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.
Portage’s Role in Supporting Children with Specific Requirements
March is Women’s Month, and this year, we want to highlight women who make significant contributions to the development of our society. One such woman is Nino Guliashvili, the Director of the Georgian Portage Association and Supervisor of the Early Development Program.
Founded in 2006, Portage was the first organization in Georgia to launch an early intervention program. The organization’s mission is to support, empower, and promote the social inclusion of children with specific requirements and their families. In addition to the early development program, Portage offers various therapeutic services, including communication, language and speech therapy, Denver Early Intervention Therapy, academic skills therapy, art therapy, and behavioral therapy.
Nino has been leading Portage for two years now, and it’s been three years since the organization has been functioning independently, without support from the Child Development Institute.
“This has been a major challenge, both for me and for the specialists working here. But thanks to a strong and motivated team, we are handling it well. As the director and a practicing specialist, I constantly think about the organization’s work from the perspective of parents and families, to quickly identify areas where our team can offer support. Caring for the well-being of children, strengthening families, raising awareness, and providing emotional support to parents are some of our key goals.” says Nino.
Nino explains that many women are employed in her field, and they are in constant communication with families of children with specific requirements. She highlights that all parents have their expectations and desires for their children, but every child is unique, with their own abilities and interests.
“We are the ones who provide emotional support and awareness-raising to parents at the very start of their journey. Our duty is to support both the child and their parents in the right way. We also work closely with those in early and preschool education, who often work under difficult conditions, leading to emotional burnout. Unfortunately, state institutions are not actively involved in addressing this issue.” she says.
Challenges Faced by Workers in the Field
Nino explains that many of the people working in this field, a large proportion of whom are women, face numerous challenges that take a toll on their emotional well-being. One of the biggest issues, she says, is the lack of medical insurance, as well as the problems surrounding maternity leave pay and the absence of paid vacation. Those working in the field are often paid on an hourly basis, which creates financial instability and makes it difficult to maintain a steady income:
“Am I just a specialist? I am a wife, a mother, a specialist, and the head of an organization. In every role, I need emotional stability. Plus, the financial side is crucial for our well-being.” Nino reflects.
Despite these emotional and financial challenges, Nino continues to pursue her goals because she loves her work. She remains motivated and believes in new perspectives, discoveries, and ideas. She also finds great joy in interacting with people and in positive communication, which helps her overcome obstacles.
“I always say that I’ve been lucky to have the right people by my side at every stage of my life. My parents, who gave me a wonderful childhood and taught me unconditional love for others. My husband, who is my emotional support and advisor — we share responsibilities and create an equal environment at home. My children, with whom I continue to learn and grow. I cannot forget Nino Tsintsadze, the founder of Portage, who created such a capable team. Now, I am moving forward with these amazing specialists toward a shared goal, and I know we will succeed.”
What International Women’s Day Means for Nino
Nino believes that women in her field are deeply committed to improving early childhood education, as well as general and higher education in Georgia. These women work hard, setting an example for others of how to care for society, believe in one’s abilities, and work together for a better future — a future where education and continuous development are top priorities.
“What does Women’s Day mean to me? Honestly, in a country where many families still prefer to have a son over a daughter, I feel like celebrating this day can seem a bit cliché. Simply setting aside this day for congratulatory messages or flowers doesn’t address the larger issues that women face in our country. Sadly, various forms of violence and oppression against women have become normalized in Georgia.” says Nino.
When asked what changes she would like to see for women in the country and in her field, Nino responded:
“All the challenges we face in our field require the involvement and initiatives from the state. I would like to see an effective system of social protection and care. I would like more projects and campaigns to raise awareness, focusing on equality and social justice. I would like to see the work of housewives appreciated. I would like to see many caring fathers, who, through their actions and daily lives, show their children respect, care, and support for women. I believe that this type of upbringing and living in an environment of mutual respect will help change the harmful attitudes that persist in our society.”
Nino Guliashvili is involved in the project “Improvement of Early Childhood Intervention and Inclusive Education in Georgia,” supported by the Czech Development Agency. Her work is contributing to the development of the field, supporting specialists, and helping build a better future for children with specific requirements.
