Five years later: why does not the law on gender equality work?

In 2013 the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia adopted the RA Law on Equal Rights and Equal Opportunities for Women and Men, which is an important document in terms of providing a legal basis for the fight against gender-based discrimination. Nevertheless, five years after the adoption of the law, gender discrimination, which was first settled by this law, remains one of the problematic issues in our society. Moreover, research shows that the law does not work, practically it is not practiced, there are almost no precedents in its use in judicial practice.

Today Coalition to Stop Violence Against Women represented a study on the RA Law on Equal Rights and Equal Opportunities for Women and Men, revealing the legal gaps in the law and the application of its provisions. Research was conducted by Narine Alexanyan/ a candidate of law sciences, associated professor/.  Anna Nikoghosyan, a representative of the Coalition to Stop Violence Against Women, said that the coalition’s response to this law was not accidental; the problem is that we will not achieve tangible results in the prevention of violence against women until the discrimination and unequal treatment of women disappear.

The survey was conducted on a case-by-case basis and the provisions of the law were analyzed as a result of comparison with international commitments, international standards and best practices.

The author of the study, Narine Alexanyan, noted that both women and men are discriminated against as a result of legal inadequate regulations. “It is not enough to declare gender equality justified, we must also have effective sanctions in order to fully fight discrimination, whereas in cases of gender discrimination, sanctions are not defined in the RA legislation,” said the expert.

Full text in Armenian