“The enlargement process has complicated the struggle for women …”

Over the years, in Armenia policies have been implemented  both at the state level and civil society, which aims to increase the number of women in local self-governing bodies and political processes. But today, based on a few examples of consolidation, it can be argued that as a result of the enlargement of communities, serious recession has been reported in terms of representation of women.

As a result of the elections held on October 2 in 6 enlarged communities – in Amasia, Ashotsk, Arpi, Vayk, Jermuk, Zaritap, 47 communities were united. The representation of women in the elected council of elders was reduced three times, before the enlargement  women made 15% in the municipal council of 51 communities, and 5% after the enlargement. Long-term community leader Aghunik Ghazryan lost his fight for the post of head of the Amasia community last autumn and as she competed with the head of the winning community,  today she has nothing to do with Aregnadem and is working 20 km away from Aregnadem asthe secretary of Arpi community led by her for 11 years. 

In conversation with WomenNet, she mentioned that perhaps they would not like to work with her because almost all the village mayors, who undergone that enlargement, remained in the communities as an authorized representative, except for her and the Voghji community leader. Though his experience would be more appropriate in that community, she says that her work is important and he does an important job, so she does not worry about passing 20 kilometers per day.

Full text in Armenian