March 8th marks the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding with the RA National Assembly

On March 8^th, representatives of the National Assembly and NGOs dealing with Women’s Issues signed a Memorandum of Understanding in the National Assembly Hall.

The purpose of the Memorandum of Understanding is to create a platform for cooperation between the legislative power of the Republic of Armenia and civil society to combine efforts to ensure real equality of rights and opportunities for women and men.

The signing took place during the event titled “Civil Society – National Platform for Cooperation, Equal Rights and Equal Opportunities for Women and Men”, organized by the National Assembly of Armenia and “OxYGen” Foundation. The event was attended by women deputies from all NA factions, representatives of international and local public organizations, mass media, experts in the field.

The welcome speech was made by the Vice-Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia Lena Nazaryan, the Executive Director of the OxYGeN Foundation Margarita Hakobyan, the second Vice-Speaker of the Swedish Parliament Lottta Johnson Fornarve and Ambassador of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Judith Margaret Farnworth. NA MPs and representatives of NGOs dealing with women’s issues made speeches…

The speakers touched upon the need for civil society – National Assembly cooperation, equal rights and opportunities for women and men. They talked about the inequality between women and men in the labor market, presented the results of research and statistical data in the field. The importance of the steps to change the mindset of the society, the overcoming of caretakers and raising the self-esteem of women were highlighted. The involvement of women in different spheres was not only seen from the perspective of women’s development, but also as a guarantee of the state’s development. They spoke about the importance of cooperation between civil society and state institutions, which is a prerequisite for effective public administration. The speakers welcomed and highlighted the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding.

“The role of women in politics. Swedish Experience Presentation”, Lotta Jones Fornarre presented ways to promote gender equality in her country. She said that the number of women in the Swedish Parliament has increased to 46 per cent.

At the end of the meeting the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia Lena Nazaryan and the Executive Director of the OxYGeN Foundation Margarita Hakobyan signed the Memorandum of Understanding. Representatives of 22 non-governmental organizations and coalitions, who are involved in the initiative, have also signed their signatures to protect women’s rights.

The text of the memorandum and the list of signatures here.

The event was conducted within the program  “Equal. Promoting Women’s Political Participation at the National Level “with the financial support of the Swedish Government. The project is being implemented by OxYGen Foundation in cooperation with ProMedia-Gender NGO.

Live broadcast of event by Factor.am.