Parliamentary Group on Women’s Issues to be Established in Armenia

The “From Women Politicians to Women Politicians” training manual will be launched at 4 pm on Feb. 16 in the Yerevan State University (YSU) library lobby, during which time British Ambassador to Armenia Charles Lonsdale, Director of the British Council Armenian office  Arevik Saribekyan and Republican Party of Armenia MP Karine Ajemyan will make speeches.

With the aim of increasing the effectiveness of women in politics, as well as changing the public perception about female leadership, the British Council implemented the two-year project financed by the British Embassy in Yerevan called Wo/Men in Politics in 2008. Twenty women from 5 parliamentary and 5 non-parliamentary political parties participated in the skills development training programs, as well as study visits abroad. While visiting the parliaments of England, Scotland and Wales, program participants became familiar with the United Kingdom’s system of government and equal opportunities policy, as well as studying programs aimed at gender equality.

As a result of the Wo/Men in Politics project, it was decided to establish a parliamentary group in Armenia focusing on women’s issues. The activities of this group will make it possible to disseminate equal opportunities policy in Armenia’s National Assembly and to ensure women’s active involvement in parliament.

The training manual is aimed at increasing the skills of emerging female workers in the political arena. The information and advice presented in the book include experience from Armenia and the UK.

The British Council plans to provide the manual to public universities and libraries in Armenia.