In February, three new “Equality Corners” - in Gori Art House, Zugdidi social space “Mego Bar” and in Batumi social bar “Free Space” were established, each one receiving one hundred books on equality, women's and girls' empowerment, tolerance, and human rights from “Intelekti” Publishing. 

“Equality Corner” is a signature initiative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), who has been establishing book corners in different regions of Georgia since 2018 in partnership with various organizations to ensure that adolescents and youth have access to modern literature at schools, local libraries and other social spaces.

The “Equality Corners” in Gori, Zugdidi and Batumi were launched within the UN Joint Programme “For Gender Equality”, supported by Sweden. At these new book corners, the UNFPA and “Inteletki” Publishing organized discussions for youth with Georgian famous writers within a joint “Let the Freedom Read” campaign.

“For the UNFPA, it is very important to support the social spaces in Georgian regions, where the young people can have a dialogue and discussion about the social issues that matter for them. The “Equality Corners” are not merely libraries but dynamic spaces where young people can convene to read, discuss social issues, exchange ideas, and engage in meaningful dialogues” – says UNFPA gender analyst Nana Avaliani.

“I believe that education and books are the main foundation on which one can build a personality… Promotion of books, launching libraries is the first step, which can divert youth and not only youth – to a different angle” – says writer Iva Pezuashvili, who met with the young readers in Gori.

Writer Nestan Nene Kvinikadze, who met with the youth in Zugdidi and Batumi, also emphasizes the symbolic importance and the power of  “a shelf of books”. 

“I am happy that this is the third “Equality Corner” I am visiting and communicating with the audience. However informed we may be about life in regions of Georgia, we all know how valuable a direct dialogue can be, and how it makes us think differently about the challenges around us” – Kvinikadze says.

Nino Khalvashi was among the youth, who attended the opening of the “Equality Corner” in Batumi and met with Nestan Nene Kvinikadze. She says such meetings are rare in her town, and enable the youth to discuss various challenges, especially gender equality.

“Opening of “Equality Corners” is an excellent initiative, because the “Free Space” where it has found its place is a favorite spot of gathering for the youth and it is so nice that amid the ongoing situation in the country, the books about the importance of freedom will be available here, reminding us of the inspiring, empowering stories, and women” – Nino says.

Deputy Head of Development Cooperation at the Embassy of Sweden, Eva Atterlöv Frisell, who also attended the opening of the “Equality Corner” in Batumi, thinks that these spaces have a potential to be “a breathing place, where young women and men, girls and boys can meet and discuss for example gender norms in the society”.

“I am looking forward to coming back here one day and hopefully find young women and men, girls and boys discussing gender equality” – she says.

Editor-in-Chief of “Intelekti” Publishing Zviad Kvaratskhelia says that launching of “Equality Corners” together with the UNFPA is “a necessary initiative, benefitting everyone involved”: “In various social spaces or youth favorite spots, there will be free books to read – books, which they know and are interested in, and also the books, which they have not yet discovered”.

The books, donated to the “Equality Corners” promote the values of equality, tolerance, and freedom. Through the distribution of these books, adolescents are provided the opportunity to enhance their awareness of universal human values.

The UNFPA has established a total of 27 “Equality Corners” in various regions of Georgia since 2018.