Project with $1.4 million budget to strengthen role of Armenian women in politics and decision-making bodies
25.02.2019,
17:19
The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Armenia, in cooperation with the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Development and the OxyGen Foundation, announced today the launch of Women in Politics project.
YEREVAN, February 25. /ARKA/. The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Armenia, in cooperation with the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Development and the OxyGen Foundation, announced today the launch of Women in Politics project.
With a total budget of $1,451,373, the project designed for 2019 to 2021 and is to be implemented with financial support from the UK Good Governance Fund.
The objective of the project is to strengthen the role of women in Armenian society and in decision-making structures, as well as to facilitate the involvement of the younger generation in local governance and development processes by building on existing opportunities and expanding the results achieved in recent years.
After a comprehensive study of women's participation in political processes at the local level, as part of the project groups of trainers and community mentors will be created for conducting re-qualification courses and providing advice to women and young active leaders from various fields with different educations, interested in local politics.
An extensive network of women and youth representatives is expected to be created who will be ready to contribute to the development of society and the country.
Speaking at the event UK Ambassador to Armenia Judith Farnworth said the project is aimed at expanding women’s political rights, encouraging youth leadership, promoting inclusive local government, as well as raising public awareness and outreach.
According to her, the UK government supports this initiative through the Good Governance Fund, which provides financial and expert assistance to a specific group of countries committed to implementing management and economic reforms for the benefit of the population.
She said considering the fact that 32 women were elected to the parliament in Armenia last December, , the situation is largely the same as in the previous parliament. She added that Armenia’s electoral system does not contribute yet effectively to greater participation of women in elections.
According to the ambassador, the question is not so much about the number of women in parliament, but about the diversity of skills, experience and opinions they bring.
UNDP Resident Representative in Armenia Dmitry Maryasin said that the potential of Armenian women and youth, their talents and skills are often underutilized, and their participation and representation in local decision-making processes remains low.
He stressed that UNDP, together with its partners, will support policy reforms to empower women and young people, as well as expand innovative models for their participation in local decision-making processes.
Margarita Hakobyan, executive director of the OxyGen Foundation, said their organization highlights the problem of equal rights and opportunities. According to her, the problem of women's participation in politics is the most important area of their work. She also noted that the solution to this problem is possible only with combined efforts.
"Cooperation with various interested organizations is especially important, because only by joint efforts it is possible to realize and promote the participation of women in Armenian politics ," said Hakobyan. -0-
With a total budget of $1,451,373, the project designed for 2019 to 2021 and is to be implemented with financial support from the UK Good Governance Fund.
The objective of the project is to strengthen the role of women in Armenian society and in decision-making structures, as well as to facilitate the involvement of the younger generation in local governance and development processes by building on existing opportunities and expanding the results achieved in recent years.
After a comprehensive study of women's participation in political processes at the local level, as part of the project groups of trainers and community mentors will be created for conducting re-qualification courses and providing advice to women and young active leaders from various fields with different educations, interested in local politics.
An extensive network of women and youth representatives is expected to be created who will be ready to contribute to the development of society and the country.
Speaking at the event UK Ambassador to Armenia Judith Farnworth said the project is aimed at expanding women’s political rights, encouraging youth leadership, promoting inclusive local government, as well as raising public awareness and outreach.
According to her, the UK government supports this initiative through the Good Governance Fund, which provides financial and expert assistance to a specific group of countries committed to implementing management and economic reforms for the benefit of the population.
She said considering the fact that 32 women were elected to the parliament in Armenia last December, , the situation is largely the same as in the previous parliament. She added that Armenia’s electoral system does not contribute yet effectively to greater participation of women in elections.
According to the ambassador, the question is not so much about the number of women in parliament, but about the diversity of skills, experience and opinions they bring.
UNDP Resident Representative in Armenia Dmitry Maryasin said that the potential of Armenian women and youth, their talents and skills are often underutilized, and their participation and representation in local decision-making processes remains low.
He stressed that UNDP, together with its partners, will support policy reforms to empower women and young people, as well as expand innovative models for their participation in local decision-making processes.
Margarita Hakobyan, executive director of the OxyGen Foundation, said their organization highlights the problem of equal rights and opportunities. According to her, the problem of women's participation in politics is the most important area of their work. She also noted that the solution to this problem is possible only with combined efforts.
"Cooperation with various interested organizations is especially important, because only by joint efforts it is possible to realize and promote the participation of women in Armenian politics ," said Hakobyan. -0-
