The Status of Women in Abkhazia: Respect and Reverence Are Not Enough, by Natella Akaba

As we know, International Women’s Day is celebrated in most countries around the world. On this festive spring day, women are treated with great warmth and respect.

By Natella Akaba, Political Scientist

This tradition is also deeply rooted in Abkhazia. Like many other peoples of the Caucasus, Abkhazians, following their traditional culture, have long held women, and especially mothers, in high regard. However, due to the influence of patriarchal traditions, women are often viewed primarily as mothers and caretakers of the home.

A Heavy Burden on Delicate Shoulders

International Women’s Day has become an integral part of our cultural life. It must be acknowledged that in Abkhazia, women play a crucial role in maintaining the family hearth, caring for children, and looking after elderly relatives. As global experience has shown, in societies that have endured armed conflict, the burden on women increases significantly. In situations where many men have perished in war or been left disabled, women have had to shoulder the primary responsibilities.

For Abkhazia, this burden was made even heavier by the aftermath of war, compounded by the blockade imposed in 1994 by CIS countries at Georgia’s request. Under these restrictions, men aged 16 to 60 were prohibited from crossing the Russian-Abkhazian border at the Psou River. This forced women to take on additional economic roles, pushing carts loaded with greens and fruits to sell, and bringing back essential goods purchased in Russia. As a result of the blockade, women became the primary breadwinners in many families.

The war and the subsequent blockade dealt a severe blow to the very foundations of Abkhazian society, deepening the economic crisis and placing even greater demands on women. Despite these challenges, Abkhazian women worked tirelessly to preserve their families and care for their loved ones. Even today, they continue to make significant contributions to the revival of our homeland, working with great dedication in various sectors, education, culture, and healthcare, while also engaging in entrepreneurship and agriculture.

It is important to recognise that the status of women in society is a key indicator of a country’s level of development. Therefore, in the process of building a democratic state, decisive measures must be taken to achieve gender equality.

The term "gender" refers to the social roles and characteristics attributed to men and women. While individuals are born male or female, they learn to behave as boys or girls, and as they grow, they adopt the roles and expectations assigned to them by society.

Overcoming Inequality

Unfortunately, at present, there is little basis to claim that gender equality exists in Abkhazia. While the Constitution and other legal frameworks formally grant men and women equal rights and opportunities, the reality is quite different. Women remain significantly underrepresented in both legislative and executive bodies, as well as in local government. This is despite the fact that women make up more than half of the country’s population, and many of them are educated, competent, and highly principled.

It is worth noting that in 2008, thanks to the initiative of the civil organisation The Association of Women of Abkhazia, the People’s Assembly passed the Law on Ensuring Equal Rights and Opportunities for Men and Women in the Republic of Abkhazia. However, this law has yet to be fully implemented as intended.

Many scholars have pointed out that Abkhazian culture, like the broader Caucasian culture, is traditionally warrior-like and masculine, which largely defines societal attitudes toward women.

In Abkhazia, the birth of a son is often celebrated more than that of a daughter. This can be partly explained by the traditional view that daughters are only temporary members of their family, as they are expected to marry and move in with their husband’s family. Sons, on the other hand, are seen as the continuation of the family lineage.

This reinforces the persistence of patriarchal traditions, not only in Abkhazia but across the Caucasus.

The Role of Women in Education and Society

Both in Soviet and post-Soviet times, higher education was considered highly prestigious for young women in Abkhazia. As a result, today the country has a significant number of intelligent, well-educated women who teach in universities and schools and engage in academic research.

However, it must be acknowledged that women remain significantly underrepresented in politics and decision-making processes. Several factors contribute to this. First, the unresolved Georgian-Abkhazian conflict perpetuates the militarisation of society, which in turn hampers progress toward gender equality. Another major obstacle is the international isolation of Abkhazia, as only a handful of countries have officially recognised its independence.

Patriarchal traditions and gender stereotypes continue to dominate, both in society at large and within the political elite. This, in turn, hinders Abkhazia’s development as a democratic state governed by the rule of law. It is essential to recognise that greater female participation in governance would lead to more effective solutions to both socio-economic and political challenges. Therefore, efforts must be made to improve the status of women in Abkhazia and to protect their rights and interests. Without question, this would accelerate the process of building a legal and democratic state while also helping to address critical national issues and ensuring a better quality of life for all citizens.

To achieve real and meaningful progress, it is crucial to create conditions that allow the most capable, educated, and professionally qualified women to participate in decision-making at all levels. This would not only serve the interests of women but benefit the entire population of the country.

+ The Blockade of Abkhazia and the Resilience of Its Women

+ Women's Status in Abkhazia: From The Past To The Present, by Natella Akaba

+ Caucasus Women and Conflict Prevention, by Natella Akaba 

+ 8 March: International Day of Women: Women as Peacemakers, by Rene Wadlow 

Growing Civic Engagement Among Women

Non-governmental organisations in Sukhum have brought together educated, talented individuals and motivated young activists.

Although the most prestigious leadership positions in government and administration continue to be occupied by men, with few exceptions, women’s civic engagement in Abkhazia has grown significantly in recent years. Women now dominate civil society organisations and the media.

However, it must be acknowledged that Abkhazia has yet to see meaningful progress in women's political representation. Their presence in government remains minimal due to the persistent influence of patriarchal traditions and gender stereotypes. This ongoing imbalance poses a significant challenge to the country's democratic and legal development.

This article was published by Sputnik Abkhazia and is translated from Russian.