“Person” – the signature board game of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Georgia Country Office, has toured several regions of Georgia in 2024, engaging with young people across the country.

Throughout this regional tour, the „Person“ facilitated interactions with youth who are passionate about equality, enjoy playing board games, and appreciate engaging in discussions and quizzes. These young people are also eager to challenge the stereotypes that continue to affect individuals – women and men - in Georgia based on their profession, ethnic background, or gender identity.

Mariam Barbakadze, 17, considers „Person“ to be a highly engaging board game that she will continue to enjoy playing with her friends.

"[During the game,] I learned interesting things that many other board games do not offer. I believe this is what makes „Person“ unique, and I recommend everyone to play it“ – she said.

First released in 2022, as a result of UNFPA’s collaboration with the publishing house Palitra L and BG Era Games and with the support of the European Union, the game has garnered the attention of people of all ages, securing a place in the hearts and on the shelves of board game enthusiasts across the country.

Giorgi Velijanashvili, 14, who also joined „Person“ on its regional tour said: "I believe that in the 21st century, the modern generation should reject gender stereotypes. We must move forward and break them." According to him, board games like „Person“ serve as an effective tool for changing societal attitudes in the context of prevailing gender stereotypes.

"Why should it be that if I want something, I shouldn't express it and limit myself because of others' opinions or negative comments? This is wrong. We should always strive to challenge stereotypes. This game helps us do that. I will certainly often play Persona with my friends” - he adds.

UNFPA, through its innovative approaches, continually works to contribute to the transformation of social norms and the reshaping of gender stereotypes, which are essential for ensuring social equality.

“As part of UNFPA's mission, we strive to enhance gender equality and build a society where both girls and boys are equally valued and respected; where everyone has the opportunity to fully realize their potential and to make autonomous decisions regarding their future, health, and well-being. This is why at UNFPA, we constantly seek new methods and approaches to challenge existing stereotypes and dismantle the barriers they create, which prevent young people from fully achieving their potential" - said Marika Kurdadze, Program Manager at UNFPA.

"In pursuit of this goal, we collaborated with our dedicated partners to create an interactive and informative board game, tailored to the needs and interests of various age groups and relevant to our cultural context. This game serves as a platform for initiating critical discussions about gender stereotypes. Thus, „Person“ was created to directly address these issues. While the game has already gained significant attention, in collaboration with Palitra L, we decided to extend our reach to the regions and to try to engage young people in conversations about the importance of recognizing stereotypes using the game format. It is truly inspiring to observe how discussions unfold among young people around the board game and gradually extend beyond its boundaries. During the tour, nearly 70 young people had the opportunity to participate in the game and reflect on the experiences of those living within the confines of stereotypes."

About the „Person“

Have you ever tried to imagine yourself in someone else's shoes? Or considered the challenges and obstacles faced by individuals you encounter regularly but know little about? Or by people you've never met, yet share many similarities with?

„Person“ offers you the opportunity to see beyond the stereotypes that shape our perceptions of others, while enabling you to understand and analyze the influence of gender stereotypes in our daily lives.

„Person“ is a board game about the forces that both divide and unite us.

The regional tours of „Person“ were conducted under the frameworks of the programmes "Gender Equality in Georgia" and "EU4Gender Equality: Together against gender stereotypes and gender-based violence" (Phase II). These initiatives are jointly implemented by UN Women and UNFPA, with the support of the European Union (EU).