On March 10, in celebration of International Women’s Day, the Young Diplomats’ Club of Georgia, in collaboration with the Chavchavadze Center, hosted a discussion on “Diplomatic Conversations – Women’s Role and Challenges in Diplomacy and Politics.” The event, featuring Nino Kalandadze, Executive Director of the Chavchavadze Center and former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia (2008–2012), explored the critical intersection of gender equality, political power, and the global rise of authoritarianism.

In her keynote presentation, Kalandadze shared her own experience and particularly underscored gender disinformation as an effective tool used to undermine democratic institutions in the era of hybrid warfare. She further highlighted the increasing threats to democratic institutions worldwide, emphasizing how the erosion of civil liberties disproportionately impacts women in politics and diplomacy. She argued that authoritarian regimes often suppress women’s political participation, seeing gender equality as a challenge to centralized control. According to Kalandadze, fostering a strong and independent civil society is essential for countering these trends, as historically, patriotic civic movements in Georgia have been inclusive spaces where women played a crucial role in shaping public and private life.