Ekaterine Aghdgomelashvili
Ekaterine Aghdgomelashvili was born on May 19, 1969. In 1991 Ekaterine graduated from the Physics Faculty of the Tbilisi State University. She continued studying German language and literature in 1995-97 also at Tbilisi State University - Faculty of Western European Languages and Literature, In 1997-98 she took a course in journalism in Greek - Georgian Humanitarian Academy.
Since 1993 she has worked with different non-governmental organizations. Since 2000 she represents “Women’s Initiatives Supporting Group” (WISG) as an executive director. She leads WISG’s women’s rights programme which is focused on LB women’s and transgender persons’ empowerment since 2005. In 2005-2006 Ekaterine was invited by OSGF in Women’s Programm’s Expert Committee as a Chairwomen. At the same time, in 2006-09 she works with (and is a founder of) the Inclusive Foundation (the first Georgian LGBT organization) as a Program Director and Editor of ME Magazine.
As a researcher she works on gender and sexuality issues since 2003. In this period Eka Aghdgomelashvili studies the representation of sexual orientation and gender identity in Georgian printed media and homophobic hate speech. Alongside with media monitoring, she is also actively involved in the process of training journalists as an invited trainer that provides journalists with information regarding coverage of LGBT issues. It is noteworthy, that in 2006-2010 Ekaterine was a member of Gender Equality Council at the Georgian Public Broadcaster. She is currently a member of the Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics.
She Is the author/co-author of different guidelines, studies, reports and policy papers concerning gender/LBT issues in Georgia, including: Representation of sexual orientation/gender identity in Georgian media, Situation of LBT Women in Georgia, Implementation of CM/Rec(2010)5 in Georgia; Study of sexual and self-destructive behavior among LBT women in Georgia; Study of societal attitudes and knowledge on LGBT persons and their rights in Georgia etc.
She is a member of the UN Women's Civil Society Advisory Group.
As a feminist and human rights defender, Ms. Aghdgomelashvili has faced oppression and persecution. The case filed to the European Court of Human Rights about homophobic treatment by the police, is the first homophobic case sent to the ECHR from Georgia (at the moment, Women’s Initiatives Supporting Group is working on the second case for ECHR regarding the violence that occurred on May 17, 2013 in Tbilisi). It is noteworthy that Ekaterine Aghdgomelashvili received the special women’s rights defenders’ award for the help and support of the LBT activists harmed during the May 17 demonstration, as well as for her long-term work and struggle for improving the situation of LGBT people in Georgia.
Phone: +995 599915000
Since 1993 she has worked with different non-governmental organizations. Since 2000 she represents “Women’s Initiatives Supporting Group” (WISG) as an executive director. She leads WISG’s women’s rights programme which is focused on LB women’s and transgender persons’ empowerment since 2005. In 2005-2006 Ekaterine was invited by OSGF in Women’s Programm’s Expert Committee as a Chairwomen. At the same time, in 2006-09 she works with (and is a founder of) the Inclusive Foundation (the first Georgian LGBT organization) as a Program Director and Editor of ME Magazine.
As a researcher she works on gender and sexuality issues since 2003. In this period Eka Aghdgomelashvili studies the representation of sexual orientation and gender identity in Georgian printed media and homophobic hate speech. Alongside with media monitoring, she is also actively involved in the process of training journalists as an invited trainer that provides journalists with information regarding coverage of LGBT issues. It is noteworthy, that in 2006-2010 Ekaterine was a member of Gender Equality Council at the Georgian Public Broadcaster. She is currently a member of the Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics.
She Is the author/co-author of different guidelines, studies, reports and policy papers concerning gender/LBT issues in Georgia, including: Representation of sexual orientation/gender identity in Georgian media, Situation of LBT Women in Georgia, Implementation of CM/Rec(2010)5 in Georgia; Study of sexual and self-destructive behavior among LBT women in Georgia; Study of societal attitudes and knowledge on LGBT persons and their rights in Georgia etc.
She is a member of the UN Women's Civil Society Advisory Group.
As a feminist and human rights defender, Ms. Aghdgomelashvili has faced oppression and persecution. The case filed to the European Court of Human Rights about homophobic treatment by the police, is the first homophobic case sent to the ECHR from Georgia (at the moment, Women’s Initiatives Supporting Group is working on the second case for ECHR regarding the violence that occurred on May 17, 2013 in Tbilisi). It is noteworthy that Ekaterine Aghdgomelashvili received the special women’s rights defenders’ award for the help and support of the LBT activists harmed during the May 17 demonstration, as well as for her long-term work and struggle for improving the situation of LGBT people in Georgia.
Phone: +995 599915000
less
Related Authors
InterestsView All (51)
Uploads
Videos by Ekaterine Aghdgomelashvili
@ Women's Initiatives Supporitng Group (WISG)
The project was financially supported by: Norwegian Helsinki Committee
Papers by Ekaterine Aghdgomelashvili
In 1975 the American Psychological Association backed that decision and in 1990 the World Health Organization joined in by amending its “International Classification of Diseases” (ICD-10) . This logical result of the development of medical thinking was preceded by interesting studies and heated debates. Published in ME Magazine # 2(11)2009. pp.10-13
One of the most prevalent stereotypes about homosexuals in our society is that gays represent an inversion, of sorts, of gender roles. The myth of gay men’s femininity and lesbians’ masculinity, like many gender stereotypes, is based more on preconceived notions rather than scientific knowledge. Numerous anthropological and ethnographic studies have confirmed that notions of “typical woman” and “typical man” are
quite relative and subject to change according to both culture and a given society’s level of development. The only thing that can be called a general characteristic of these diverse stereotypes is the gender asymmetry that is manifested both in the status of men and women in society and its institutions that reflects a given culture’s assessments and expectations in relation to gender.
Our interviewee is Mr Vasil Kobakhidze, the author of numerous articles about the church and societal problems. Published in ME magazine #2 (8)2008. pp.16-21
In contrast to European countries and the USA - where the demand for social and political changes has come from members of society themselves and the state merely carries out their will – for countries which acceded the EU relatively late or still aspire to join, the changes needed to bring local legislation into line with EU values are generally implemented on the basis of Council of Europe recommendations or under pressure from international organizations. Therefore, in such cases, the state plays the decisive role in protecting the rights of minorities and leads the country forward in this respect. Given this context, the battle for LGBT rights demands that local organizations pursue different strategies and tactics based on their location.
However, the rich experience of civic and political activism which the LGBT movement has acquired over its short history is still relevant for organizations wherever they operate. Restrictions of space prevent us from completely covering all aspects of the history of the LGBT movement, so this article will confine itself mainly to discussing how the movement developed early on, placing a special focus on the USA, where the LGBT movement was the most diverse and the biggest in scope. Published in MAGAZINE ME 1(10), 2009. pp.19-25.
What is the strategy that can be used by LGBT human rights defenders in order to occupy their place in public space, when the state cannot (or does not) provide our efficient protection from violence of third parties, civil society is weak and fragmented, and LGBT movement is just learning to stand on its own feet.
Strategising for Gender Equality in Central and Eastern Europe, Berlin: Heinrich Böll Foundation Volume 38 of the Publication Series on Democracy, pp 11-14.
Books by Ekaterine Aghdgomelashvili
the “Women’s Initiative Supporting Group” (WISG) from January 2017 to
January 2018. Together with the cases of 2017, the report contains the
decisions on the cases included in the 2016 Litigation Report “Unidentified
Violence” by WISG, since part of the cases in the mentioned report,
continued and came to a result in 2017. The document also includes
those cases, which were ignored but are documented by the lawyers of
the organization.
The report aims to highlight those main problems, which emerge
in the process of investigating homophobic and transphobic crimes or
discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation and gender identity.
In broad terms the Recommendation does three things:
a) It emphasizes the key principle, that human rights are universal and apply to all individuals, including therefore LGBT persons;
b) It acknowledges the fact of the centuries-old and continuing discrimination experienced by LGBT persons on account of their sexual orientation or gender identity;
c) It recognizes that specific action is required to ensure the full enjoyment of human rights by LGBT persons, and sets out the measures required of member state governments.
The Recommendation was agreed unanimously by the 47 Council of Europe member states. Although, as a Recommendation rather than a Convention, it is not legally binding, it is based solidly on the existing legally binding international and European human rights obligations of the member states, which therefore have a clear duty to implement its main elements.
The purpose of this report was to assess what progress has been made by Georgian authorities in implementing the Recommendation, and to highlight the areas were further action is needed. By documenting which measures have, and which have not been completed, it provides a base line against which to measure further progress in implementing the Recommendation in the coming years.
@ Women's Initiatives Supporitng Group (WISG)
The project was financially supported by: Norwegian Helsinki Committee
In 1975 the American Psychological Association backed that decision and in 1990 the World Health Organization joined in by amending its “International Classification of Diseases” (ICD-10) . This logical result of the development of medical thinking was preceded by interesting studies and heated debates. Published in ME Magazine # 2(11)2009. pp.10-13
One of the most prevalent stereotypes about homosexuals in our society is that gays represent an inversion, of sorts, of gender roles. The myth of gay men’s femininity and lesbians’ masculinity, like many gender stereotypes, is based more on preconceived notions rather than scientific knowledge. Numerous anthropological and ethnographic studies have confirmed that notions of “typical woman” and “typical man” are
quite relative and subject to change according to both culture and a given society’s level of development. The only thing that can be called a general characteristic of these diverse stereotypes is the gender asymmetry that is manifested both in the status of men and women in society and its institutions that reflects a given culture’s assessments and expectations in relation to gender.
Our interviewee is Mr Vasil Kobakhidze, the author of numerous articles about the church and societal problems. Published in ME magazine #2 (8)2008. pp.16-21
In contrast to European countries and the USA - where the demand for social and political changes has come from members of society themselves and the state merely carries out their will – for countries which acceded the EU relatively late or still aspire to join, the changes needed to bring local legislation into line with EU values are generally implemented on the basis of Council of Europe recommendations or under pressure from international organizations. Therefore, in such cases, the state plays the decisive role in protecting the rights of minorities and leads the country forward in this respect. Given this context, the battle for LGBT rights demands that local organizations pursue different strategies and tactics based on their location.
However, the rich experience of civic and political activism which the LGBT movement has acquired over its short history is still relevant for organizations wherever they operate. Restrictions of space prevent us from completely covering all aspects of the history of the LGBT movement, so this article will confine itself mainly to discussing how the movement developed early on, placing a special focus on the USA, where the LGBT movement was the most diverse and the biggest in scope. Published in MAGAZINE ME 1(10), 2009. pp.19-25.
What is the strategy that can be used by LGBT human rights defenders in order to occupy their place in public space, when the state cannot (or does not) provide our efficient protection from violence of third parties, civil society is weak and fragmented, and LGBT movement is just learning to stand on its own feet.
Strategising for Gender Equality in Central and Eastern Europe, Berlin: Heinrich Böll Foundation Volume 38 of the Publication Series on Democracy, pp 11-14.
the “Women’s Initiative Supporting Group” (WISG) from January 2017 to
January 2018. Together with the cases of 2017, the report contains the
decisions on the cases included in the 2016 Litigation Report “Unidentified
Violence” by WISG, since part of the cases in the mentioned report,
continued and came to a result in 2017. The document also includes
those cases, which were ignored but are documented by the lawyers of
the organization.
The report aims to highlight those main problems, which emerge
in the process of investigating homophobic and transphobic crimes or
discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation and gender identity.
In broad terms the Recommendation does three things:
a) It emphasizes the key principle, that human rights are universal and apply to all individuals, including therefore LGBT persons;
b) It acknowledges the fact of the centuries-old and continuing discrimination experienced by LGBT persons on account of their sexual orientation or gender identity;
c) It recognizes that specific action is required to ensure the full enjoyment of human rights by LGBT persons, and sets out the measures required of member state governments.
The Recommendation was agreed unanimously by the 47 Council of Europe member states. Although, as a Recommendation rather than a Convention, it is not legally binding, it is based solidly on the existing legally binding international and European human rights obligations of the member states, which therefore have a clear duty to implement its main elements.
The purpose of this report was to assess what progress has been made by Georgian authorities in implementing the Recommendation, and to highlight the areas were further action is needed. By documenting which measures have, and which have not been completed, it provides a base line against which to measure further progress in implementing the Recommendation in the coming years.
Following report analyses problems of the identification and inadequate responses from the side of the State regarding cases of the violence against women and gender-based violence. The report is based on the cases that organization has worked on in the reporting period. This includes the investigation of the cases of hate crimes committed against LGBTI persons, an inadequate response to the cases of discrimination against women and LGBTI persons, violation of the right of the inviolability of the private life, legal gender recognition of transgender people and other issues.
Forms of violence against women, such as physical and psychological violence in family, femicide, early marriage, rape and female genital mutilation, are especially common in the marginalized groups. Women belonging to the groups such as: persons with disabilities, IDPs, religious or ethnic minorities, commercial sex-workers and etc. are victims of the double discrimination. These cases and their specifics remain invisible and unknown for the state and broader society.
The critically large scale of gender-based violence demonstrates that LGBTI persons are nowadays one of the most discriminated group. “Lesbian, bisexual and transgender (“LBT”) women experience gender-based violence both - on account of their gender and because of the way their sexual orientation or gender identity challenges patriarchal concepts of gender and gender roles”. 1For the government, most of the forms of gender-based violence remain invisible. The State often does not recognize rights of LGBTI persons and often is in a role of oppressor itself, which is demonstrated through lack of the political will to implement required legislative changes and openly discriminative statements from the side of officials.
Qualitative research methods were applied throughout the study. The country’s legislative environment and its enforcement and monitoring tools were analyzed as part of the desk research. The analysis is further based on materials collected and documented by WISG (documented cases on violations of rights, interviews recorded with LGBT group members, materials collected during focus groups and workshops held as part of the project over legal issues with LGBT group members, shadow reports produced by the organization in 2012-14, and quantitative studies), studies and reports drafted by other human rights organizations (EMC, Identoba, GYLA), Public Defender’s annual reports for 2013 and 2014, and responses to the organization’s queries received from relevant state institutions.
Herwith, the present public policy document does not narrow down transgender persons’ health concept only to medical procedures required for transition. issues related to transgender persons’ health including a wider spectrum of services such as protection and resources that transgender individuals require for a healthy life in a safe society. This includes primary and other care services, as well as socio-economic determinants of health like the policy of legal recognition of gender, poverty, unemployment, homelessness, and receptiveness from the public.
A priority task of the present public policy document is to delimit legal recognition of gender and trans-specific medical services in a manner that would achieve maximum compliance with human rights standards in view of the country’s context; and further, to make initial steps for ensuring transgender people’s access to highest attainable standards of health.