Armenia's GDP may increase by 13% if gender inequality is eliminated - Head of CIPE Armenia Office

YEREVAN, January 26. /ARKA/. Armenia's GDP may grow by 13% in the long term if gender inequality is eliminated, Director of the Armenian office of the Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) Luiza Ayvazyan said at a conference dedicated to gender economy and its importance for the development of women's entrepreneurship.

According to her, there is no gender inequality in many spheres in Armenia, women are actively involved in various sectors, but they are not as active in economic development issues.

"As a result of various studies, it was found that if gender inequality in Armenia's economy is eliminated and women's involvement is increased, the country's GDP can increase by 13% in the long term," she said.

She told ARKA news agency that today women are predominantly represented in micro, small and medium-sized enterprises in the textile, pharma and education sectors.

The head of CIPA Armenian office noted that employment is often an obstacle for women in Armenia: they go on maternity leave and drop out of the competitive field for 1-2 years.

At the same time, Ayvazyan emphasized that women's lack of abilities is not an obstacle. As an example, she cited the fact that in a number of countries the issue of the composition of the board of directors is regulated at the legislative level, and organizations are obliged to ensure at least 10% of women on the board.

In Armenia, there is no such law, and this is explained by the fact that women "do not have these abilities necessary to work in the board of directors," she said. -0-