Women in power: unmet expectations in numbers

A few days after the change of power, all the members of the Armenian government became known, and the new politicians who came to the NA instead of the deputies, who left the legislature, became known. And although new appointments are not yet completed in different government structures, it should be stated that the expectations formed as a result of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian’s statement that women will be more involved in political life have not been justified …

In fact, it is not the first time in history that women, becoming an active participant in political struggle, are further excluded from participating in the exercise of power gained by the same struggle. One of the classic examples, 1789 The Declaration of Human and Citizenship, adopted as a result of the French Revolution, did not really refer to women and by declaring equality, did not  mean gender equality. That was the reason for the publication of the unofficial “Declaration of the Woman and Citizen,” published by Olympia de Gauge in 1791. However, only in 1946, the Constitution of the Fourth Republic of France granted women and men equal rights …

In Armenia this can be illustrated in the 1990s when the sharp emission of women took place as a result of the 1988 struggle, although women were an active participant in the struggle for independence. The problem of incomplete involvement of women in the new government formed as a result of the revolution of “Love and Solidarity” was not silenced as it used to be before. Concerns and bewilderment were voiced at the press and on social networks at once, and a large number of publications have appeared that the new government does not differ from the previous one.

By the way, before information about appointments was officially announced the rumors had been circulated that Lena Nazaryan from the “Yelq” faction of the National Assembly would be appointed Minister of Environmental Protection. On the day before the appointment of Erik Grigoryan to the post of Minister of Environmental Protection, at about midnight, Nazaryan announced on her Facebook page that she is not going to work in the government.

Another active member of the “Civil Treaty” Zaruhi Batoyan, also spoke about a post in the executive body, according to which she was to be appointed Minister of Labor and Social Affairs. On May 12^th, she  published the status on her Facebook  page reminding Nazaryan’s post.

Appointments are still in progress, and at present, only 5 of the 51 Deputy Ministers are women. The disturbing circumstance of expanding the number of women has been fitting for a number of years in a perpetual argument, according to which there are no worthy women in senior positions … However, in the case of being more sincere, we must admit that we just do not want to see women among the worthy ones …

As it is known, the composition of governors will also be completely changed, however, there are no women names in these positions among potential candidates.

Full text in Armenian