March 7, 2025
News
When celebrating International Women's Day, it's important not to forget the reality that women in Georgia face. Every day, women in our country overcome numerous challenges caused by gender inequality, societal stigmas, harmful traditions, and systemic issues. However, each of us can point to countless strong women who, despite the obstacles, push forward toward their goals, break stereotypes, and carve out their rightful place in society.
Challenges and Stigmas Faced by Doctors in Rural Areas
Tea Sakhokia is a family doctor at a rural outpatient clinic in Senaki Municipality of Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti region of Georgia. While she now works in a newly built clinic, she previously operated one from her own home, seeing up to 800 patients in the villahe. Today, Tea is still responsible for the health of hundreds, including children and the elderly.
In honor of International Women's Day, we asked Tea to share the challenges she faces due to societal stigmas and the difficulties of being a family doctor in a rural area. According to her, being a doctor requires extra effort for a woman, as she must balance her medical practice with her family responsibilities. However, Tea says she always feels supported by her family.
Regarding her medical practice, Tea explains that doctors working in rural areas face many challenges in overcoming the stigmas ingrained in the population, particularly in the area of oncoprevention:
"It is often very difficult to obtain informed consent from patients for certain medical procedures, but over time, we still achieve positive results. For example, in one family, we waited seven years to obtain informed consent to include their children in the immunization program. Eventually, we succeeded, and today each child is vaccinated according to the national vaccination calendar with an individualized schedule. We also had a case where it took a year of communication with a high-risk patient to include him in the oncoprevention program. As a result, he was diagnosed with stage II cancer and is currently recovering under the state program."
Despite the numerous challenges faced by doctors in rural areas, Tea remains determined. Alongside her medical practice, she is actively involved in various educational activities, focusing on raising awareness among the population and delivering key messages to at-risk groups and schoolchildren.
Women's Role in Societal Development
Tea believes that women play a crucial role in societal development and humanitarian efforts, often becoming role models and examples of strength for others:
“When teenage girls witness the example of an active mother and a successful woman in real life, they see an unwavering and relentless struggle against difficulties. This inspires them not only to follow the same path but to aim even higher, to work hard, and to set new goals for themselves.”
Tea believes that International Women's Day serves as a reminder to society of the significant role women play. An educated and informed woman makes independent decisions, is unafraid of challenges and responsibilities, strengthens the family, guides her children toward healthy values, supports the development of their skills in society, and contributes to the overall creation of a healthy community.
Tea shares that at this stage, she feels supported, as the village now has a new, modern outpatient clinic, thanks to the Georgian Medical Holding. After a twenty-year wait, the clinic is equipped with the latest technology, funded by the European Union and the World Health Organization. Additionally, staff training is underway to enhance their qualifications:
“The telemedicine project, supported by Caritas Czech Republic, is a very important initiative, with Senaki Municipality participating. I believe that many valuable projects focused on primary healthcare will be implemented in the country in the future.”
As an ordinary woman from Georgia, Tea hopes to see more women in both the legislative and executive branches, at the local and central levels.
