AYF ARMENIA PUTS THE SPOTLIGHT ON WOMEN’S ROLE IN POLITICS
March 10, 2012
On March 10, AYF Armenia’s seminar on “Women’s role in politics” took
place at the organization’s premises. Keynote speakers were ARF-D
Member of Parliament Ruzan Arakelyan and Socialist International’s
Vice-President Maria Titizian.
Although women are more than half of the population and 70% of them are
of higher education still very few women engage in social-political
life. Arakelyan noted that however gender equality is stated by
law, in real life is quite different. She argued that people with
intellectual background provide a country’s development. “And we have
no bigger treasure than our intellectuals” she said. There are 11
women members of the Armenian Parliament, today and are very active,
stated Arakelyan.
“We idealize the Armenian mother. If that is so, then we have to
struggle to build a country where our children will want to stay” said
Titizian. “I believe that women’s participation will improve political
culture” she added and cited a few Western European countries’ examples
where because of the large number of women involved in, social reforms
have been rooted better and implemented faster. International rates
show women’s engagement in politics around 20-22% whereas in Armenia
is 9%. “If women decided to go on a 24-hour strike all activities in
Armenia would pause. There’s a lot of power in women’s hands but it’s
not being used” said Titizian.
To achieve polyphony and form a more representational youth
audience, AYF Armenia had invited members from other political youth
organizations, as well.
From: A. Papazian