WOMEN EMPOWERMENT

On September 26, on Baratashvili Street in Tbilisi, a joint exhibition by the Association of Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) and SOCAR Georgia Petroleum was inaugurated.

Visitors attending the event had the opportunity, over two days, to purchase items crafted by women inmates from various penitentiary institutions. The proceeds from the exhibition sales were directly transferred to the personal accounts of the incarcerated women, providing them with additional income.

These women create leather bags, wallets, bracelets, and various accessories by hand while in penitentiary facilities. This process not only enables them to spend their time in the institution productively but also supports their rehabilitation and resocialization. Even after their release, they have the opportunity to continue collaborating with the store, an important factor in preventing reoffending.

As part of the official collaboration, SOCAR provided exhibition inventory to the Association of Women Entrepreneurs.

SOCAR Petroleum Georgia and the Association of Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) have signed an agreement of cooperation. The pact was signed by Nodar Kanchaveli, Director of SOCAR Petroleum Georgia, and Mariam Chikopaidze, President of the Association of Women Entrepreneurs (AWE).

The goal of the memorandum is to assist the strengthening and support of women entrepreneurs through the parties' collaborative efforts.

Women's empowerment is a key component of SOCAR's long-term CSR strategy, which has resulted in the implementation of several significant projects.

SOCAR Petroleum Georgia and Association of Women Entrepreneurs - AWE formed a partnership based on shared values and vision. This partnership promotes economic empowerment for women, leading to increased participation in business.

In 2023, SOCAR planned and implemented a project featuring six female entrepreneurs who run social businesses in Georgia. These businesses include "Babale", "GNOMO", "WoodTiness", "Ceramic Studio 1300", "CHIKATAI," and "RKO".

The project aims not only to support female entrepreneurs but also to raise awareness and promote these businesses to a broader audience.

In the past, SOCAR has conducted numerous awareness campaigns focused on advancing women's rights and supporting women.

‍SOCAR was the supporter of the first international rally Rally Offroad Georgia. Ever since, we sponsor the event on an annual basis. It is noteworthy, that the rally also carries a social mission.

The rally aims to break down stereotypes existing in society, showing that driving can also be a passion for women and that they are equally capable of handling the challenges of off-road driving.

The first women's raid in Georgia organized a charity campaign, during which participants distributed clothing, toys, and other humanitarian aid in selected municipalities.

Women's rights protection organization - Safari annually celebrates a Girl's Day. The event unites young people with common values ​​from different regions and aimes to share experiences, opportunities and support adolescent girls. The event includes panel discussions, question-and-answer mode with the audience, board of wishes and goals, games, and other activities. SOCAR supports the Girl's Day event and actively promotes women's rights in Georgia.

In the direction of women's empowerment, SOCAR joined the United Nations Women's Empowerment Principles in 2018, which means protecting women's rights as much as possible in the workplace, encouraging women in high-level management positions, and hiring women for so-called ,,non-common work positions". The project's purpose is to eliminate and prevent sexual discrimination and harassment.

The aforementioned cooperation is ongoing to this day.

SOCAR, an advocate of the empowerment of women, launched the awareness-raising campaign #WomenattheWheel.

As part of the campaign, #womenatthewheel car stickers were distributed with the goal of challenging current stereotypes. As part of the same campaign, SOCAR's Facebook page included weekly news articles with fascinating stories about Georgian and foreign women, their scientific achievements, and bravery.