Is the demand for proper inclusion of women in the party leadership “premature”? heated discussion in the parliament

The draft amendments to the RA Constitutional Law “On Parties”, which has been discussed in the National Assembly since November 8, contain an important provision aimed at increasing the role and influence of women in parties. In particular, one of the amendments proposed by the bill stipulates that the number of representatives of each sex in the permanent governing body of parties should not exceed 60%. As the course of the discussions showed, the proposed settlement is met with resistance, as the parliamentary system of government assumes that it is primarily the parties that are responsible for ensuring women’s political progress.

The draft law on making amendments and additions to the Constitutional Law on Parties and the main speaker of the attached legislative package Hamazasp Danielyan noted that the main goal of the package authored by the “My Step” faction is to have a healthier political field and a party system where parties will be less ideological, less person-centered, more financially transparent and accountable. According to her, the changes made will contribute to the establishment of intra-party democracy, one of the important indicators of which is the involvement of women.

Co-rapporteur Deputy Minister of Justice Kristine Grigoryan noted in this regard that the demand for equal gender representation in the governing bodies of the party could be a stimulus for women’s political participation, even compared to countries with highly developed political systems, this is a rather high bar.

In the opinion of NA Deputy Speaker Lena Nazaryan, the fact that the bill stipulates that the number of representatives of each sex in the permanent governing body of parties should not exceed 60% is a very strong proposal from the point of view of expanding women’s political participation.

“Bright Armenia” faction MP Armen Yeghiazaryan considers the proposal on the use of quotas in the governing bodies of the parties untimely.

– Isn’t it premature at the moment to increase the number of women in the governing councils of the parties, as we already have such a problem, especially in the regional structures, I think we should leave this number the same, because we can lead it to ensuring the involvement of fictitious women. I think there should be a normal process for all this. I am not against the involvement of women at all, but I think that at the moment such an increase in the quota for women is premature,” he said.

It should be reminded that the elaboration of the package was initiated in 2019, for that purpose a working group was set up, the representatives of all the parliamentary factions took part in it. The group cooperated with relevant state bodies, non-governmental organizations, experts, parliamentary hearings were held, meetings were held in the regions of the republic, as well as with some extra-parliamentary forces. The package was also sent to the OSCE / ODIHR Venice Commission for examination, after which some changes were made. The package was put into circulation in September, but was not discussed due to the war. The bill proposes to make a number of key changes aimed at reviewing the mechanism of financing parties, making parties more independent from business, establishing internal democracy within parties, increasing the involvement of young people and women, and increasing their role in parties.

P.S. On December 10, the parliament passed the draft law on making amendments and additions to the Constitutional Law “On Parties” and the attached legislative package in the first reading by 99 votes to one.

Full text in Armenian