Today,
on December 5, the session of the Public Council on Women's Rights adjunct to
the Human Rights Defender took place, dedicated to the international campaign
called “16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence”
Welcoming
the attendees, the Human Rights Defender Ms. Anahit Manasyan noted that this
event is another opportunity to emphasize the importance of promoting and
protecting women's rights, and to combine efforts made in that direction.
The
Defender noted that gender-based violence and domestic violence are specific
types of violence, therefore addressing and combating them also requires a
specific methodology. In this context, the Defender specifically emphasized
that it is necessary to take serious steps to create a non-discriminatory and
tolerant environment and society.
“I would like to emphasize that the Human
Rights Defender’s Office constantly receives complaints about cases of violence
against women, and domestic violence. In the period between January and
November 2023, the Defender’s Office received 78 written and verbal complaints
about domestic violence, in 67 of which women were subjected to violence,"
stated Ms. Anahit Manasyan in the opening speech.
During
her speech, the Defender stated that any manifestation of gender-based violence
and sexual harassment are highly condemnable. Emphasizing the role of the
Council in addressing and solving these problems, the Defender noted that it is
an exceptional bridge between the State and civil society.
Deputy
Head of the EU Delegation to Armenia Mr. Jan Plesinger, and Head of Office of
the UN Population Fund in Armenia Ms. Tsovinar Harutyunyan also made opening
remarks at the event. They also highlighted the role of the Council in
empowering women, preventing gender-based violence and violence against women.
During
the session, discussions were held on the current situation in Armenia
regarding the combat against domestic violence, and sexual harassment at the
workplace and education institutions. In
particular, the mechanisms of protection of the rights of victims of domestic
violence and gender-based violence, sexual harassment, sectoral gaps, and
existing stereotypes in the society were registered, and reference was made to
international legal structures and regulations.
Concluding
the event, Ms. Anahit Manasyan thanked the members of the Council and the
participants of the event for their active participation, outlining the main
directions, and the future steps of the Council's activities.
The
board meeting of the Public Council on Women's Rights adjunct to the Human
Rights Defender was held with the support of “Accountable Institutions and
Human Rights Protection in Armenia” Project funded by the EU and implemented
jointly by UNDP, UNICEF, UNFPA, and OSCE.
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