early marriage

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Samira Bayramova painted Ukrainian flags on the office of the Conservative Movement, the political offshoot of far-right and pro-Russian group Alt-Info. Photo: Tiko Davadze/Radio Marneuli.

Alt Info

The woman challenging Georgia’s far-right

by Tata Shoshiashvili

•4 min read

Marneuli-based human rights activist Samira Bayramova is fighting against the far-right pro-Russia Georgian group Alt-Info and its political offshoot, the Conservative Movement. Though Samira Bayramova has long been an outspoken advocate for minority rights in Georgia, she was most recently thrust into the spotlight for taking her protest straight to the Conservative Movement’s Marneuli headquarters on 14 March. The ethnic Azerbaijani activist spraypainted the windows of the pro-Russian part

Maya Shaveshyan. Photo: Hermine Virabian/OC Media.

Armenia

In pictures | Education in the shadow of early marriage

by Hermine Virabian

•6 min read

Zhenik, 17, has lived in the Shaveshyan family for around two years, but her father-in-law has never heard her voice. But around these parts, that’s not unusual. Her grandfather-in-law did not hear the voice of his daughter-in-law for more than 40 years of living together. Indeed, it is one of the accepted social practices among the majority of Armenian Yazidis. The Shaveshyans are one of the 62 Yazidi families in the village of Rya Taza. The village is located in Armenia’s western Aragatsotn

Azerbaijan

Georgia’s early marriages: destinies blackened in white dresses

by Gulnur Kazimova

•11 min read

Despite tightening laws against early marriages in Georgia, among the country’s ethnic Azerbaijani population, they remain common. The results of such marriages are often tragic, with young girls leaving education, becoming victims of domestic violence, or in some cases, dying. ‘I lost the game of life the day I was born. When I was born, my parents promised me as a future wife to another family. I was raised hearing about it, and when I turned 15, I got married. Nobody asked my opinion’

bride kidnapping

Georgia’s feminists face an uphill battle for equality

by Dato Parulava

•7 min read

Despite a rise in the awareness of women’s rights in Georgia, feminist activists have found themselves up against a deeply-rooted culture that hinders further progress. Early marriages, a lack of recognition of the need for more female decision-makers, and impassivity towards women’s issues in the male-dominated parliament create a compounding, socially-driven force that stands on the way of gender equality. Natia was only 17 when she became a bride. A 25-year-old man kidnapped her twice

Armenia

Armenia’s Yazidi boys and girls who don’t finish school

by Gayane Mkrtchyan

•7 min read

In the Yazidi villages in the west of Armenia, many girls and boys don’t finish school. For girls, it’s ‘a great tragedy’ to be unwed by 18, while the boys must go to work. But there are some in the community challenging the stereotypes, hoping to build a better world for future generations. Ester Sadoyan and Asya Orujulyan are year nine students. Ester is thinking of becoming a doctor and Asya dreams of working in a beauty salon. But in Ferik, tradition trumps education. ‘Our tradi

abuse

[Voice from Kvemo Kartli] Women of Georgia — Venera Martkoplishvili, 63, Gardabani

by Volodymyr Soboliev

•7 min read

‘Women in Georgia very often lack a voice of their own. Their opinions, feelings, dreams, aspirations, and achievements can be conveyed by others, often the men around them. The Women in Georgia project gives a voice to these women, allowing them to tell their own stories — in their own words. The project collected 150 distinct stories from women throughout the country. OC Media brings you a selection of these stories, translated into English and Russian. Below, in her own words, Venera Martkopl

Children

Child marriage continues unabated in Georgia’s Azerbaijani communities

by Volodymyr Soboliev

•4 min read

Child marriages are commonplace in Georgia’s Azerbaijani communities. Despite tough new laws prohibiting the practice, young girls continue to have their right to education denied to them and their futures decided between their families and potential suitors. It was more than five years ago that her father unexpectedly came to school to pick up Aisha, 15, in the middle of a lesson. Her future husband’s family awaited her at home. Aisha didn’t know her future husband or his family. ‘I wa