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მიმდინარეობს გვერდის განახლება
The Public Health Foundation of Georgia was founded by a group of doctors in 1999 with the goal of
helping individuals whose health and well-being were at risk. Since its inception, the foundation has
prioritized establishing standards for the proper treatment of children in Georgia, with a particular focus
on child protection from violence.
The Public Health Foundation of Georgia, since establishment, has been advocating for the development
of child protection and welfare in Georgia. The foundation’s initial and significant efforts were aimed at
breaking the taboo surrounding child abuse in Georgia. Although challenging, these efforts were
successful, sparking discussions about child abuse within professional circles.
In 2002, the Public Health Foundation of Georgia established the first counseling and rehabilitation
service for children, victims of abuse in Georgia, known as the “Child Support Center”; This center
continues to provide vital services to children who are at risk or victims of child abuse.
In 2008, the International Society for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (ISPCAN) recognized the
multidisciplinary team of the Public Health Foundation of Georgia with an award for their outstanding
contributions to the field of child welfare.
Children and young people play a crucial role in the planning and implementing the Foundation’s
programs. They actively participate in peer education, awareness-raising campaigns, and the development of educational programs on child abuse issues. In 2010, children made significant
contributions to the development of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child’s General Comment on the protection of children from violence.
Children possess the capacity to safeguard their own rights if adults do not impede this ability. In 2008,
the Public Health Foundation of Georgia established a Child Helpline with the European international
number 116 111, providing children with a platform to discuss their problems and seek assistance when
needed.
The Foundation initiated and subsequently conducted the United Nations Children’s Fund studies – “National Study on Violence against Children in Georgia”; and “National Study on School Violence in
Georgian”; in 2007-2008. The research findings played a pivotal role in establishing the child protection
system in Georgia and incorporating child protection issues into state action plans for child protection
and welfare. This process culminated successfully in 2010, with the official approval of child protection
(referral) procedures. The knowledge and expertise of the Public Health Foundation of Georgia in
multidisciplinary and multisectoral cooperation for managing child abuse cases are reflected in these
child protection referral procedures.
The Public Health Foundation of Georgia expends significant efforts to enhance the knowledge and skills
of professionals who interact with children as part of their professional duties. Throughout its existence,
the Foundation has provided training to hundreds of professionals, including social workers,
psychologists, lawyers, police officers, doctors, nurses, teachers, educators, and others, focusing on child
abuse prevention, recognition of violence, and provision of appropriate response measures.
The foundation has also developed and published guidelines for the identification and management of
child abuse tailored to nurses, social workers, doctors, and law enforcement professionals. Additionally,
it has played a pivotal role in integrating child abuse education into curricula at Georgian universities,
benefitting future professionals such as doctors, psychologists, educators, social workers, and law
enforcement personnel.
The Public Health Foundation of Georgia has made significant strides in improving the situation for child
victims and witnesses of violence within the litigation process. This progress includes developing an
interview-questioning methodology for them, publishing it, and providing training to law enforcement
representatives on its implementation. The guideline for trainers and professionals titled “Tell Me What
Happened – Interviewing Child Victims and Witnesses” was published in 2014. It was based on the
structured Investigative Interview Protocol for child victims and witnesses developed by the US National
Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD Protocol). The development and adaptation
of the Georgian version was carried out in close collaboration with the original version’s group of
authors.
In its advocacy efforts, the Public Health Foundation of Georgia uses international audience and tools,
collaborates with local and international partners to prepare and present alternative reports. The
foundation is an active member of numerous international and local networks and coalitions.
This website of the Public Health Foundation of Georgia is dedicated to protecting children from
violence, offering a brief overview of the foundation’s experience in this field. With a successful track
record in public health, charity, and humanitarian activities, the foundation’s commitment to protecting
children from violence has been fundamental from its inception and continues to this day.
The mission of the Public Health Foundation of Georgia is to advocate for the protection of the human right to health. The Foundation firmly believes that every individual has the inherent right to access the highest attainable standard of health, thereby enabling opportunities for personal development, self-realization, and a life of dignity.
Protecting children from abuse and neglect is recognized as a crucial component of public health. Therefore, safeguarding children from child abuse stands as a primary focus of the Public Health Foundation of Georgia. The foundation is committed to upholding the rights of children to life, health, well-being, development, and equality. It strives to ensure that children thrive in safe and nurturing family environments, preserving their dignity and autonomy. Grounded in a strengths-based approach, the foundation adheres rigorously to the principle of “do no harm.” In the planning and implementation of programs, children and young people are actively encouraged to participate, and their perspectives are duly considered.
The foundation holds the viewpoint that children deserve to live in a world where their dignity is respected, their voices are heard, and where every child has an equal chance to thrive. To realize this vision of a safe and nurturing environment for all children, it is essential to:
Meet the members of our team
Office Assistant
Co-founder of the Public Health Foundation of Georgia and a pediatrician by profession. Graduated from the Faculty of Pediatrics at Tbilisi State Medical Institute and completed a clinical residency at the Scientific Research Institute of Pediatrics. Under her leadership, over 40 projects have been developed and implemented, significantly contributing to the advancement of the child protection system in Georgia. She also participates in the creation of recommendations, studies, manuals, and other publications prepared by the Foundation.
Holds a Master’s degree in International Relations from Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University and a Master’s degree in Human Rights Theory and Practice from the University of Essex. Has 20 years of experience in child protection and welfare. Among other responsibilities, actively participates in researches conducted by the Foundation, in monitoring child rights, analyzing results and preparing alternative reports.
Pediatrician by profession; graduated from Tbilisi State Medical Institute’s Faculty of Pediatrics and completed a clinical residency at the Scientific Research Institute of Pediatrics. With over 20 years of experience in child protection and welfare, she consults professionals and parents and conducts trainings on various issues related to child development, prevention of abuse, and assistance for child victims of maltreatment. She also contributes to the creation of recommendations, studies, manuals, and other publications prepared by the Foundation.
A doctor by profession, graduated from Tbilisi State Medical University and a certified social worker with years of experience in child protection and welfare. He conducts trainings for child protection specialists and parents on issues related to child abuse prevention and assistance for child victims of violence. He also contributes to the creation of recommendations, studies, manuals, and other publications prepared by the Foundation.
Lawyer, holds Master’s degree in law. Counsels abused children and their family members, conducts trainings for child protection specialists and parents on legal issues related to child abuse prevention and assistance to victims of abuse. She has many years of experience working in the field of child protection and social protection, including the protection of the rights of persons with disabilities and law-making. She is a co-author of recommendations, studies, publications and guides prepared by the Foundation.
A child protection focal point in Samtskhe-Javakheti region. She counsels children at risk of abuse and neglect, as well as parents and child protection professionals. With many years of experience in child and social protection, she also focuses on the rights of children with disabilities. She is involved in the preparation of training modules and educational materials for the Foundation and actively participates in the delivery of training sessions.
A specialist in foreign economic relations, she has completed various short and long-term training courses on tax code innovations, financial accounting basics, and financial management. Her training includes the Ministry of Finance Academy’s tax code study courses and the Association of Professional Accountants (ACCA) training program levels in international accounting standards, financial accounting, and management. She has also studied the accounting and taxation features of non-entrepreneurial legal entities. Since 2009, she has been working as a finance manager at the Public Health Foundation of Georgia.