5 UNFPA Youth Support Initiatives in Georgia

25% of Georgian population are young people aged 15 to 29. Despite the fact that their development is among the priority issues on the national agenda, young people in Georgia still face a number of challenges. 

The challenges faced by young people include a lack of Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) services and a cultural stigma that puts adolescents and youth at risk for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV, and unintended pregnancy.

Youth empowerment through non-formal education, informing them about issues concerning gender equality, sexual and reproductive health and rights, which is particularly important during the period of transition from adolescence to adulthood, are high on the list of priorities of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Georgia Country Office.

UNFPA's many years of experience working with adolescents and young people shows that it is through the direct participation of young people that changes to social norms are introduced through the long-term process of gender transformation.

The 5 initiatives implemented by the UNFPA Georgia Country Office for Youth Empowerment include: 

1.    Peer Education Trainings

The aim of the non-formal trainings is to provide young people with age-appropriate information on critical issues such as gender equality, HIV/AIDS, Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) and Reproductive Rights, domestic violence, etc., to enable them to disseminate the right messages among their peers.

I have always believed that knowledge becomes valuable when it can be shared. My interest in non-formal education has grown with the experience I have gained. I have realized that non-formal education activities enable us to learn by doing, learn in a variety of ways and, most importantly, it provides a space for sharing our knowledge and experience with each other,” says Ana Mosiashvili, trainer and a a peer educator.
 

The trainings are conducted within the framework of the UN Joint Programme “UN for Gender Equality”, funded by the Government of Sweden.

2.    "Youth for Social Change" Initiative

“I want to be a part of the changes that serve to improve and invigorate the reality around us. If you ask me, breaking stereotypes means creating an equal, balanced and progressive future. Equal rights and opportunities help remove the barriers imposed by stereotypes and harmful gender norms, and this is necessary for the formation of a harmonious, diverse and strong society,” says Teo Sadradze, a participant of “Trainer of Trainers” (ToT).

The initiative is part of the programme “EU 4 Gender Equality: Together Against Gender Stereotypes and Gender-Based Violence”, implemented jointly by UN Women and UNFPA, with the support of the European Union (EU).

3.    “Equality Corners” 

Opening “Equality Corners” in schools and libraries in different regions of Georgia allows adolescents and young people to learn more about the idea of equality through reading contemporary literary fiction.

I was really happy to hear about the opening of “Equality Corner.” I felt happy and fortunate to discover that almost all the books I planned to read were available. Since the “Equality Corner” was opened, I have read, “And the Mountains Echoed,” “The Boy at the Back of the Class,” “The Ballad of a Broken Nose,” “Malory Towers,” and “I, Cosmo.” This gift will give the children from Baghdati the opportunity to learn from the books they read that they should never give up, that if they really want to succeed, they will; to learn how to become self-confident and believe in their abilities,” says Nini Jabidze, student at Baghdati public school #2.

4.    “Get the Power in your Hands, Get Tested for HIV” Campaign

UNFPA, in collaboration with HIV/AIDS and behavioural experts and nfluencers, is conducting a series of events “Get the Power in your Hands, Get Tested for HIV”, engaging well-known writers Nestan (Nene) Kvinikadze and Toresa Mossy.

With the participation of more than 200 young people, meetings are held in different regions of Georgia to increase HIV testing uptake among young people using behavioural science (insights)-based learning methods to raise awareness of HIV, stigma and discrimination, to learn more about available services and HIV testing and change their behaviour accordingly.

 Today's meeting was very important. For example, I learned about AIDS and sexually transmitted infections –  things every person should be informed about [and] which will be very useful for them throughout their lives,” said Ucha Bochoridze, Iakob Gogebashvili Telavi State University student. 

A survey among young people, HIV-positive people, members of high-risk groups, and health care workers, conducted within the frames of the joint innovation initiative of UNFPA and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), explored their perceptions and views of HIV, barriers to testing, and contributing factors. The results showed that there are still many barriers to HIV testing in the country.

5.    National Youth Strategy 2025

UNFPA, which, together with the Youth Agency, participated in the development of the National Youth Strategy 2025, is currently working on a Youth Strategy Action Plan. Upon finalization of the Action Plan, the draft strategy will be submitted to the Government of Georgia for approval.

UNFPA leads the United Nations Coordination Group on youth issues (UNFPA, UNICEF, UNDP, UNIDO, ILO, UNHCR) and provides technical assistance in the process of development of the Youth Strategy and the Action Plan, within the frames of the EU Project Skills4Jobs.