Women’s political participation is severely limited in the Tskhinvali region. Women’s involvement in the governance system is conditioned not only by legal and cultural factors, but also by social stereotypes that see women’s role more in the family than in public life.

Public information and data on women’s participation in government positions are scarce, although it is known that political positions are mainly held by men.

Compared to 2023, the situation in the so-called cabinet of ministers, where women held four portfolios out of 12 ministers, has worsened.[1] Currently, the only female minister is Radmila Dzagoeva, who holds the position of the minister of culture.[2] Her appointment to this position once again demonstrates that women’s influence on political decisions is minimized. In the parliament, only one out of 34 seats is held by a woman.[3]

Women's participation in decision-making positions is practically zero, which undermines their opportunities for political participation.[4]

A prominent example of women's political activism is Alla Dzhioyeva[5], who won the second round of the so-called presidential elections on November 27, 2011, with 51.37% of the vote, beating her main opponent, Anatoly Bibilov. Dzhioyeva had to campaign against many challenges, including strong external pressure.[6]

This fact confirms that despite strong gender barriers, women can play an important role in political processes. However, this example also clearly demonstrates discrimination against women. After Dzhioyeva's victory, the results were annulled and new elections were held at the behest of Moscow due to the unacceptability of the winning candidate.

Civic activism

Civic activism in the Tskhinvali region is controlled by the local authorities and law enforcement agencies.

There is no organization protecting women’s rights in the region. Despite widespread persecution and control, women predominate in civic activism. Despite difficulties, Tamara Mearakishvili, a resident of Akhalgori, actively fights against injustice in the region, for which she has been persecuted and assaulted by local law enforcement officers since 2016.[7]

Domestic violence

Domestic violence in the occupied territories is one of the most difficult and taboo issues.[8]

Women living in the Tskhinvali region often become victims of physical, sexual, economic, emotional, and psychological violence from family and society. Women find it difficult to speak openly about these problems because of the stigma in society and fear towards law enforcement agencies. It should be noted that violence against women in Akhalgori, especially abduction for the purpose of starting a family, was widespread. However, in contrast to other forms of domestic violence, this practice has decreased recently.[9]

Women victims of violence in the Tskhinvali region cannot receive adequate services because there are no crisis centers for supporting victims. The public’s attitude towards domestic violence is traditional, which hinders freedom of expression. In addition, there is no preventive legal mechanism[10] that would help women protect themselves from violence. It is worth noting that the existing law against domestic violence is formal and ineffective.

Due to the desire to cover up crimes, there are no statistics on victims of domestic violence/femicide. Cases of violence in the region are quite common, but no one speaks about it openly. One of the high-profile cases is that of Ana Sanakoeva,[11] who was an employee of the International Committee of the Red Cross[12] and actively participated in meetings that contributed to the process of building a peace policy. According to locals, it was precisely because of her participation in one of such events that in 2014, Znauri district police chief Murman Kulukhov shot her dead during an argument.[13]

Reproductive health

One of the main challenges in the region is women's right to sexual and reproductive health, namely access to contraceptives and maternity hospitals.[14]

Due to fear and pressure from society, victims of domestic violence do not have the opportunity to receive appropriate psychological support.[15] This often affects their reproductive health.

Inadequate awareness, stigmatization and limited access to health services further aggravate the situation of women.

Economic hardship and employment

There are no programmes focused on women's employment in South Ossetia. Women who try to get employed often face discrimination and low wages, further hampering their ability to achieve economic independence and increasing migration.

There are no care facilities for persons with disabilities in Tskhinvali, further depriving mothers of employment opportunities.

[1] Sputnik South Ossetia - “Women in Power in South Ossetia”, available at: https://sputnik-ossetia.ru/20230307/zhenschiny-u-vlasti-v-yuzhnoy-osetii-21805201.html [Last accessed 25.01.2025]

[2] Website of the government of South Ossetia, available at: https://rsogov.org/government/structure [Last accessed 29.01.2025]

[3] Parliament of the Republic of South Ossetia, available at: https://parliamentrso.org/node/4553

[4] Common Values ​​for Rebuilding Trust between Georgians and Ossetians, Friedrich Ebert Foundation 2022, available at: https://library.fes.de/pdf-files/bueros/georgien/20255.pdf [Last accessed 29.01.2025]

[5] Civil Georgia “Ala Dzhioeva”, available at: https://civil.ge/ka/archives/152719 [Last accessed 26.01.2025]

[6] [6] Alla Dzhioyeva is leading in the so-called presidential elections, November 28, 2011, available at: https://netgazeti.ge/news/11634// [Last viewed 26.01.2025]

[7] Echo of the Caucasus - “Mordoboy as a form of deputy violence against voters” 20/12/2024, available at: https://www.ekhokavkaza.com/a/mordoboy-kak-forma-deputatskogo-obscheniya-s-izbiratelyami/33247592.html [Last accessed 29.01.2025]

[8]  [Human rights situation in the occupied territories - ombudsman's report, May 3, 2016, available at: https://www.timer.ge/rogor-aris-asakhuli-ombucmeni-saparlamento-angarishshi-adamianis-uplebebis-mdgomareoba-okupirebul-teritoriebze/ [Last accessed 29.01.2025]

[9] Netgazeti - “Women Victims of Violence in Akhalgori.” 10.12.2015, available at: https://netgazeti.ge/south_caucasus/84963/ [Last accessed 29.01.2025]

[10]  RЕС “It is not right to remain silent, hearings on domestic violence were held in the parliament of South Ossetia”, 17.05.2024, available at: https://cominf.org/node/1166556547  [Last accessed 29.01.2025]

[11] [11] Echo of the Caucasus - “Ana Sanakoeva’s murderer sentenced to ten years”, available at: https://www.ekhokavkaza.com/a/28014725.html  [Last accessed 29.01.2025]

[12] Echo of the Caucasus - “Sanakoeva’s Case will be Sent to Court”, available at: https://www.ekhokavkaza.com/a/27341169.html [Last accessed 19.02.2025]

[13] Echo of the Caucasus - “Sanakoeva’s Case: A Check on Justice” 20.05.2016, available at: https://www.ekhokavkaza.com/a/27747979.html  [Last accessed 29.01.2025]

[14] Public Defender of Georgia on the Situation of Human Rights and Freedoms in Georgia, Tbilisi, 2023, page 27, available at: https://www.ombudsman.ge/res/docs/2024052311354297279.pdf [Last accessed 29.01.2025]

[10]  “It is not right to remain silent, hearings on domestic violence were held in the parliament of South Ossetia”17.05.2024. Available at: https://cominf.org/node/1166556547  [Last accessed 29.01.2025]