A Woman President of Armenia: Is This Possible?

Political strategists, sociologists and other experts unanimously agree that women’s participation in the upcoming presidential elections campaign would be highly desirable, however there are almost no chances for victory.

Over the last 20 years sinceArmenia’s independence, no woman has been nominated for country’s presidency. Armenian women are very careful in their political ambitions and so far only Lyudmila Harutyunyan, Professor, Doctor of Sciences, announced an intention to run in presidential elections of 1998. However, not being nominated, she retreating from her stance without any explanation during candidacy registration. Most probably she was not content with the principle of ‘participation is more important than victory’. Many other women also have the same opinion. These women are no less educated and intellectual, have no less political or professional experience than men and even significantly exceed those men in terms of their qualifications and abilities.

The presidential elections of 2013 are no exception in this regard; there will not be a lack of people willing to run the country. Men will naturally be the champions in this matter. However, this time names of women are also seen in the list of potential candidates for the president’s post. This is a small step in the right direction.

Currently, are three women candidates for the RoA president’s post in circulation: Anush Sedrakyan, Vice President of “Free Democrats” political party, Narine Mkrtchyan, President of National Press Club and Silva Hambardzumyan, a businesswoman who became known to the public after the notorious incident in “Marriott – Armenia” hotel between Surik Khachatryan, Syunik Region Governor and herself…

We will still witness who among these women will realize her intentions, still decision making for these women remains a rather tough process considering the society’s “presumptive mistrust” and strict inclination towards women politicians. Meanwhile, men are not being criticized for their gender identity, even when they possess insufficient political capital or possess over ambitious presidential pretensions; for women candidates the picture is not so simple.  As a rule, women at all levels of power bear responsibility not only for themselves but for all females.

What kind of public opinion exists inArmeniaabout having a woman president? Almost all public polls on this issue conducted in recent years show that not more than 30% of respondents believe it is possible to elect a woman as president ofArmenia. Other respondents consider it impossible generally for two reasons: First, society is not ready for such a development, and second, women themselves are not ready for the president’s post and do not have sufficient political support. In terms of political experience, it should be mentioned that this value would be more than appropriate for numerous men, who have political ambitions. As to whether society is ready or not for that, it should be said the public opinion does tend to change with time.

In 1936, for example, when J. Gallup first conducted a survey in theUSAon “will people vote for a woman candidate for the president if she has the right qualifications?”, 65% of the respondents answered ‘No’. A vast majority of Americans – 80 – 90%, including men announced in 2008 that they were ready to support a woman candidate running for the president’s post. It’s important that nowadays that most of theUSpopulation thinks that their country can be governed by a woman president and only 7% of population, according to surveys, is convinced that a woman will never become a president.

Within the last ten years the idea of a “woman as a country president” has stopped being bizarre not only in theUSA. InArmenia, however, by any measuring stick, this shift in public opinion has occurred too slow. If a few years ago a woman president was realistic for only 25% of respondents, the survey in 2011 showed that holders of this opinion constituted 30%. At the same time most respondents found it difficult to name several women who could be potential candidates for presidency. The reason for this is that women are underrepresented in all positions of influence and as a consequence lack exposure and publicity. Armenia will continue to wait for women to enjoy equal levels of opportunity and representation throughout society.