Promoting IDPs' and Women's Voices in Post-Conflict Georgia

incidences of domestic violence as an outcome of the increased burdens on families. 296 Men who turn toalcohol and drugs as a coping mechanism may also be more likely to commit violence acts. IDP womenin turn must deal with violence that may compound the trauma they may have already experiencedduring the war. A rapid needs assessment of displaced communities from the 2008 war revealed that 3.6percent of men and 8.6 percent of women had witnessed violence within the family. 297IDP women have shown resilience by rallying around this important issue. They have addressedproblems related to domestic violence within their communities, through civil society, and to someextent, through politics. One IDP male cited “family violence” as an example of a problem that IDPsapproach community leaders for assistance in finding a resolution. 298 Women work through NGOs tospeak out in their local communities about domestic violence issues. 299These efforts have gainedmomentum with the passage of the Law of Georgia on Elimination of Domestic Violence, Protection ofand Support to Its Victims was passed in 2006. 300 Women’s and IDP organizations played a significantrole in drafting the law. In addition, a number of IDP NGOs within the Synergy Network currently workto address violence against women and children.However, even in the process of getting domestic violence recognized in law, women did not participateto the fullest extent. According to one IDP activist, the passing of the domestic violence law “waspolitically motivated [and tied to] ratification of Euro regulations, CEDAW, 1325 and other documents.So it was not initiated from the grassroots level.” 301The law itself also remains constrained by“stereotypes prevailing in the society [that] lead to problems in applying to law-enforcementmechanisms.” In addition, “legal measures for the protection of victims are not sufficient.” 302 There arefewer applications to court cases compared with police applications, which is indicative of the fear thatwomen in Georgia have to come forward and pursue legal recourse. 303 One expert explains the influenceof these social attitudes:“There are issues of domestic violence, gender-based violence in the local communities,and there is no proper response to this for two different reasons – the society aroundyou doesn’t perceive this as violence, and even if they do they say it’s none of theirbusiness.” 304Given the sensitivity of the issue and its continued pervasiveness, domestic violence seems to inhibitparticipation among IDP communities more than it inspires it. A representative from the office of theOmbudsman said, “they don’t want to talk [about domestic violence]. It’s too personal and it’s hard for296 Western Diplomat, Personal Interview, 1 Feb 2012, also cited in UNIFEM, 20.297 Ibid.298 Old Man New Wave Respondent, Focus Group, 12 March 2012.299 Tamar Tchelidze, Personal Interview.300 Nino Kalandarashvili, Personal Interview, 30 Jan 2012.301 Ibid.302 The United Nations Universal Periodic Review, 7.303 Ibid.304 Tamar Tchelidze, Personal Interview.60