Alla Parunova

Parunova became interested in feminism while working at a library. She was particularly inspired by one book she read, Elfriede Jelinek's novel Women as Lovers, which kickstarted her feminist analysis of her life experiences. She then began a gender studies master's degree,^[3] during which she also realized how she was oppressed due to her queer and ethnic Armenian identities.^[1] Her master's thesis explored "dominant discourses on sexuality" during the Brezhnev Era of the Soviet Union.^[3]

Parunova became a member of the Georgian Young Greens in 2015,^[3] and remained a member for 6–7 years, during which she became involved with feminist^[4] and environmental activism.^[1]

Parunova was born in Varketili, Tbilisi, where she was raised by an Armenian-speaking family. She then studied Georgian and later, Russian, in school. As a child, she felt isolated from Georgian society, and has spoken on her experiences of assimilation.^[1] She graduated from Tbilisi State University in 2012 with a bachelor's degree in English Language and Literature.^[3]

Parunova speaks four languages. She is queer, and described her sexuality as "inclusive, diverse, and...in the process of constant analysis".^[1]