Photo: Stina Magnusson Buur / Kvinna till Kvinna

Kvinna till Kvinna in Armenia

Kvinna till Kvinna has supported women’s rights in Armenia since 2004. Political and economic inequality persists in Armenia, and many women have difficulties accessing health care. Women are also largely excluded from peace talks on the Nagorny-Karabakh conflict. Our partners promote women’s political participation, raise awareness of women’s rights and offer free health care.

Why we work in Armenia

Armenia and Azerbaijan have been in conflict over the Nagorny-Karabakh region since the dissolution of the Soviet Union. A ceasefire was negotiated in 1994, but no lasting peace has been reached. Peace talks so far have been conducted almost entirely by men.

Politically, women are poorly represented in Armenia. Only 9% of seats in parliament are held by women, despite a law stipulating at least 1 in 5 electoral candidates should be female.

Economically, there is no right to equal pay for equal work. Many women work both multiple jobs and shoulder the full burden of housework and childcare. Still, they earn just half as much on average as Armenian men.

Maternal mortality rates in Armenia are eight times the EU average. Knowledge about SRHR is poor, and selective abortion of female fetuses a common problem. The majority of Armenians—especially rural women—struggle to access health care.

Nationalism and heavy militarisation have entrenched traditional gender roles in society. Because of this, women’s rights activists and pacifists are often unpopular and face regular threats.

Rom Danial, Lida Minasyan, Lilly Minasyan, Perchuhy Kazhoyan, Lala Aslikyan and Kamo Davtyan of the Women’s Resource Center at an 8 March demonstration in Yerevan. Photo: Petra Hultman
Rom Danial, Lida Minasyan, Lilly Minasyan, Perchuhy Kazhoyan, Lala Aslikyan and Kamo Davtyan of the Women’s Resource Center at an 8 March demonstration in Yerevan. Photo: Petra Hultman

How we support women in Armenia

Together with our partner organisations in Armenia, we work to:

  • support women affected by the conflict
  • promote trust and understanding between opposing sides of the conflict
  • encourage young women and ethnic minority youth to engage in politics
  • educate society about women human rights, SRHR and stereotypes
  • offer free gynaecological care and specialist referrals
  • promote women’s economic empowerment
  • prevent gender-based violence and support survivors and their children

Major victory against domestic abuse

For years, Armenia did little to prevent violence against women—despite it being a grave and widespread problem. Our partners lobbied for years to change this, united under the umbrella of the Coalition to Stop Violence Against Women. In 2017, their work paid off: Armenia finally adopted a law against domestic violence!

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Photo: Pi Frisk

Our partner organisations in Armenia

  • Frontline Youth Network
  • FemHouse
  • Women’s Fund Armenia
  • ‘Agate’ Rights Defense Center for Women with Disabilities
  • Women’s Center. Shushi
Photo: Lara Aharonian

A Velvet Revolution of change

In April 2018, massive street protests forced Armenia’s long-term president from power in a peaceful “Velvet Revolution.” So far, the revolution appears to have had positive consequences: one of the key priorities of the new interim government is strengthening women’s political participation. It is still early days for post-revolution Armenia, but both civil society and the general public have high hopes for a democratic future.

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News from our partners in Armenia

Maryam fled the war in Nagorny-Karabakh—now she’s helping other displaced women

They woke up to the sound of bombing. Just over a week later, Maryam fled from Nagorny-Karabakh with her daughter. Now, she’s supporting other displaced women and children in the aftermath of the war.

8 February 2021

”He abused me for years,” recounts Maral from Armenia

Across the world, one in three women is subjected to violence or sexual violence – often by their partner or a family member. Maral is one of the many women who have been abused by their husband. She receives support from one of our partner organisations in Armenia.

18 October 2012

Critical days for Armenia

In the past two weeks, Armenia has seen massive street protests that forced long-time president Serzh Sargsyan from power. Now, the opposition is rallying in hopes of getting its leader elected as interim prime minister. We talked to Lara Aharonian from our partner organisation Women’s Resource Center of Armenia, who is an active participant in the protests.

4 May 2018

New law to prevent gender-based violence in Armenia

After a decade of advocacy efforts, education and awareness-raising by the women’s movement, Armenia has adopted
its first stand-alone piece of domestic violence legislation. Kvinna till Kvinna’s partner, the Coalition to Stop Violence Against Women, coordinated the advocacy efforts.

9 October 2017

New law to prevent domestic violence in Armenia

After a decade of advocacy efforts, education and awareness-raising by the women’s movement, Armenia has adopted its first stand-alone law against domestic violence.

2 August 2017