“Women in Electoral Processes: Summarizing 2017”

The issues of women’s participation in politics were the key of the event “Women in Electoral Processes: Summarizing 2017” held on December 18^th. The theme is more than urgent in the context of the results of this year’s Parliamentary, Yerevan Council of Elderly and Local Self-Government elections.

It should be noted that the event was dedicated to the finalization of the program “Promoting Women’s Political Participation in Armenia” which was implemented in collaboration with the OxYGen Youth and Women’s Rights Foundation, WomenNet.am website and the “Family Academy” NGO, with the financial support of the Swedish government.

In her welcoming speech addressed to the event, Oxfam Armenia Board Chairperson Margarita Hakobyan highlighted the role of the project at raising awareness and self-awareness on different levels, protecting their rights and becoming seriously involved in the political arena. Touching upon the “Women’s Agenda” prepared for the upcoming parliamentary elections, Hakobyan mentioned that it continues to be in force since it is based on facts and includes all the social, economic, and political issues facing women during their activities.

A brief overview of the Swedish women’s involvement in politics in Sweden was represented by Martin Fredrickson, Charge d ‘Affaires of Sweden in Yerevan. He noted that the results recorded in Armenia can be considered successful. According to him, in Sweden in 1921 women were eligible to vote, but only in 1985 they managed to secure 19% participation in the parliament. M. Fredrixson also added that women’s involvement in the Armenian Parliament is a significant step toward equality.

Full text in Armenian