On March 8, Young European Ambassadors (YEA) invited everyone from Armenia to the “Ilik” Cafe, to Equal Opportunities Fair, dedicated to International Women’s Day. The event hosted MPs Lilit Makunts and Tsovinar Vardanyan as well, who discussed with the participants their views on the day’s sacrament. Representatives from the Armenian Lawyers’ Association, Women’s Voice Radio, Girls in Tech, UFAR Junior Entrepreneurs attended the fair. They presented the opportunities provided to women and girls. The Young European Ambassadors Initiative had organised the event dedicated to the International Women’s Day (March 8).
Representative of the Armenian Lawyers’ Association, Young European Ambassador Mariam Zadoyan presented the activities of the Armenian Lawyers’ Association in the field of protection of women’s rights, particularly the issue of women’s political involvement and sex-selective abortion issues.
MP Lilit Makunts noticed that today there is a problem of re-interpretation of women’s role in Armenia. She spoke about violence against women, women’s participation and a number of other issues. She also expressed concern that there are almost no streets and statues in Armenia dedicated to women.
Member of the initiative Andranik Shirinyan mentioned that the participation of female MPs in the event is a special purpose. “As women did not take part in decision-making processes, we decided to invite women MPs to show that though few, but women also participate in the decision-making process,” Andranik Shirinyan said.
The “Young European Ambassadors” initiative is aimed at promoting cooperation and sustainable links between the European Union (EU) and the Eastern Partnership countries – youth, youth organizations from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine. The network is, in principle, an online platform that contributes to the mutual exchange of ideas and information on the EU, as well as the involvement of young people in informational activities. It focuses on contacts and dialogue based on people who contribute to raising awareness on the EU and improving perceptions about it, as well as the high appreciation of its relationship with the Eastern Neighborhood.
