There are established stereotypes that the place of the woman is in the family; the woman does not have equal rights and opportunities to have a job outside the family; the women’s involvement in managerial positions is low as well. Such opinions were voiced during the public discussions of the Alternative Shadow Report on Monitoring of Implementation of the Provisions of the “UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women” organized in Vanadzor City. Representatives of the non-governmental organizations, local government bodies, advocates, lawyers, and media representatives participated in the discussion. There were recommendations aimed to break the stereotypes and solve the problems, among them: to inform the citizens, to be more courageous to apply drastic measures, develop new legal regulations, etc.
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.
In the framework of this project trainings on women’s rights issues (labor discrimination, property rights, reproductive health rights, participation issues, and international law) for the advocates, lawyers, human rights activists, local government and civil society representatives were organized in Yerevan City and in Lori, Gegharkunik, Syunik and Shirak marzes of the RA. The response on the mentioned issues during the trainings was different. There were hot discussions regarding different issues based on the differences in customs and stereotypes in different areas.
Information leaflets about the women’s rights were published and disseminated in the communities of different marzes. A major platform for awareness is Iravaban.net website, which regularly reports on the women’s rights issues, the legislative changes in the sphere, as well as developments and success stories.
The lawyers provided free legal advice services in the framework of the project as well. Mr. Karen Zadoyan, AYLA President and Project Manager said that more than 600 people received free advice and added that the consultations are continued.
According to the Project Manager, the experience of these months shows that there is indeed a problem and that it is necessary in addition to women, to work with the men as well and to inform the latter about the women’s rights issues.
As for the Alternative Shadow Report on Monitoring of Implementation of the Provisions of the “UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women”, Mr. Zadoyan said that AYLA is the 3rd organization that has undertaken implementation of such a serious monitoring.
The report consists of two parts: the first are the studies and revealing the problem. Whereas the second part provides clear recommendations. Miss Syuzanna Soghomonyan, Advocate, AYLA Board Member, National Expert of the Project and Advocate Miss Mariam Zadoyan, member of the Armenian Young Lawyers Association, Legal Adviser of the Project introduced the Report.
Further, the organizers discussed the raised problems of the participants and listened to their recommendations, which later may be included in the final report.
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.
