The issue of women’s participation cannot be secondary…

Today, the National Assembly convened parliamentary hearings with the participation of the public sector and non-parliamentary political forces to discuss the draft of the new Electoral Code. Unlike the previous debate, which took place on the same issue a few days ago with members of the parliamentary factions, this time a number of speakers referred to the question of increasing the representation of women in elected bodies, along with other issues. The question was raised as questions and answers, and the exchange of ideas.

WomenNet.am – will refer to more details during the hearings. Before that, we would like to mention that an opinion was expressed that  the women’s participation has  secondary importance and it can easily be solved if we have fair elections in our country … This view is expressed not for the first time during the discussion of the Electoral Code. Moreover, even some defenders are expressing similar positions.

This time ANC member Aram Manukyan said it today, urging the public sector to join the requirements submitted by the opposition forces against electoral fraud and not to waste any of its forces on other “small” issues, including women’s participation in conflict resolution.

“Our society is like a family, where the mother is missing … 24.03.2016

Episodes parliamentary hearings

“The situation prevailing in our society reminds me of a family in which the mother is absent. As a result, we  havea large apartment, which was dirty, cleaned at least once a month, bigger and more resourceful children the family snatch bread from smaller ones and, saying in folkloric  language, they are fat and happy, while others who are weaker, wandering in the world …”, – such a statement was made by Jasmena Ghevondyan, President of “Potential” NGO, participant of parliamentary hearings on the draft of a new electoral code, hold in the National Assembly on March 22, offering parties to establish a 50/50 proportion of women and men in the electoral lists.

It should be noted that this speech was not the only one on the issue of women’s participation in electoral processes. During the parliamentary hearings this topic touched upon by several speakers.

“All proposals will be submitted in a written form” – This was said almost all, more than four dozen speakers. Summing up the parliamentary hearings, Mr. Davit Harutyunyan expressed gratitude to all the stakeholders for the proposals and said that they are ready to discuss them again.

Full text in Armenian