The SCGEI (South Caucasus Gender Equality Index) provides policy-makers, independent researchers and the general public with a unique evidence-based tool to inform policy actions, an objective way of measuring gender inequality, and an inclusive platform to initiate dialogue and further analysis of the underlying issues and potential solutions.

In 2000, the International Labour Organization (ILO) adopted Convention No. 183, better known as the Maternity Protection Convention. The purpose of the Convention was to protect the health and safety of mother and child and to promote the equality of all women in the labour force. Essentially, this short document sets several guidelines, or minimum standards, that ought to be implemented globally for pregnant women and working mothers to be adequately protected in the labour market.

More gender equity means more development. Improving gender equity is not only a goal with an intrinsic value. A substantial body of research highlights the linkages between gender equity and the achievement of other development goals, such as health, education, social and economic rights fulfillment, and even growth.

Our latest online presentation highlighted women’s rights in Georgia and crucially considered their role in employment, childcare, and within society. ISET began research on our latest regulatory impact assessment (RIA) in 2019 and concluded at the end of last year, the subject brought to light many significant points relating to female economic empowerment and parental leave.

On November 15-16, 2019, FREE Network and ISET Policy Institute organized and conducted an international gender economics conference in Tbilisi, Georgia1. The conference brought together researchers, policy-makers, and the broader development community to discuss obstacles to gender equality and women’s economic empowerment, and policies to remove the existing constraints, focusing on Eastern Europe and Emerging Economies.