“Unfortunately, women in Georgia are burdened with family traditions, and even more so women with disabilities,” - says 36-year-old Dea Eremashvili, mother of 13-year-old Demetre and a second-year student at Batumi Shota Rustaveli University.
Dea lives in Batumi; she protects the rights of persons with disabilities and helps them realize their potential. She decided to study law at university to protect the rights of persons with disabilities in court.
“Women with disabilities face challenges as, unfortunately, families do not pay proper attention to their education. Statistically, there are far fewer women than men with disabilities who have graduated from school; If we look at the percentage of married individuals, more men than women with disabilities are married,” says Dea.
According to her, despite the fact that education, at all levels, is free for people with disabilities in Georgia, there are far fewer women among people with disabilities who have graduated from school.
“One of the reasons for getting into [the university] was to set an example for 20-25-year-old girls.”
Dea has been suffering from cerebral palsy since childhood, which, in her case, is expressed in limited mobility. As she recalls, the news about her pregnancy came as a shock to people around her, including her doctors: “How dare I think of giving birth to a child and why, thy would say that it would be better to have an abortion because I would not be able to give birth to a healthy baby.” Her family members were thought of as irresponsible because they allowed her to have a child.
“I used to go out every day, I didn't have any pregnancy-related toxicosis, I had no problems or complications at all. I underwent all the routine ultrasound examinations to make sure the baby was developing properly and there was no problem with that,” says Dea.
According to the State of World Population Report published by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), despite much progress on sexual and reproductive well-being in Europe, millions of people, generally among the most disadvantaged population groups, remain excluded from the significant progress recorded overall across all world regions.
One in four women of reproductive age cannot exercise autonomy in making decisions about their bodies and health. Women and girls with disabilities are up to 10 times more likely to experience gender‐based violence, including sexual violence.
According to Florence Bauer, UNFPA’s Regional Director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, “To close these gaps, we must end the still-widespread discrimination of women and other disadvantaged groups and the stereotypes, biases and stigma that feed it.”
“When women are denied their essential healthcare, their families and communities suffer. When structural barriers or social stigma prevent women from reaching their potential, entire economies lose out,” she noted.
“It is very difficult for a wheelchair user to live in a rural area. My brother and cousins help me move around. Sometimes they drive me around, otherwise I would have to stay at home all the time in winter. With their help, I go everywhere I am invited to,” she says, adding that:
“The environment in the city is not adapted either. Cars are parked in the streets on the locations where there are adapted pedestrian crossings. There are no conditions adapted to the needs of wheelchair users. We have to fight a lot, and those who are not motivated remain locked inside their homes.”
“I learned crafts as a child. Almost everyone here knows how to embroider and knit.”
Mzevinar was born and raised in the village. She has not been a person with a disability since childhood. She graduated from school and she used to dance, but when she wanted to get in university, she gradually lost her ability to move due to her diagnosis of neuropathy, muscle function decline:
“I couldn't continue my studies because of that, it was the end of my education... It's such a diagnosis, it can't be cured. I couldn’t afford to go abroad and be treated for my health condition. I would have gone if I had been able to.”
According to her, in order for wheelchair users to live independent lives, they should have someone to assist them in doing everything they want and not be dependent on others.
“Never give up on your dreams or goals. If you have the motivation, you can overcome any obstacles, no matter how big or small.”
Dea knows Mzevinar as an ambitious woman who, “despite many obstacles, always smiles and is a positive person, who openly talks about herself.”
“She has been a role model for the residents of the village of Ghorjomi, giving them an incentive to change things. She is a very good, exemplary woman for many. Living there and being able to achieve so much is very difficult,” says Dea.
Through its programmes, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) actively works to ensure that the rights of persons with disabilities are fully protected in Georgia and they have unrestricted access to healthcare, education, and the resources and services they need to live a safe and healthy life.
According to Mariam Bandzeladze, Head of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Georgia Country Office:
“It is important to promote the participation of persons with disabilities in dealing with all the issues concerning them. Given the mandate of UNFPA, the reproductive health and rights of women with disabilities are of particular importance for us. We continue working with all stakeholders and key actors to ensure that everyone has access to the services they need and that no one has to give up on their desires, dreams and potential. UNFPA’s State of World Population report reaffirms that we must spare no effort to address the inequalities that particularly affect women with disabilities and other vulnerable groups.”
Over the last few years, while studying the needs of women with disabilities, Dea Eremashvili has witnessed tangible changes in Adjara region. “When we started, it wasn't like that, we straggled to identify the persons... I think if I managed to change at least one person's life for the better, then my effort was worth it.”
However, in order for their needs to be met, Dea believes that more persons with disabilities should come out, so that society can see them, and persons with disabilities themselves should start talking for their voices to be heard:
“Women should be convinced that we are not inferior and that we have the same role on earth as men do. I wish that before we criticize or neglect someone, we could think of them or put ourselves in their shoes and only then make decisions. We shouldn’t ignore people's needs. We should try to understand what needs they have.”
