Mariam Manukyan: “Women’s problems have always been on my agenda”

Our interlocutor is Mariam Manukyan, the founder and CEO of GMG Media Group, the president of the International Business Relations Council, who is on the second place on the list of newly established Christian-People’s Revival Party.

Mariam Manukyan has two professions: journalist and director, she has worked in two specialties, and started her career at H2 TV, conducting “Old and New Demand” program. Then she continued her activity with other Armenian TV companies and one of the programs, to connect with the business community and to see and understand their problems from within. As a result, the idea of ​​establishing “International Business Relations Council” was born which is aimed at protecting the interests of businessmen and supporting them.

– Businesses have a variety of issues, such as selling goods, legal advice, contacts with state agencies, and so on. Six years ago, we set up a council, which included almost all business companies in Armenia, working with them and creating opportunities for them to go to the international market, to present Armenian companies, their products and services.

Why are women less represented in business?

– Business is really a complex field, and not all women have the freedom to be fully involved. Of course, there are many women entrepreneurs in Armenia, who have achieved great success, are well-known in the international arena, but I think that Armenian women are always a little hindered by the fact that they are not free. Our society is very stereotypical and no matter how much we talk about promoting the role of a woman in the society, which I see and appreciate, but still something hinders women to move forward and to be fully free.

– And are you ready to raise questions about women’s rights and interests?

 – In fact, these issues also concern women, because if we do not come to justice, then any sphere will go from medicine to business. Business should have legal equality; women and men should be equitable. The issue of domestic violence is a very important and painful one for me, and the state should take every possible measure to prevent this vicious phenomenon from our daily routine.