The Kists of Pankisi Valley

Guliko Khangoshvili is a woman of many roles. She is a loving mother, wife, great cook and also the leader of the Women’s council in Pankisi Valley.

Guliko was born in Duisi. After entering a Tbilisi medical university, she got a red diploma of her dream profession, dentist. She chose this field because she found it appropriate for women who are too busy with caring about their families and children. She planned to open own office and accept patients at home.

When she was going to continue studying, she became pregnant. Over the following years, Guliko gave attention to her four kids. She needed to provide them with everything, especially a higher education. Now she and her husband have two economics and two doctors.

One day, Guliko joined a women’s club, of which she is nowadays a leader. The main reason for founding the club, today’s Women’s Council, was protecting women’s rights and being a mediator between women and men in Pankisi Valley. The start of the Women’s council was really difficult, because,

“Council of Elders and a part of the population in Pankisi Gorge were against the Women’s council, because of our traditions. Men are usually considered to be superior, and in the past, they never used to discuss the issues with women. But we broke it”.

“One of our greatest success was, that members of the Women’s Council and members of the Council of Elders created an information leaflet, which provides women with information about their rights. Women now know, when their rights are abused and in which case they can apply the Women’s council. Women in Pankisi Valley today are more self-confident."

Guliko also tries to solve other problems, which are present in Pankisi Valley. Problems like the high rate of unemployment, low salaries and exodus of families.

“In Pankisi Valley only women find good employment, they are employed in local schools or kindergartens, but for men it is very difficult to find a job. There are no industries, businesses or occupations. And that is the main reason why a lot of young people and families decide to leave the valley. I would like to change this.”