Epress.am News from Armenia
The seven NGOs that comprise the Coalition to Stop Violence Against Women in Armenia today summed up their activities within the framework of the 16 Days of Activism to End Gender Violence campaign that began on Nov. 25.
The campaign to adopt a domestic violence law in Armenia was the focus of this year's 16 Days campaign. The RA Ministry of Justice rejected the draft law and now the Coalition's lawyers are working on amendments to make the law more palatable for lawmakers.
The law was refused because it was considered unconstitutional, said Society Without Violence NGO representative Anush Khachatryan. According to this claim, if a court removes an abuser from his home, it is a violation of his right to property. The Coalition, however, will continue to push for adoption of the law.
During the press conference, Khachatryan presented statistics on violence against women. In 2013, Society Without Violence alone recorded 16 cases of domestic violence, 6 of which ended in the woman's death, while 8 were cases of financial abuse. Women's Rights Center president Susanna Vardanyan said her organization received 1,344 calls and uncovered 473 cases of physical abuse and 261 cases of psychological abuse.
Hasmik Gevorgyan of the Women's Support Center NGO spoke about the case of Hasmik Khachatryan, 27, who was abused by her husband for 9 years. Gevorgyan pointed out if the domestic violence law was adopted, the woman could live in a temporary shelter and be better protected.
A journalist asked Hasmik Khachatryan (who was present at the press conference) what she did that her husband beat her for years. In response, the NGO representative said that the question is inappropriate: "The problem cannot be approached by trying to blame the woman."