Unite to End Gender-based Violence in Armenia

For Immediate Release:
November 12, 2009
Contact: Tatevik Aghabekyan
Tel: 010 51 91 68 or 094 56 56 26
Email: armwomen@namag.com

On November 25th, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, the Women’s Resource Center in Yerevan will mobilize community members and other NGOs to protest gender violence. The events planned for November 25th will mark the beginning of 16 days of activism to end violence against women and girls, which will include an exhibition and film screening at Kino Moscow in December. This will be the fourth year that the Women’s Resource Center has joined countries around the world in organizing events on November 25th to raise awareness about the issue of gender violence.

According to the United Nations Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women (1993), “violence against women” means any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual, or psychological harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or private life [Article 1]. Violence against women is not limited to physical violence; for example, it includes sexual and psychological violence, harassment, and emotional abuse. Gender-based violence can occur in intimate relationships, in the home, in the community, or in the workplace.
Violence against women is a widespread human rights abuse worldwide and domestic violence has been shown to be a serious issue in every country in which it has been studied . Armenia is no exception: Local surveys have found high rates of domestic violence in Armenia, in many cases resulting in serious injury or even death. At this time, there are few remedies or supports available for women in Armenia who experience violence. In our patriarchal society, violence against women acts as a mechanism for maintaining male dominance, power, and authority, and female submissiveness. Gender violence is connected to other issues of gender inequality, such as women’s limited access to social, political, and economic power. As a signatory member of the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, Armenia has committed to promoting equality and fostering women’s rights.

By denouncing violence against women and changing gender stereotypes and expectations in our culture, we are working to create a society in which all people are equal and have the same basic human rights, including the right to live free from violence or abuse.

Don’t be silent! Join us on November 25th!

Events planned for November 25, 2009 include:
• Peaceful March Protesting Violence Against Women (Meet at the Women’s Resource Center at 34 Zarubyan Street at 16:00)
• Candle lighting ceremony and open stage (Kino Moscow at 18:00)
• Collective art exhibition and film screening at kino Moscow on “Violence against women” – December 5-7, 2009