ქალი, როგორც საარჩევნო სუბიექტი საქართველოში (1917-1920 წწ.)

ანოტაცია

This paper explores the emergence of women as electoral subjects in Georgia during the transformative years between 1917 and 1920. This period, marked by the collapse of the Russian Empire and the subsequent establishment of the Democratic Republic of Georgia, provided a unique historical and political backdrop that significantly impacted the status and roles of women in public life. The paper investigates how the broader political and social upheavals of the time especially those triggered by the Russian Revolution and the subsequent reconfiguration of political power created new opportunities and challenges for women seeking political recognition and participation. Central to the discussion are the elections of 1917, a watershed moment in Georgian history, during which women not only gained the right to vote but also began to actively assert themselves in the political sphere. This study pays special attention to the ways in which women engaged in these early democratic processes as voters, as candidates, and as active political agents thereby laying the groundwork for the future of women’s political involvement in Georgia. 95The paper further examines the brief but crucial period of Georgia’s independence from 1918 to 1921, during which the country adopted progressive legislation, including the extension of suffrage to women. Within this context, the paper analyzes the extent and limitations of women’s political participation, exploring both institutional frameworks and societal attitudes that shaped their roles. A comparative analysis of the positions of the major political parties of the time the Social Democrats (Mensheviks), Socialist-Federalists, Socialist-Revolutionaries, and National Democrats sheds light on how different ideological groups approached the issue of women’s rights. While some parties endorsed gender equality and encouraged female political participation, others remained ambivalent or even resistant to such changes. These differing political visions underscore the contested nature of women’s political agency and the broader debates about democracy, citizenship, and social change during this period. The study relies primarily on contemporary newspapers, parliamentary records, and archival documents, which offer valuable insights into the evolving discourse on women’s political roles. These sources reveal not only how women were represented in public debates but also how they represented themselves − through activism, candidacies, and participation in party structures. The research is primarily based on contemporary newspapers and archival materials, which provide valuable insights into how women’s roles in politics were discussed, supported, or challenged during this formative historical moment.