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KAPAN,
Armenia, 5 December 2007 - Armenian women are underrepresented in public and
economic life, says an OSCE-supported report presented today in Kapan, the
capital of Syunik province.
The report notes that there is no united women's movement in the country, that
men control the important economic and political networks, and that they take
the most important decisions on behalf of women. In rural areas, women are
often unaware of their rights, and lack economic resources and networks
allowing them to become active in business and politics.
"We hope that this report will further contribute to the discussion about
gender equality in Armenia, and promote the role of women in political and
economic life both in Syunik and at the national level," said Ambassador
Sergey Kapinos, the Head of the OSCE Office in Yerevan.
The report offers ways to improve the situation, particularly by setting up
resource centres for local women interested in pursuing business and political
careers.
"Support for a forum that brings together active women who are interested
in change, activities with the media to raise awareness of gender issues and
stereotypes, and greater efforts to provide better gender-based statistics
would help to empower Armenian women," said Birgitta Wistrand, a gender
expert from Sweden and former Member of Parliament.
Wistrand prepared the report together with Armine Mkhiratyan, the Head of the
Department of Social Support at the Armenian Institute of Labour and Social
Research.
Since 2006, the OSCE Office in Yerevan and its Programme Implementation
Presence in Kapan have been involved in activities aimed at empowering women.
OSCE Office in Yerevan
89 Teryan St.
375009 Yerevan
Armenia
Tel: +374 10 54 10 62
+374 10 54 58 45
Fax: +374 10 54 10 61
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