On March 8, the Parliament of Georgia hosted an exhibition “Women in Politics – Experience of the Democratic Republic of Georgia (1918-1921)” prepared by the Library of Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University (TSU) and the Georgian legislature. The exhibition was dedicated to the International Women’s Day and the 100th anniversary of the Democratic Republic of Georgia.
First Vice Speaker and Chair of the Gender Equality Council, Tamar Chugoshvili and Rector of TSU, Giorgi Sharvashidze opened the event.
“It should be emphasized today that political culture, culture of discussion of that period was truly exemplary and many progressive European politicians of that period had noted that they should have learnt a lot in Georgia. It is one of the best sides of the three-year, brief history of our statehood when the standard was established, which was truly European and women’s participation in this process was unique, especially in Europe of that period,” Rector Giorgi Sharvashidze said.
First Vice Speaker Tamar Chugoshvili noted that 100 years ago very progressive processes were taking place in Georgia with women playing a very important role. “A century ago, our country’s legal arrangement was fairly considered one of most progressive in Europe. A century ago, our ancestors spoke about fundamental, European and simultaneously Georgian values, such as equality and democratic values. A century ago, people in Georgia spoke about the independent judiciary, establishment of sustainable political institutions, equality in terms of human rights, freedom of religion, freedom of expression and strengthened labor rights. All these processes were truly progressive and women played a very important role in it,” Chugoshvili said.
Portraits of female politicians of that period, legislative initiatives, as well as letters reflecting their activities were exhibited. Moreover, ballot papers used during the First Democratic Republic, party lists and photos depicting international cooperation were also prepared for the exhibition.
The materials are stored at the National Archives of Georgia, the National Parliamentary Library of Georgia, TSU Library and Soviet Past Research Laboratory (SOVLAB).
The Democratic Republic of Georgia with its progressive political system was fairly considered one of Europe’s most democratic republics. Female politicians got actively involved in the political processes ongoing in the Democratic Republic of Georgia just upon declaration of its independence. They initiated a number of legislative proposals on education, health and labor issues. Women held various positions in the legislature; among them were deputy chairpersons of commissions, secretaries and members of the Presidium of the Constituent Assembly.
