Trafficking in Women: Georgian Case

In the charge of the project focus groups were used to obtain information on the awareness of the community regarding the women's trafficking in Georgia, attitude towards the named issue, importance of this issue, preventive measures and the provision of assistance to victims. Another objective was to create the relevant database.

Focus groups were conducted in the towns and regions with the highest migration level and consequently, the largest number of risk groups of trafficking victims.

Focus groups were conducted in Tbilisi, Kutaisi, Gori, Batumi, Sarpi, Tskhaltubo, Dusheti, Tianeti and Akhaltsikhe districts. The total number of groups was 12.

Analysis of the material obtained led us to the following conclusions:

1. Public awareness level is not high, i.e. information on the trafficking in women is rather general and vague;
2. In the Georgian community trafficking in women is basically linked with sex-business;
3. Risk groups are thought to be composed of women with a difficult economic situation;
4. Most people in Georgia think that trafficking problem is going to become even more acute;
5. Linking trafficking with sex-business on the one hand and the scarcity of information on trafficking on the other hand form a heterogeneous attitude towards trafficking victims;
6. The public thinks that the responsibility for seeking and saving trafficking victims lies on the one hand with the State and on the other hand with the people close to the victims;
7. Stemming from the above, we think that a large-scale educational campaign and the lobbying of trafficking prohibiting legislation are top preventative measures.

In addition to focus groups and a pilot sociological survey, the project comprised meetings with local governance and non-governance bodies. The objective of the meetings was to exchange information on trafficking in women and set plans for future cooperation.

The original questionnaire was created. It consists of 10 questions: migration, motivation, quantity of information in public about trafficking in women, risqué groups, attitudes, traffickers, who is responsible, real cases, awareness and responsibility of civic society.

It was a pilot sociological survey. 50 women were interweaved. Women respondents were chosen according to the analyses of the results of focus groups dune. Social survey took place in the seven cities and regions - Tbilisi, Gori, Kutaisi, Dusheti and Akhalcikhe regions and Autonomous Republic of Adjara. The quantity of respondents was defined according to the percentage of population of Georgia. 8% of respondents are under 18 years old, 30% - 18-25, 36% - 26-32 years old, 6% - 33-39 and 20% more then 40. 48% of respondents were single, 30% - married, 14% - divorced and 8% - widows.

The results of interview show the following tendencies. 70% of them want to work or study abroad, 22% don't want. 8% couldn't answer. 64% prefer to work abroad legally, 8% don't care about it. 28% agree on any conditions to have a work. 72% says that their close people are working abroad and 20% used to work abroad themselves. Their majority had to change their job profile and were not satisfied with their working conditions at all. The main reason and motivation for their working abroad was high wages and the need to help their family. Their majority prefers to work according to their profession, or as baby-sitters or take care of old ones. 52% realizes the danger of working abroad. 90% have information about trafficking in women from TV, mass media, or acquaintances. 60% are sure that risk groups are connected with illegality. Their attitude is that victims of trafficking would be helped. 28% have a real invitation to work abroad from their acquaintances. The great majority of the respondents consider that the problem of trafficking in women will be resolved by the Highest Governmental bodies.

In result of the interview there are 14 concert cases.

"Women For Future"
"Caucasus Women's Research and Consulting Network"