The poor state of the women’s rights protection in Gegharkunik marz is aggravated, and especially in the rural communities. Here the stereotype thinking that exist among the population makes the young girls and women to have no job, to depend upon the men and be involved only in household activities. Among other issues the difficult economic situation of the population has its negative impact on the low awareness level among the women.
On this assumption the public discussions of the Alternative Shadow Report on Legal Monitoring of Implementation of the Provisions of the “UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women” in Armenia stated from Gegharkunik marz (region).
The discussion was held in a rather hot atmosphere. Among the participants were representatives of NGOs, Local Self Government Bodies, teachers and lawyers.
“It’s time to break the stereotypes,” Mr. Karen Zadoyan, the AYLA President said introducing the draft and assured that the task should be implemented by the men.
“Results are the most important here, and the primary task is realization of the change through the draft,” Mr. Zadoyan said, and asked the participants to submit their own observations. “We will try to raise the problems through the public. We want the proposals to be realistic, based on need and alleviate the current situation of women’s rights,” concluded the Project Manager.
A 165-page report consists of two parts: the first are the studies and the second part provides recommendations. Notably the recommendations’ part will be supplemented because it is anticipated to receive various analyses and recommendations from Yerevan and 4 marzes in the framework of the public discussions that were launched today.
Advocate Miss Mariam Zadoyan, the member of the Armenian Young Lawyers Association, Legal Advisor of the “Influencing the Women’s Rights Agenda” project introduced the methodology of the report.
“We have conducted a number of inquiries in different state and non-governmental bodies having the aim to retrieve additional official information and statistic data, which we have included as well,” said the advocate.
Miss Syuzanna Soghomonyan, Advocate, AYLA Board Member, National Expert of the Project introduced the problems that exist in the sphere. The expert pointed out three main problems which were included in the report: the low level of awareness among the women on reproductive rights and reproductive health, including the harmful effects of abortions; absence of the mechanisms of incentives provided by law in case of the birth of girls; in addition, Armenia is among the worst countries with high rate of sex-selective abortions.”
So it is advisable to consider the opportunity that the suggestions and recommendations of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women create binding legal effect for the party countries.
In addition to above said the report includes dozens of proposals according to the articles as well.
At the end of the discussion, AYLA President Karen Zadoyan handed certificates to the graduates of awareness seminars on the women’s rights of the first training course organized in Gegharkunik marz.
The Draft Shadow report was prepared by the “Armenian Young Lawyers Association” NGO (AYLA) in the framework of “Influencing the Women’s Rights Agenda” Project with financial assistance of Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany.
The members of the working group of Draft Shadow Report are: Advocate Mr. Karen Zadoyan, AYLA President and “Influencing the Women’s Rights Agenda” Project Manager; Mr. Carl Ulbricht, the International Expert of the Project; M. David Abgaryan, Advocate, Vice President of the AYLA, National Expert of the Project; Miss Syuzanna Soghomonyan, Advocate, AYLA Board Member, National Expert of the Project; Miss Mariam Zadoyan, Advocate, Member of the AYLA, Legal Adviser of the Project; and Miss Tatevik Manukyan, Legal Adviser of the Project.
Gevorg Tosunyan
