, the position of women in the country must improve.”
Background to the support program
The reason why the SI and other agencies are embarking on new projects in Georgia, e.g. in the cultural sphere, is that the country is a priority partner state in this year’s Swedish government program for Eastern European reform. Here, the SI is acting to enhance skills in a number of fields identified by local partners as being in urgent need of development. During the present initial year of the project, the SI’s activity budget of SEK 1 million has primarily been used for reconnaissance trips to the region and for funding to organizations such as the Kvinna till Kvinna Foundation and the Swedish Association of Hard of Hearing People (HRF). Already, however, the SI has begun inviting other organizations, local politicians and cultural workers active in the country to join the work.
Culture and education
Other priority areas for development are education and culture. Here, the SI will be seeking to develop children’s literature in the country, and also to build up model libraries.
“There are not enough books and teaching aids in Georgian schools,” says Olle Wästberg. “Also, there is very little modern literature available to young readers. The libraries that were in place during the Soviet era have almost completely gone, and those that are left are in terrible condition. Strengthening education and culture is of crucial importance for the reconstruction of Georgia and for furthering its progress towards democracy. Giving children the chance to develop and ensuring that schools are in proper shape are both essential in this respect.”
“We want to build up a model Swedish library that can serve as a gathering point and as a municipal living-room,” says Sylvia Augustinsson, the SI project manager for the Georgia project. “We also want to support the development of domestic teaching aids and children’s literature, through contact between Swedish and Georgian authors.”
Working with agencies and organizations
The SI has chosen to work both with non-governmental organizations and with central and local government institutions, since the country’s NGOs represent innovative thinking and openness while the institutions can ensure long-term sustainability.
“Interest among Swedish partners has increased since the conflict with Russia intensified in early August,” says Sylvia Augustinsson. “Nowadays, the Institute is being approached by numerous Swedish organizations that are very keen to help Georgia and know a lot about the country. They often lack an initial means of contact, however, and this is something we can help them with.”
For further information, please contact:
Sylvia Augustinsson, Project Manager, Swedish Institute, tel: +46 8-453 79 04, email: 
Joakim Lindberg, Press and Information Manager, Swedish Institute, tel: +46 8-453 78 01, email: 
www.si.se