Armenia

Armenia Country Gender Assessmentprinciples of nondiscrimination on the basis of sex such as the Council of EuropeConvention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms andthe European Social Charter. The government has also expressed its commitment toimplement the Council of Europe Gender Equality Strategy, 2014–2017.19. Further, the Constitution of the Republic of Armenia not only ensures theprotection of fundamental human rights in conformity with the principles of internationallaw, it also specifically guarantees equal rights to women and men. 9 Principles ofnondiscrimination are included in other laws, such as the Labor, Family, and Criminal codes.20. In 2013, Armenia adopted the Law on Equal Rights and Equal Opportunities forMen and Women, 10 a significant legal development and an important articulation of thegovernment’s commitment to promote gender equality. The law fills gaps that previouslyexisted in legislation such as by defining several key terms, setting forth prohibitions ongender discrimination, describing guarantees of equality in public service, and establishinga national agency on gender equality. However, while the law reiterates commitmentsunder the Constitution and international conventions, it does not create a mechanism bywhich victims of gender discrimination can assert their rights in court. The passage of thelaw attracted considerable controversy and debate in Armenia, an outcome that observershad not anticipated (Box 1).21. State policy relevant to gender equality has evolved from measures aimed atenhancing the status of women to a more holistic view of eliminating disparities betweenwomen and men. The National Plan for Improving the Status of Women and EnhancingTheir Role in Society, 2004–2010 highlighted several areas in which women faced particularproblems, such as accessing decision-making roles and formal employment, gender-basedviolence (GBV), and human trafficking. Yet the plan also retained a traditional view ofwomen as being responsible for family life and having to fit professional, political, and socialactivities around this role. 1122. In 2009, the government elaborated the Gender Policy Concept Paper ofthe Republic of Armenia, 12 which describes state policy on ensuring equal rights andopportunities for men and women. The paper includes a strategy to address the primaryobjective of “introducing gender criteria into all spheres of socio-political life” and specificobjectives relevant to decision making, economic reform, education and health sectors,and GBV. Significantly, to implement the paper, the drafting of a national action plan andthe creation of a national mechanism were requested. 1323. The road map for Armenia’s gender policy is the Gender Policy Strategic ActionPlan, 2011–2015. 14 This plan addresses all areas outlined in the concept paper and identifiesspecific goals for each sector. While the plan does not define a gender-mainstreamingapproach, it does require the integration of “a gender component into the country’sstrategic programs of political and economic development and [the introduction of] a9 Government of Armenia. 2005. Constitution of the Republic of Armenia. Yerevan. Articles 3 and 14.1.10 Law No. 57. Adopted by Parliament on 20 May 2013.11 Government of Armenia. 2004. Republic of Armenia National Action Plan on Improving the Status of Women and Enhancing Their Role inSociety, 2004–2010. Yerevan. p. 1.12 Government of Armenia. 2010. Gender Policy Concept Paper of the Republic of Armenia. Yerevan.13 Ibid., p. 32.14 Government of Armenia. 2011. Republic of Armenia Gender Policy Strategic Action Plan, 2011–2015. Yerevan.6