The level of vulnerability of the women’s rights and the corruption are interrelated in Kapan.
“For example, the number of Caesarian sections in our city has increased as compared with births in a natural way. It is an accepted practice to give 120-150 thousand AMD to the doctor for the caesarean section. This is one of the major problems,” Ms Kristina Sagahtaelyan, President of “Kapan Recourse Center” NGO said in the interview with Iravaban.net. Whereas the obstetric aid should be free of charge. According to the NGO leader the women’s rights are violated due to the lack of awareness. The NGO conducted a survey in the field of obstetric aid in Kapan City and raised the problems (grant was provided in the framework of “Multi-Faceted Anti-Corruption Promotion” project).
In addition to the lack of awareness, the level of women’s participation in the public and political life of the city is low as well. Thought the residents of Kapan City proudly mentioned that there region holds the first place by the number of women involved in the community management sphere: The heads of 4 communities from overall 109 are women from Kapan City.
On 6 October, the presentation and public discussion of the Draft Alternative Shadow Report on Monitoring of Implementation of the Provisions of the “UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women” (available in Armenian) organized in Kapan City.
In his opening speech Mr. Karen Zadoyan, the President of the Armenian Young Lawyers Association presented the draft alternative report and spoke about the target problems.
According to Mr. Zadoyan it is necessary to give women a chance and they will change the country and improve the vulnerable areas. Mr. Zadoyan quoted Mahatma Gandhi’s words, “I believe that India’s salvation depends on the sacrifice and enlightenment of her women.”
Miss Ani Asryan, Regional Coordinator/Legal Adviser of the project in Syunik marz facilitated the seminar. During the discussion there was a recommendation to involve the women in the Road police System as well, as the women inspectors are more demanding and vigilant.
In addition to the discussions the speakers made presentations. Miss Mariam Zadoyan, Advocate, Member of the AYLA, Legal Adviser of the “Influencing the Women’s Rights Agenda” Project introduced the methodology of the report. She informed that inquiries among the state and non governmental bodies were conducted in the framework of the project.
Miss Syuzanna Soghomonyan, Advocate, AYLA Board Member, National Expert of the “Influencing the Women’s Rights Agenda” Project mentioned the main issue and cited some recommendations which were made.
After the discussion, AYLA President Karen Zadoyan handed certificates to the graduates of the first phase of trainings organized in Syunik marz in the framework of the project. Notably the trainees had conducted public awareness seminars for the population of the marz as well.
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
