An investigation by the Institute for War and Peace Reporting recently discovered that hundreds of girls from the ethnic Avar community in eastern Georgia, in the villages of Tivi, Saruso, and Chantliskure, are being forced to undergo female genital mutilation (FGM). The shocking news was covered by national media and created a joint movement towards crimizalizing this practice although many people in the local communities believe it is connected to religion and part of local tradition.

On 24 January, the Georgian government approved the ratification of the Istanbul Convention on combatting domestic violence and violence against women, which includes criminalising FGM.
A similar act against a pregnant, disabled or underage woman will be considered an aggravating circumstance. Moreover, punishment will be tightened for stalking, forced sterilization and domestic violence.

Source: Georgia Today, IWPR