Grassroots women’s voices should be heard and followed

 Armenian feminist will bring regional perspectives in CSW

Tomorrow in New York, at UN Head office  will launch  58th session of Commission on the Status of Women, the main topic of which is Millennium Development Goals for women and girls. The delegation of the Republic of Armenia will also participate in the session. The format of session activities is designed so that in parallel with UN  Plenary Sessions are hold  discussions and other events of NGOs , thus providing a direct link with high  level sessions .  Executive director of “Society without violence” NGO Anna Nikoghosyan will participate in the session as a representative of NGo from Armenia. She has provided WomenNet.am the main thesis of her speech.

…The Commission on Status of Women is an important international event and a unique chance to gather women’s rights advocates, human rights defenders, activists and feminists around the globe in one place and influence the international processes that affect the lives of millions of women and girls worldwide.

There are many people who think they cannot change what is happening with or around them. They think they cannot overcome or struggle with violence, pressure, stigma and discrimination in their home, community or country. At the same time there are wonderful feminists, activists, women’s rights defenders who think they can bring about a positive change in their community, but this changes are too small to be seen on regional or international level. They think they alone cannot influence the global processes happening in the world and reaching out such level is impossible – a vision in mind!

I am writing this article to tell the readers that this is not true. Every woman in this world has the capacity and potential to influence the decision makers, government, international organizations and others, make her voice heard and followed. The Commission on Status of Women is one of those unique chances to shift the global processes into desired directions due to well-designed advocacy strategy and, most importantly, belief that this is possible.

As the Executive Director of Society Without Violence NGO which promotes women’s rights and gender equality in Armenia and member of ASTRA Network, a group of 36 organizations from 19 countries of Central and Eastern Europe which advocates for sexual and reproductive health and rights I am going to represent my country and my region in the upcoming CSW in New York. I will also be delivering an oral statement emphasizing and highlighting the importance of Sexual and Reproductive Health and RIGHTS agenda’s inclusion into post 2015 processes.

The MDGs have made an important contribution in our region – reduced maternal mortality, national sexual and reproductive health policies put in place, established family planning and sexual and reproductive health clinics in several countries across the region, the Istanbul Convention’s ratification by 5 and signature by 6 countries of the region.

However, while substantial progress has been made, the findings of the operational review of the ICPD Beyond 2014 and the Post-2015 processes indicate that there is still much work to be done in Central and Eastern Europe.

Substantial growth of religious and neo-nationalist extremist groups troubles the region and poses a major challenge to the realization of human rights of women and girls. This has resulted in multiple, often successful attempts to further limit especially women’s reproductive and sexual rights.

The governments still oppose the universal access to legal and safe abortion, modern contraceptives and high quality sexual and reproductive health services. They do not introduce comprehensive sexuality education in schools and do not recognize the right of women to understand and control their own sexuality, fertility and bodily integrity.

The unintended pregnancies lead to education interruption, poverty, stigma and social exclusion as well as unsafe abortions that threaten the health and life of women. The lack of comprehensive sexuality education results in adolescent pregnancy rates, high level of sexual transmitted infections, sexual violence etc.

Gender based violence and domestic violence is still widely spread in the region, the survivors of violence lack access to critical services, information and gender education. There are countries where there is no law on domestic violence and Armenia is a bright example of how legislation fails to protect women and girls. Many women are dying because of absence of policies, laws and political will to put in place appropriate mechanisms to end these phenomena.

Taking into account the challenges that our regions currently faces I will be strongly advocating during CSW and calling upon the governments to ensure that Sexual and reproductive health and rights and gender based violence prevention are positioned at the heart of Millennium Development Goals and post-2015 framework as a high priority and critical pillar. At the same time I will be calling upon the governments to ensure quality, integrated, comprehensive sexuality education in schools, ensure access to safe and legal abortion and access to affordable methods of modern contraception, remove all legal and structural barriers to universal access to safe abortion, take appropriate steps to eradicate all forms of gender based violence and domestic violence and criminalize sexual violence,  establish gender-responsive institutions, laws and policies, strong governance and accountability systems for full implementation of CEDAW,  Millennium Declaration,  Beijing Platform for Action,  the Cairo Program of Action (ICPD)  and other international obligations and commitments concerning women’s human rights.

Being a women’s rights advocate is very hard in Armenia and in our region. You are misunderstood by your friends, family and general public. Your words and actions are misrepresented by extremist groups and aggravated through mass media. While trying to help women, you are sometimes perceived as a “threat” to your nation who “destroys” traditional values of the country.

However, I do believe that our fight for women’s basic rights and freedoms and gender equality will soon gain international recognition and appreciation. The Commission on the Status of Women with its range of important events is one of this opportunities. And thus, I am addressing my words now to all women and girls, advocates and women’s rights defenders – do not stop believing that your thoughts and concerns will be heard, speak up, raise your voice and continue your amazing struggle. There always be people who will hear and follow you, you just do not have to wait but demand your rights and gain public attention around your concerns. This is how it works.

Anna Nikoghosyan

Executive Director

Society Without Violence NGO, Armenia