Epress.am News from Armenia
"Saying the word 'gender' today in [Armenian] society is equivalent to cursing, so in what context are you presenting this program?" asked Open Society Foundations representative Lilit Nazaryan at a roundtable in Yerevan today discussing a recommendation package on integrating the topic of gender in social science textbooks.
The recommendation package prepared by Society Without Violence on the analysis and views of 140 experts is the third phase of a two-year program that studied, analyzed, and reviewed the content and educational methods of social science textbooks from the 2012–2013 academic year for grades 8–12, which were followed by roundtable discussions in Artik, Shirak, Vanadzor, Gavar, Kapan, Ijevan, and Yerevan.
The analysis showed that no social science textbook includes information about gender (that is, no explanation of the terms gender, gender equality, gender-based discrimination, gender-based stereotypes, for instance). In fact, the analysis found several examples of gender discrimination, such as the use of stereotypes in defining the basic needs of men and women in a marriage. But some participants of today's roundtable in Yerevan's Congress Hotel were concerned that such a program is unrealistic in light of today's political climate, especially after the uproar following a proposed gender equality law.
"Five years ago this program might have made sense. But now, today, on April 15, 2014 — there is nothing in here [i.e. the recommendation package] about the situation today. You haven't addressed Armenia at all. In what society, what country, what context are you examining this? With what hope are you presenting these recommendations?" Nazaryan asked, exasperated.
To this, Anna Nikoghosyan, Executive Director of conference organizer Society Without Violence NGO, said that social science is an important school subject, as it shapes future citizens and members of society.
Another conference participant, a representative from UNDP, didn't agree with the Open Society Foundations representative, arguing that together, they have to understand the issue and how they can address it together. In a situation where the word "gender" can cause such an uproar means there is work to be done. In the UNDP representative's opinion, the starting point of this work is the decision women and families make whether to abort or keep female fetuses. As reported earlier, sex-selective abortion is a serious problem in Armenia.
A representative from the RA Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, Armenuhi Tanashyan, didn't believe there was a need for a separate topic in school on gender: "It's like we're telling the children, separate from everything, there exists gender. It lives alone on an island." Tanashyan felt it was important to educate the teachers.
In fact, Society Without Violence representatives pointed out that among the recommendations are organizing public awareness raising events such as seminars and roundtables for not only students, but also parents, community representatives, and educators.
The roundtable concluded relative peacefully despite an attempt by Christians Against People's Numeration NGO President Khachik Stamboltsyan to disrupt the conference at the start.
"It's shameful, you're Armenian women," he shouted to conference organizers, who blocked his entry into the conference hall. Security guards arrived shortly after and escorted him away from the conference hall, but not before former Member of Parliament,Yerevan Council of Aldermen member Anahit Bakhshyan, who was attending the conference, intervened and urged conference organizers to allow him in.
"I don't agree with Stamboltsyan, but there is some truth to what he said. He should have had the right to express his views and for us to hear them. We are obliged to listen to him, particularly since this program promotes tolerance and equality and opposes discrimination," she added later, during the question and answer period.
Conference organizers, however, said this is not the first time Stamboltsyan has attempted to disrupt their events, and they would gladly let him in to express his views if he would sit quietly and allow others to speak. However, they said, he blatantly said that his goal is to disrupt the conference.