Only four women were elected in parliament leading positions

As it is known, the first session started on January 14 in the newly elected National Assembly, on the agenda of which is the election of the leadership of the parliament, the formation of standing committees and the election of their presidents.

Ararat Mirzoyan (“My Step” alliance) was elected Speaker of the National Assembly and , and in positions of three vice speakers of the parliament – Alen Simonyan (My Step Alliance), Lena Nazaryan (“My Step” Alliance), Vahe Enfiajyan Prosperous Armenia Party).

Let us remind you that we have never had women parliament speaker in the modern parliament of Armenia, although there were women vice presidents. Only one female candidate was nominated for NA Speaker, in 2011 the Heritage faction nominated Larisa Alaverdyan’s candidacy.

Considering the composition of the National Assembly, it can be stated that, compared with the previous convocations, the number of women in the parliamentary leadership has not changed. Thus, one of the three parliamentary factions is female, Lilit Makunts is the leader of the “My Step” faction. Lena Nazaryan (“My Step”) is one of the three vice speakers of the National Assembly; only two women out of 11 standing committees are women. The NA Standing Committee on Financial-Credit and Budgetary Affairs will be led by Mane Tandilian (“Bright Armenia” faction) and Human Rights Protection and Public the NA Standing Committee will be headed by Naira Zohrabyan (Prosperous Armenia faction).

As regards Lena Nazaryan’s election, everything went smoothly, and she was elected deputy speaker of the National Assembly with 124 votes for and 3 against. During her nomination, many praise words were voiced to her.

Later, when the NA formed the Standing Committees, and the factions were presenting whom they were nominated for their post, it became clear that the “Bright Armenia” faction would be given one commission. The NA Standing Committee on Financial-Credit and Budgetary Affairs, headed by Mane Tandilian. In her speech she presented her vision of the Commission’s functions, emphasizing that they would try to counterbalance the executive through control.

Another woman will chair a standing committee, the NA Standing Committee on Human Rights and Public Affairs, which will preside over Naira Zohrabyan. Let’s remind that the NA Standing Committee on European Integration was presiding in the National Assembly of the last three convocations. By the way, referring to a number of human rights issues in her speech, she also spoke about domestic violence, noting that “domestic violence cannot be a mentality for her” …

Thus, the leadership of the parliament can be considered fully formed. Only four out of the 18 executive positions are women.

Full text in Armenian