“Use the chair with grace and tenderness.” sexism in parliament

The past week marked the debate between the oldest members of the parliament, RPA faction member Khosrov Harutyunyan and Naira Zohrabyan, a member of the Tsarukyan faction, which was marked by sexist comments…

The problem began after Khosrov Harutyunyan made a comment from his place on the deputy chairman of the National Assembly Mikayel Melkumyan and his colleague Naira Zohrabyan stated that no one can threaten and called Harutyunyan and RPA  not to comment from sitting place. “I urge different representatives of the parliamentary majority to avoid threats. It is a bit difficult to threaten us. I think you should have already understood it long time ago, “Naira Zohrabyan said.

Two days later Khosrov Harutyunyan, in his turn, touched upon the issue.

“A few days ago, I heard expression  from Mrs. Zohrabyan, which was expressed in the style of the neighborhood, which I would never ignore in any case. But I assure you that my upbringing will not allow me not to take into account that you are a woman, so try to use this chair with delicacy of woman”, –  urged Harutyunyan.from the same tribune.

It should be noted that the most common way to neutralize female opponents in the political field is to remind them that they are women. It often succeeds not only in completing the lack of counterfeit, but also moving the plane to a political dispute. The aim of sexism is to define the rules of “tolerable” behavior in women’s political field and thus to curb their activity.

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