Feminist Safe Space
During the months of August-December of 2023, the feminist safe space has hosted multiple events and provided services at the Women’s Resource Center to over 200 individuals.
On September 1֊3, we held our second annual Women’s Rights Training, to which we had 81 applicants from whom 29 were chosen to participate. After the 3 day training, participants were given the opportunity to submit community development projects based on one or two of the 6 topics discussed, which were: Human Rights, Sexual and Reproductive Health and Right, Gender, Gender-based Violence, Feminism, and Women Peace Security. 4 initiatives were chosen and implemented by the participants.
The projects were the following:
- “A step towards equal rights”- where 20 kids and 20 parents in Bavra village, were guided to explore gender equality and human rights through forum theater and a hiking excursion.
- “The role of the parent”- Two discussion sessions were organized with women from different backgrounds living around Ararat region to normalize speaking out about Sexual and Reproductive Health and Right.
- “Promoting the Protection of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights of Women Offenders”- Research was done to raise awareness among the public and responsible officials about the importance of protecting the sexual and reproductive health and rights of women who have committed a crime.
- “Choosing a profession without gender stereotypes”- To teach students in 1st to 3rd grade about gender stereotypes and choosing a profession through flashcards.
On September 22nd, we launched our first solidarity with Artsakh healing talks/gathering. The purpose was to give people a safe space to be among like minded people, to share their worries, feelings and thoughts on how to cope with the stressful times of the Artsakh blockade, war and displacement. Since then we have done gatherings each Thursday of every week, where people have come together to talk and create something at the same time, such as clay pots and figurines, zines, paintings, and macrame plant holders. We will continue these gatherings as they are shown to be an effective support system.
To raise awareness on Gender-based violence during the 16 Days of Activism, we organized an event on November 28th titled “Activism in times of crises” for the public and invited 3 community activists from different fields to share their experiences, motivations and challenges with people who are also passionate about bringing change in their communities. The following activists were: Gayane Hambardzumyan, who carries out essential work for the rights of displaced women from Artsakh, Nare Hovhannisyan, who strongly advocates and gives a voice to women offenders under probation, and Armi Mkrtchyan, a volunteer at WRC sharing their experiences of activism in various forms and organizations.
Our work in shelters
After Azerbaijan’s military aggression in Nagorno-Karabakh on September 19, around 100,000 Artsakh residents were forcibly displaced from their birthplace, taking refuge in Armenia. Immediately after the arrival of Artsakh citizens, our organization was at the forefront. We conducted a gender-sensitive needs assessment, as well as provided humanitarian assistance to around 250 forcibly displaced women and girls. Currently, we support women living in 4 shelters provided by the state to Artsakh citizens, as well as women living in other vulnerable communities in Ararat, Armavir and Kotayk marzes (regions).
Since November, the free medical service for women’s health has been launched, to which women and girls aged 18-60 can apply.
You can contact the hotline if you have the following health issues:
✅Testing and treatment of sexually transmitted infections (including HIV),
✅Counseling on abortion,
✅ Free medical examinations in cases of sexual violence.
Women’s Rights Advocacy
Before the Yerevan City Council elections, on September 12, a meeting with council candidates was held at the Women’s Resource Center, the purpose of which was to ask the council candidates questions about the provisions related to women’s rights in their pre-election programs with our volunteers, supporters and other community representatives. The participants asked their questions to the candidates, got acquainted with the programs of the parties, which helped to make a more informed decision before the elections.
Our team prepared 4 briefing reports to inform our international partners about the situation regarding the impact of Azerbaijan’s blockade of the Lachin Corridor since December 2022, the humanitarian disaster and the impact on women’s rights, as well as the Azerbaijani attack on Nagorno-Karabakh in September 2023 and the forced displacement of the local population.
On October 4-5, during the 74th session of the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the discussion of the 4th periodic report of the Republic of Armenia was presented within the framework of the pact of the same name. The WRC presented an alternative report on women’s rights to the Committee, as well as made a speech, presenting the urgent issues in the field of women’s rights to the Committee members. As a result of the discussion, the Committee presented its final observations on Armenia.
The Women’s Resource Center, as a member of the Coalition To Stop Violence Against Women, together with other partners, met RA Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in November. The Coalition presented to the Prime Minister the situation of gender violence in Armenia in various fields and presented proposals regarding their solutions. Nikol Pashinyan emphasized the importance of discussing the problem of violence against women.
On November 6, we organized a consultation meeting with the European Union Mission in Armenia, the purpose of which was to discuss the role of women in the RA security agenda. Organizations dealing with women’s issues in border communities and advocating for the “Women, peace and security” agenda took part in the meeting.
On November 17th, we were happy to host in our premises the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly delegation of the Swedish Riksdag. The Ambassador Patrik Svensson was also among our guests. 7 MPs from different political parties were in the delegation․ The aim of the visit was to get to know the work of the Armenian civil society supported by SIDA, to learn about the challenges and accomplishments of our work.
On November 25, we participated in the candlelight vigil organized by the Coalition to Stop Violence Against Women, as part of the 16-day campaign against gender-based violence. And at the press conference held on November 27, WRC representative Anna Hovhannisyan presented the work done by the Coalition in the fight against gender-based violence, the existing problems and the proposed solutions.
Sexuala and Reproductive Health and Rights
During the months September-October, we held a series of training entitled “My body, my right” for a group of young women, consisting of 8 meetings. Topics such as sexual and reproductive anatomy and physiology, personal hygiene, menstrual cycle, healthy sexual relations, sexually transmitted diseases and contraceptive methods, etc. were discussed during them.
During this period, we conducted a two-day training program on October 30 and 31. The primary objective was to enhance the awareness and sensitivity of healthcare providers, specifically obstetricians, gynecologists, and family medicine doctors, to address the unique reproductive health needs and prevent gender-based violence for diverse groups of women.
In collaboration with human rights defenders and professionals, WRC targeted 100 doctors specialized in gynecology and family medicine. As an additional resource, a detailed booklet encompassing the discussed topics and relevant guidelines was distributed to the participating doctors. This booklet serves as a valuable reference guide, aiding healthcare providers in implementing principles of inclusivity, non-discrimination, and culturally sensitive care within their practice.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and like every year, we held a themed open house in our feminist safe space to discuss breast care, self-examination techniques, breast cancer prevalence and prevention methods.
Capacity building for women’s CSOs
Since August 2023, the sub-grant programs of 3 partner organizations have been implemented and summarized. The Sexual Assault Crisis Center presented the research “Women on Sexual Violence: Perceptions, Experiences” carried out within the framework of the project. In September, the Women’s Fund Armenia organized the presentation event of the magazine “Hayastani Ashkhatavorouhi” [Working Woman of Armenia]. A call for new sub-grants has been issued for economic empowerment and social integration programs aimed at forcibly displaced women and girls from Artsakh.
Psychological service
WRC psychologists conducted a group therapy session called “Personal Growth” in the mentioned period, and a total of 11 individual psychological consultations were conducted with 2 people.
Free Legal Consultancy
In the months of August-December, we received 110 calls to our free legal advice service number, and we provided advice to 12 visitors on the spot. Since October, our lawyer has also been answering phone calls of forcibly displaced Artsakh Armenians.
WRC is 20!
On September 8 we celebrated the 20th anniversary of the foundation of the Women’s Resource Center with our friends, allies from civil society, states people and representatives of international organizations and ambassadors. These past 20 years were full of various challenges as well as achievements. Hence, it was important for us to celebrate the fact that WRC is still operating and continuing its mission of empowering women even in these critical times.
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