Natalia Vutova: More women should be hold state positions

At the event marking the project’s launch, Head of the Council of Europe Office in Yerevan Natalia Vutova said the project aims to strengthen the capacities of the main stakeholders, raise society’s awareness, and ensure an exchange of best experience on electoral issues among Eastern Partnership states.

“The program aims to encourage participation of more voters in elections. We pay attention to that component. According to data of Statistical service, there are 18-24 thousand young voters in Armenia who make up about 15% of 340 thousand voters. This year there will be 40 thousand new voters, that is, their number will exceed 70 thousand in 2017. The program’s purpose to encourage their active participation in elections,” he said.

Vutova also spoke about another important problem: women’s involvement in state positions. Women in Armenia make up 54% of the voters.  Of the 18 Armenian ministers, three are female. Ten of the 65 members of Yerevan city council are women, and there are no women among ten regional governors of Armenia.

“The second aim of the project is to promote women’s participation in elections as voters and candidates,” she said.

She stressed the importance of civil society in free and fair elections. “Authorities should cooperate with civil society, and they should view each other as partners, not enemies. The program aims to promote that cooperation”.