Opposition MP Dekanoidze warns against abolition of gender quotas in Georgian politics

Opposition MP Khatia Dekanoidze on Monday raised concerns about the potential abolition of gender quotas in Georgian politics, highlighting the importance of these quotas in promoting gender equality and women’s representation in decision-making processes.

“In a country where femicide is rampant and women do not participate in politics, they often do not have the right to education or work – even discussing the abolition of gender quotas is harmful”, Dekanoidze said in her social media post. 

Dekanoidze’s remarks come in response to discussions surrounding the annulment of gender quotas, a move that she argued would hinder progress towards gender parity in political representation. She asserted that maintaining gender quotas was essential for addressing existing inequalities and ensuring that women have a meaningful voice in shaping the country’s future.

The Georgian Parliament last year passed amendments to the Election Code, which extended the period of validity of gender quotas in proportional party lists until 2032. 

These amendments also stipulated that every fourth candidate on proportional party lists for upcoming elections in October must be a woman, a provision aimed at promoting greater gender diversity in political leadership.

Despite these legislative efforts, Dekanoidze warned against complacency and emphasized the need to safeguard gender quotas as a means of advancing women’s rights and empowerment. 

She contended that abolishing gender quotas would undermine progress made in promoting women’s participation in politics and perpetuate existing gender disparities.