Improved reporting of violence against women and domestic violence cases by Armenian journalists

Journalists representing different regional TV channels, online and print media of Armenia discussed the principles of media reporting on the topics of violence against women and domestic violence in a three-day online training seminar. The seminar addressed how media can help raise awareness about violence against women and domestic violence, the sensitive techniques of interviewing victims/survivors of violence, the use of background information and statistics to present violence against women as a societal problem rather than as an individual personal tragedy, facts and reality vs. myths and stereotypes, the existing national legislation, policies and practices, as well as the international instruments, such as the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (the Istanbul Convention).

“Coverage of this topic, in-depth analysis of the causes of violence require a sensitive approach, proper awareness raising of the legal framework and facts. Therefore, the media are our strong partners in promoting gender equality and preventing violence against women,” highlighted Sophie Bostanchyan, Head of the Human Trafficking and Women Issues Department, Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs of Armenia.

“I find the training extremely useful, now I know how to better conduct investigations related to cases of violence against women and domestic violence, where to take and how to correctly use the background information and statistics.”, said Armenak Davtyan, a reporter from “Aravot” daily newspaper and “Radiolur” Public Radio programme from Syunik region.

The training was organised within the framework of the Council of Europe project “Path towards Armenia’s ratification of the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence” in partnership with the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs of Armenia.