Domestic violence is a particularly problematic issue in contemporary Georgia. According to the National Study on Domestic Violence conducted by UNFPA, every eleventh woman is a victim of domestic violence in Georgia. A law on the prevention of domestic violence, protection and assistance for victims of domestic violence was adopted in 2006 in Georgia. The adoption of this law, however, may be insufficient to overcome the problem. The success of state policy in combating the domestic violence depends on the way in which the state perceives the problem. Consequently, the aim of this research project is to examine: A). what is perceived as the reason for domestic violence; and B). who is perceived to be the victim of domestic violence. The research applied a policy frame analyses approach. Using the gender equality, woman centered and de-gendered frames developed in the MAGEEQ and QUING projects, we analyze policy documents and normative acts developed by the state through these frames. According to the research findings, the de-gendered frame is dominant in anti-domestic violence normative acts, which suggests that domestic violence is not viewed in terms of gender equality, and women are not considered to be the primary victim of domestic violence.

Gvantsa Jibladze graduated from Tbilisi State University with a BA in psychology, and in 2012 she earned an MA degree in social sciences and social science research methods from the same university. During this period she was involved in several research projects on issues of gender, domestic violence and the implementation of anti-domestic violence law in Georgia. Her MA research thesis was entitled “Is the Law Against Domestic Violence in Georgia Implementing Successfully, or not? A Contextual Interaction Theory Perspective.” She also participated in the 4th and 5th annual conferences on Gender Studies of the Center for Social Sciences. Her current research work continues in these directions. 

Nana Chabukiani studied sociology and social science research methods at Tbilisi State University, and she recently graduated from Central European University with an MA in sociology and social anthropology. Her interests include gender, the sociology of religion, and the sociology of death. She has been involved in various research projects, including “Interagency United Efforts to Combat Domestic Violence in Georgia: Local or Western Agenda?” She is currently participating in a research project that aims at demonstrating the primary needs and problems of religious minorities in Georgia.

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W-i-P is an ongoing academic discussion series based in Tbilisi, Georgia, that takes place at the International School of Economics (ISET) building (16 Zandukeli Street). It is co-organized by the Caucasus Research Resource Centers (CRRC), the American Councils for International Education: ACTR/ACCELS, and the American Research Institute of the South Caucasus (ARISC). All of the talks are free and open to the public.

The purpose of the W-i-P series is to provide support and productive criticism to those researching and developing academic projects pertaining the Caucasus region.

Would you like to present at one of the W-i-P sessions? Send an e-mail to natia@crrccenters.org.