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‘Male Society’ and ‘Feminist Things’: Debate Ahead of International Women’s Day

The meaning of the struggle for women’s rights has been removed from the contents of the March 8 (International Women’s Day) “holiday.” March 8, whether intentionally or not, has lost its meaning, said dramaturge Karine Khodikyan at a press conference in Yerevan today.

Armine Ohanyan, chief editor of local Armenian daily Hraparak, noted regretfully that subjects related to women are only touched upon on holidays: March 8 and April 7 (“Beauty and Motherhood Day”), for instance.

“I say that this is male society: women here are regarded as a system that educates and breeds generations. There is a national attitude toward women. Men look at [women] with scorn and quite often treat women with that same disdain,” she said.

Singer Shushan Petrosyan, speaking about the role and significance of women in Armenian society, stressed the importance of women having a strong personality.

“A woman can keep the female ‘type’ and go forward in this or that arena if she can demonstrate a strong personality, not pompous feministic things, I see something morbid in that,” she said.

Khotdikyan, in turn, said in order for there to be a change of attitude towards women, it is necessary for the state to be “normal.”

“If the state and society can ensure proper education and work for citizens regardless of gender identity, then such problems will disappear, the situation will change,” she said.

Photo: italia.ru.it