Access to reproductive health services for women and girls remains a significant challenge in rural Georgia - particularly in mountainous regions like Adjara.
“First of all, local healthcare facilities are not technically equipped, there is a shortage of medical personnel due to migration to larger cities, and local residents only have access to basic services, which poses a particular threat to women’s health” - says Nestan Ananidze, founder of the organization "Solidarity Community."
"Solidarity Community" is a local organization that operates across mountainous Adjara, working with rural population - various social groups, such as young people, women, and Georgian Muslims - in the municipalities of Khulo, Keda, and Shuakhevi.
As Nestan explains, women and girls in Adjara, due to their socio-economic conditions, have an urgent need for reproductive health services. Many women from these communities spend much of the year in the pastures and perform physically demanding work.
“Because of their economic situation, they often cannot afford to travel to Batumi for medical examinations. The clinics near their homes are poorly equipped, and there is a shortage of medical personnel there. That’s why we try to offer free primary gynecological check-ups with the resources we have” - Nestan says.
Since 2022, "Solidarity Community" has been providing on-site gynecological services to women, who are then referred to specialists as needed.
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) works to improve the well-being of women and young people in Georgia and globally by supporting the local organizations to ensure that every woman receives the basic healthcare services they need, including in the remote areas such as the villages of Tsoniarisi, Zvaria, and Okruashvilebi in Keda and Khulo municipalities.
“The protection of women’s reproductive health and rights, and informing women and girls about available opportunities and challenges, is a priority for UNFPA. Providing accurate information is essential for achieving gender equality, empowering women, and improving quality of life. In this regard, women living in rural areas face particular challenges, which is why we are pleased that, together with our local partner, we were able to reach more women and ensure they are not left behind in terms of development and rights” - says UNFPA Gender Analyst Nana Avaliani.
Adjara is one of the regions where UNFPA, under the UN Joint Programme "For Gender Equality", with the support of Sweden, tries to empower local community organizations and help them drive change essential for health, well-being, and harmonious living. As local nurse Dali Abuladze notes, women from Tsoniarisi have to travel to the clinic in Keda for medical services because there is no gynecologist in the village. “Medical equipment should be available everywhere” - she says.
Through the joint initiative of UNFPA and "Solidarity Community," gynecologist Eka Kvirkvelia provided on-site consultations to women living in highland Adjara using her mobile ultrasound machine. In addition, she spoke to them about reproductive health challenges and needs.
Gender expert Eka Skhiladze also visited women and young people in the villages of Khulo and Keda to discuss the dangers of harmful practices such as child marriage and gender-biased sex selection, i.e., son preference, which deprive girls of their childhood and can even endanger their lives.
“Access to reproductive health services remains an insurmountable challenge for many women living in Georgia. Remoteness from healthcare facilities, transportation costs, lack of time due to caregiving responsibilities, and many other social and economic factors aggravate the existing challenge. Mobile services are the best solution, enabling women to access care with minimal effort and helping to address, to a certain extent, the inequality they face” - says Eka Skhiladze.
UNFPA, in collaboration with its partners, promotes reproductive health and rights, including the prevention of sexually transmitted infections and cervical cancer, access to family planning, and equal parenting - essential components of a desirable, healthy, and balanced life.
Educational and consultation visits to the regions carried out in collaboration with local community organizations that best understand the challenges women and girls face under prevailing patriarchal norms are a vital part of this effort.
