“Let us show what matriarchy is capable of”.

Two of cooperatives in the villages of Yeghegis and Hermon established in the framework of the Oxfam’s “Sustainable livelihoods” project in the 5 villages of Vayots Dzor region are supervised by women.

Hermon is the poorest community of the Region settled by the refugees.

Naira Mnatsakanyan has been living for 15 years in Hermon. Although she is a teacher, she has been a bee keeper and gardener for over 10 years.

Naira Mnatsakanyan assumed the position of president of the agricultural cooperative at the nomination of her fellow villagers. She has a lot of experience in agriculture. Due to her diligence and initiative she can unite and lead people.

“The members of our cooperative are only women and this fact empowers us to do more and do it better. We should prove what matriarchy is capable of” she jokes.
Our cooperative is just one year old and during that time lots of achievements were recorded. Both the members and villagers are very enthusiastic about it. Refugee women members of the cooperative, apart from securing jobs and helping raise the standard of living of their families, have contributed greatly to the development of the community by growing more lively and resistant non-traditional vegetables such as broccoli, kohlrabi, Brussels sprouts, “cherry” tomatoes and chili peppers.

“Hermon, being a border village resettled with refugees seems to have been overlooked by the state; whereas here, more than any other region, we feel the need for assistance and support. I am proud that I could contribute to the establishment of this agricultural cooperative”, says Naira Mnatsakanyan meanwhile emphasizing that their cooperative is the guarantee of welfare in the whole community.

Ninel Hovhannisyan