Elena Danielyan: “Any case becomes more effective when a man’s opinion is added to the woman’s craving”

“Stereotypes are gradually being broken and positive changes are observed in women’s socio-political life,” Elena Danielyan, who is in the 4th place of the Democratic Way party’s pre-electoral list during Yerevan City Council elections, told WomenNet.am.

Elena Danielyan is an economist, graduated from the Armenian State University of Economics. She has worked in ProCredit, Ineco, Ardshin and Armeconombank, now a treasurer of Athenk LLC.

– Is it your first step in politics to run for Yerevan Council of Elders elections?

– Yes, we can say that it is the first serious step. We are all born free and have equal rights and responsibilities, including choosing and being elected. In the past, there were a number of social, spiritual and cultural factors that hindered women’s participation in politics that were rooted in the mindset of the Armenian society. But at present I see a positive change in those stereotypes. The striking example of this is our party, which provides 37% of women’s participation in their lists instead of 75/25.

– What is the main message of you and your team to the residents of Yerevan?

– Everyone should have a sense of responsibility, readiness and faith in his own strength and victory. Our strength is in unity. Yerevan is me, you, we are. We say that we have to clean the city first and we must begin cleaning ourselves one Saturday every month and not once in a formal manner once or twice a year. We have to keep our capital of the heart and our place clean. Any problem can be solved by united and consolidated forces.

– What are the main issues that will be in your focus if elected to council?

– We will focus on garbage removal, water supply and drainage, landscaping, construction of new parks, urban transport, and capital repair of elevators, polyclinics, hospitals and staffing. But for all this, we must be consolidated and together with relevant bodies we can achieve these goals. For example, according to our program, we offer to build garbage processing plants with investment, carry out asphalt works, solve urban lighting issue through energy-saving diode lamps, build public toilets in all parks, free construction of buildings and sidewalks with special conditions adapted for the disabled provide emergency breakthroughs in buildings and make any urban planning decisions exclusively guided by the interests of citizens citing.

– In your opinion, how much will women’s involvement in politics contribute to the solution of problems in the country?

– Women have their own contribution to social life, they have their own interests, they are caring, attentive, and can be involved in solving several issues at once. As the elders say, nature tells the woman to be beautiful, if she can, be wise, if she wants to, but she should be careful. Life shows that any business becomes more effective when a woman’s conscience is added, and fails when a woman’s skill is underestimated.

– By the way, it is thanks to women that such issues as care for children and the elderly, family planning, and violence against women, and the economic situation of women have been raised. In general, work evaluation, salary, promotion or advancement is performed according to our sexuality and not according to the knowledge base or qualitative characteristics. I think we need to pay attention to these issues too.

-What do you want to see in the capital?

– Maybe all of us have a desire to live in clean, greenery, bright, and, most importantly, in a safe city with equal rights.