Marchers in Yerevan protest domestic violence

The Women’s Resource Center mobilizes the community

Published: Friday November 27, 2009

A protest march organized by the Women's Resource Center of Yerevan on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

Yerevan - On November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, the Women's Resource Center in Yerevan mobilized community members and other NGOs to protest gender violence. The events planned for November 25 marked the beginning of 16 days of activism to end violence against women and girls. The events will include an exhibition and film screening at Cinema Moscow in December.

This is the fourth year that the Women's Resource Center has joined organizations around the world in organizing events on November 25 to raise awareness about the issue of gender violence.

According to the United Nations Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women (1993), "violence against women" means any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual, or psychological harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion, or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or private life.

Violence against women is not limited to physical violence; it can include, for example, sexual and psychological violence, harassment, and emotional abuse. Gender-based violence can occur in intimate relationships, in the home, in the community, or in the workplace.

Violence against women is a widespread human rights abuse worldwide and domestic violence has been shown to be a serious issue in every country in which it has been studied. Armenia is no exception: Local surveys have found high rates of domestic violence in Armenia, in some cases resulting in serious injury or even death.

At this time, there are few remedies or support systems available for women in Armenia who experience violence.

Gender violence is connected to other issues of gender inequality, such as women's limited access to social, political, and economic power. As a signatory member of the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, Armenia has committed to promoting equality and fostering women's rights.

The Women's Resource Center hopes that by denouncing violence against women and changing gender stereotypes and expectations in our culture, we can work to create a society in which all people are equal and have the same basic human rights, including the right to live free from violence or abuse.

The protest began at the offices of the Women's Resource Center and ended at Cinema Moscow where there was a candle lighting ceremony.

www.womenofarmenia.org