Resident Spotlight: Mariam Antadze (Georgia)
From Tbilisi, Georgia, comes Mariam Antadze, who joined the I-House community in 2022. Mariam is a Project Coordinator at The Georgian Center for Psychosocial and Medical Rehabilitation of Torture Victims (GCRT), and is in New York City to attend the Human Rights Advocates Program (HRAP) of the Institute of the Study of Human Rights at Columbia University. We asked Mariam to share about her experience at I-House and its role in her professional development.
Tell us about yourself. What are you working on?
I work for the rights of individuals who have been subjected to difficult forms of violence, including torture and ill-treatment. Currently my focus is promoting and protecting the rights of women and children who have suffered as a result of the 2008 war after Russia’s invasion of Georgia, advocating for their rights nationally and internationally in front of the International Criminal Court.
Moreover, I work for the rights of victims of gender-based violence (GBV) and domestic violence, including survivors of sexual abuse. Presently, I am developing innovative approaches for the Georgian Judiciary System in that developing trauma-focused victim-centered approaches for the survivors of sexual assault during the investigation phase.
What made you decide to live here?
There is a very diverse environment for international students here, which is crucial for those who are leaving their homes for the first time. The support is very much felt here, something I like very much.
What would you like to accomplish in your career?
Little by little, human rights advocates like me can make the world a better place. I really hope one day Georgia will be free of GBV violence and Russia.
Do you think living at I-House will help you accomplish your goals?
Being able to meet so many people from around the world is very beneficial for someone in my field; learning by sharing is what I-House is all about.
What is your favorite spot at I-House?
The Dodge room, definitely.
Thank you, Mariam! We are so glad to have you in our community!
