Gender-Based Violence Against Sex Workers and Barriers to Accessing Justice: International Standards and Experience in Georgia."

On October 2, Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association (GYLA), with the support of Open Society Georgia Foundation, held a presentation of the research "Gender-Based Violence Against Sex Workers and Barriers to Accessing Justice: International Standards and Experience in Georgia."

The study reviews international standards of human rights in respect of sex workers and obligations of the state to protect marginalized sex workers from violence. The research evaluates the gaps within court judgments and the applicable legislation in respect of prostitution in Georgia, based on which sex workers’ rights are violated. The study also includes the analysis of focus groups with sex workers in Georgia, where women talk about the violence they have suffered and the lack of access to legal remedies.

The purpose of the study is to combat against the exploitation of marginalized women. Consequently, the research proposes recommendations to relevant authorities on how to amend the legislation, practice and policy in order to enable sex workers to benefit from the remedies envisaged by the Georgian legislation and prevent gender based violence against them. According to the research, the recommendations are fundamental for achieving substantial equality for women in Georgia.

See the full version in attached file: