Women in Georgia – a video portrait
The Naambobi video project tells the stories of women in Georgia – each one multi-layered and complex, human and connecting.
A teacher who competes in off-road racing.
A mother of twins with autism.
A woman building a new life in exile.
A survivor of two wars who founded her own war museum.
A mourner who finds solace in her garden.
An athlete who was never able to turn her passion into a career, but still runs marathons to this day.
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This is another way activism can look
In just a few minutes of moving images, an entire life seems to unfold. A microphone on her collar, the camera pointed at her: this is her moment. Their voices should be heard in a society where women are still fighting for equality, empowerment and freedom from violence.
As a grantee in filia’s Eastern Europe and Central Asia programme, initiator Gvantsa Kordzakhia gave us some insights into the project work, but also into the critical situation in Georgia.
What inspired you to do this project?
„The primary source of inspiration was the women living around us. We continuously hear similar stories in everyday life, and this created a strong desire to bring the voices of ordinary women—especially those living in regional areas—to a wider audience. Our aim was to document and share their meaningful and often overlooked stories.“
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By loading the video, you agree to YouTube's privacy policy.
Learn more
How did you choose the people you portrayed?
„The stories were not selected based on a single criterion. Our goal was not only to amplify the voices of women who have experienced violence, but to highlight successful and resilient women living within their communities.“
How have you experienced the last few years in Georgia?
What has changed regarding your activism and art in the current political climate?
„Following the adoption of the so-called “Russian Law” by the Georgian government, we were effectively forced to shut down the Naambobi platform. Our team is based entirely on activism and volunteer work. As a result of the law, we are no longer able to receive even the minimal funding that is vital for the organization’s survival—particularly for fieldwork and basic operational needs.
Georgia is currently facing a severe and unstable economic situation. Under these conditions, Naambobi can no longer function solely through the personal resources of its volunteers.“
More about Georgia
Georgia is a Eurasian country in the South Caucasus, bordering Russia, Turkey, Armenia and Azerbaijan. More than a quarter of its 3.7 million inhabitants live in the capital, Tbilisi.
The law on transparency of foreign influence, also known as the ‘agent law’ based on the Russian model, stipulates that media outlets and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) that receive at least 20 per cent of their funding from abroad must register with the authorities. It was passed in May 2024 despite fierce protests. The law allows the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Finance to request information from NGOs and individuals working with them without an additional court order. This delegitimises their work and jeopardises their safety.
Sources: Bpb, Wikipedia
„This work is something into which I have invested my heart, energy, and commitment, and it is deeply painful that the so-called “government” is opposing us for shedding light on women’s issues.“
– Founder Gvantsa Kordzakhia
