Over 100 work places for women wree created in Syunik marz with support of “WINNET Armenia” (Syunik Women’s Resource Center’s Network). In 2009, with support of OSCE Yerevan Office Women’s Resource centers were established in four cities of Syunik Marz. In 2014, it became a member of “WINNET Europe”.
WINNET Europe, the European Association of Women Resource Centres, was formed in year 2006 by national, regional and local Women Resource Centers (WRCs). WINNET Europe has in year 2014 member organizations in 11 of the 28 EU member states, in which only one, Armenia, is outside the EU.
In order to boost the cooperation between the Women’s resource centers, the OSCE Yerevan Office has organized visit of WINNET Europe delegation to Armenia.
“We want to share our success story. The centers have made significant progress over the past few years,” Oliver McCoy, OSCE Yerevan Office Democratization Programme Manager said.
Ruzanna Torozyan, the President of WINNET Armenia, said that women’s unemployment is a serious problem in Syunik marz of Armenia where the industrial companies located in the marz need only male workers. Thus, they tried to achieve certain success establishing production of souvenirs, dried fruit, and wool procession.
“Being involved in vocational programs these women in addition to making souvenirs and other products also restore the old traditional crafts. VINNET Armenia works in the direction of promoting the political empowerment of the women and the eveidence for this is the nimber of women representatives in the local government bodies in Syunik,” Ms Torozyan said.
Ms Britt-Marie Söderberg Torstensson, the President and Director of “WINNET SWEDEN” and “WINNET EUROPE”. She presented the available statistical information booklet, which shows that the participation of women and men in different spheres. Such statistics is carried out every two years in Sweden. And if in definite the area the domination by one sex is prevailing than the other sex then definite measures are being implemented to make the area attractive for the representatives of the other sex as well.
Ms Britt-Marie Söderberg Torstensson mentioned that such a statistical program has started in Armenia as well. And the study will enable to balance the gender participation in public and political life.
