Mariam Natadze is AHF Georgia’s Youth Friendly Center Coordinator. Her story is next in our “I Am AHF” series featuring remarkable staff, clients, and partners who are doing what’s right to save lives every day. Interviewed by Diana Shpak, Knowledge Management Focal Point, AHF Europe Bureau.
Mariam Natadze, a psychologist with over 20 years of professional experience in supporting vulnerable youth and adults, joined AHF one year ago as the Youth Friendly Center Coordinator for AHF Georgia. Today, she leads the Global Youth Friendly Center, a role she sees not just as a job, but as a calling.
Tell us more about yourself – how you came to work at AHF and what drew you to this mission?
Throughout my career, I’ve led and contributed to numerous national and international projects, ranging from supporting incarcerated youth to working with women and children affected by violence and trauma. A turning point for me was working closely with children who had experienced sexual violence. Alongside supporting victims, I also worked with juveniles who had been convicted of sexual crimes. In many of those cases, I noticed a clear pattern: The root causes often stemmed from a lack of basic sexual and reproductive health (SRH) education. Some become victims. Others become perpetrators, trapped in cycles of harm that could have been prevented with education and awareness.
This experience deeply resonated with me, not only as a psychologist but also as a mother of two children. I kept thinking about the kind of world I want my children to grow up in – one where they feel safe, informed, and respected.
Living and working in Georgia, a traditionally conservative society with strong Orthodox Christian values, I’ve seen how cultural norms often promote silence or shame around issues such as sexuality and reproductive health. Formal SRH education is largely absent or minimal in Georgian schools, leaving generations of young people uninformed, unprepared, and burdened by stigma.
Public figures and religious leaders in Georgia often reinforce the silence, discouraging open discussions in schools and at home. As a result, young people enter adolescence confused and uncertain about their bodies, emotions, and rights.
When I saw the opportunity to join AHF, I knew it was the right next step. Its mission aligned with my commitment to addressing the root causes of harm and promoting health education that empowers young people and protects their rights.
What does your work at the Youth Friendly Center involve?
Our work focuses on raising awareness about SRH, promoting HIV testing, and creating a safe, non-judgmental space where young people can ask questions and acquire knowledge. To achieve this, we engage at-risk adolescents and university students. I have developed a comprehensive two-month training program covering key topics of SRH, HIV, and other STIs. The program combines art therapy, group discussions, role play, and interactive exercises to make learning accessible and engaging.
For example, during one exercise, participants are asked to draw outlines of their own body and mark where they first noticed the changes during puberty. From there, we explore what those changes meant physically, emotionally, and socially. We also address bullying, violence, and unplanned pregnancy in an age-appropriate and open way, helping young people understand their bodies and boundaries.
To strengthen youth engagement at our center, I introduced an institutional approach by forming partnerships with universities. These collaborations have created internships and volunteer opportunities for students who receive training in SRH, communication, and peer education. Afterward, they actively contribute to our programs, co-facilitating training sessions for adolescents and independently delivering peer-led presentations on HIV and STIs.
How many people usually attend your sessions? Are the groups stable?
Attendance varies depending on referrals from partner organizations and the specific target group. For example, one of our first groups consisted of 16 adolescent girls. Despite the partner coordinator expressing concerns that the participants might not remain engaged beyond the first session, every single participant completed the full program, demonstrating high commitment and consistency. Another time, there were six girls and nine boys.
As for university students, especially those in master’s programs, I typically host two to three at a time. I recall one occasion after giving a presentation when the lecturer told me, “Marika, your talk was so inspiring that the entire group wanted to join your center.” Unfortunately, the students had to be divided among various NGOs, so only two from that group were assigned to us.
What are the biggest challenges you face at work?
One of the biggest challenges in my work is the persistent stigma and resistance surrounding SRH topics. Even medically accurate terms for body parts are often stigmatized, and young people are frequently taught that speaking about their anatomy is shameful or inappropriate. I have personally experienced this resistance. For example, before a session in private school, I was cautioned to “be careful” when discussing sensitive topics. But instead of staying silent, I see that as a sign of how necessary these conversations are. Each time I speak openly and honestly, I know I am helping to break stigma, and that makes the challenges worth it.
Do you feel this work has changed you personally?
Absolutely. Even as a psychologist, I’ve had to confront and overcome my own discomfort with certain terms or topics. But seeing young people gain confidence and clarity through these sessions constantly reminds me why this work is so important.
What kind of feedback do you receive from participants?
It is overwhelmingly positive. Many participants say that, for the first time, they clearly understand the symptoms and transmission routes of STIs, and that the common myths they previously believed were finally addressed and debunked. Many also mentioned that they have never had a space like this before. They learn about their rights, their choices, and their voices. Some say that they now feel confident enough to say “no,” to identify unhealthy relationships, or to stand up for their boundaries.
That’s the goal — not just awareness, but empowerment through knowledge and open conversation.
What is your future vision for this crucial project?
I want our center to grow into a recognized and trusted space where young people feel free to talk about sensitive issues without fear of being judged — where they join, not only for information, but for respect, understanding, and support.
Eventually, I hope our center will become a model that inspires the integration of SRH into formal education nationwide. With our active involvement, SRH education for students could be integrated into the curriculum of higher education institutions—starting with the universities we currently collaborate with—and serve as a successful model for others to follow.
Aside from your work, do you have any hobbies?
These days, I spend most of my time outside work with my two children and close friends. I used to read constantly, but now, my “hobbies” are about meaningful connection – listening, sharing, and supporting the people I care about.
How would you describe your job in one or two sentences?
Challenging, interesting, and full of positive feedback from the children, students, and adolescents. It gives me motivation and inspiration to see that they are happy, and they are aware of their rights, their health, and their skills. I know that this work is creating real, lasting change.
