Eastern Partnership authors use storytelling for gender equality awareness

With the initiative MenCare Georgia, an international residency program for writers took place in Telavi on January 20-25, 2023. The initiative is implemented in the framework of the “EU 4 Gender Equality: Together against gender stereotypes and gender-based violence” programme, funded by the European Union, implemented jointly by UN Women and UNFPA.

Five authors from Eastern Partnership countries united to participate in the residency program. Writers from Georgia, Ukraine, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Moldova worked together for 5 days to create children’s fairy tales.

Within the framework of the project, a collection of fairy tales about gender equality for children and parents will be created, which will be published in Georgian, English and the author’s native languages. The presentation of the book will take place in Georgia and at an international book fair.

The goal of the project is to encourage wider public to think again about challenges, stereotypes and clichés that prevent the creation of an equal environment in Eastern Partnership countries. Texts that take into account the socio-economic context of the region, will be written on issues such as: gender stereotypes, human rights, discrimination, positive parenting, male involvement and more.

During the last 30 years, many political, economic and social changes took place in the region. Despite the progress achieved in various aspects, studies show that gender equality remains a major challenge.

That is why the project aims to promote those social and behavioral changes that are barriers to achieving real gender equality.

The project is implemented in the framework of the “EU 4 Gender Equality: Together against gender stereotypes and gender-based violence” programme, funded by the European Union, implemented jointly by UN Women and UNFPA.

The programme seeks to strengthen equal rights and opportunities for women and men by shifting social perceptions around gender roles, tackling gender stereotypes and increasing men’s participation in childcare and other domestic responsibilities.