Naira Zohrabyan: “”We will definitely protect that clause stipulating the proportion of 30/70 will be in force from 2017.”

The leader of Prosperous Armenia” faction of the National Assembly in an interview with WomenNet.am noted that she has received and will definitely support the proposal of the Gender Theme Group, to enter into the force 30 quota/ fixed in the Electoral Code/ from 2017. According to her, the party will support this proposal.

“It is known that the discussions on the Electoral Code are still going on with the government, although legislation has already been adopted, but we keep them in order to reach a general consensus on several issues. And I not only do not rule, but I am sure that in September some additions and changes to the Code will be made, as it seems to be inherent in the consensus between the opposition and the government” she said, noting that, among other things to raise the framework of this process PAP will insist that a provision enshrining the 30/70 gender balance on party lists enter into force not in 2022, as currently adopted, but the date of 2017.

At the same time she noted that supporting this proposal, she stucks to her previously expressed opinion.

“I remain committed to the principle that the most important thing for us is professionalism. I absolutely do not want to hurt any woman working in parliament today, especially, since, I can surely say, they are all much more prepared than many men working in the parliament. But to be frank, not in all cases, we can say that a woman is a professional politician, parliamentarian. Professionalism for me in the first place and only then, gender balance”,- said the party leader.

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