The event was organized on the initiative
of the NGO "Women's Agenda", which was attended by representatives of
local self-government, public administration and civil society.
The aim of the forum is to create a
platform to present the research work carried out in the post-war period with a
gender-sensitive approach, targeting the groups directly affected by the war.
Before the discussion, the Defender
Grigoryan made an opening speech expressing her gratitude for organizing such
an event and highlighting its importance.
In
her speech, the Defender particularly mentioned that the understanding of the
significance and importance of the UN Resolution 1325 on "Women, Peace and
Security" are underdeveloped in our country. It is more troubling that
there are almost no meaningful conversations about the practical long-term and
short-term benefits of implementation of this resolution.
“In other words, what means to engage
women equally in conflict prevention efforts, peace talks, peacebuilding and
peacekeeping, as well as humanitarian response and post-conflict recovery
activities.
We talk a lot about the strengthening of
women's political participation and economic empowerment, but I think after the
war we need to intensify the conversation and, more importantly, the concrete
efforts to increase women's participation in security, peacebuilding,
prevention of conflict and its aftermath. We should be open to see that the
engagement of women in the armed forces and law enforcement system increases
the quality and efficiency of general service. We should not hesitate to talk
openly about the issues.
During the last four weeks, I have met
more than a hundred women and girls in Artsakh and Armenia who were displaced
by the 44-day war, lost everything, many of them lost relatives and their
normal lives.
I have met women who have been waiting for
the return of their husband, son, brother and father from captivity and
obscurity for almost two years after the end of the war, who are struggling and
waiting for justice.
In the case of most of the women I met,
the care and burden of the family, very often their livelihood, children's
education, upbringing and psychological assistance are on their shoulders. The
impact of wars and their consequences on women is unspeakably great.
I met women who before the war, not being
involved in family decision-making, took control of their family destinies in
that crisis situation saving their children, finding a home, getting a new
profession, finding a new job, setting new goals and dreaming of a good future.
All these women should raise their voice and
have an essential role in the prevention of new conflicts, peace talks,
decision-making process and crisis management. The use of the potential of
these women who have shown the ability to adapt in difficult situations and
have found a way to get out of impossible situations is a reliable guarantee of
a good future for our state and society.”
Finally, the Defender mentioned in her speech
that everyone has its responsibility in advancing this agenda: to protect,
prevent, encourage, participate, support and control.
Further, Defender Grigoryan chaired a
panel discussion entitled "Women, Peace and Security: Steps Taken in the
Post-war Period," where the speakers presented their research followed by
an interesting discussion.
Հայերեն
