Mary Matosian
Ani Jilozian
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March 8, a day to celebrate the achievements of women all across the
world, is here. The United Nations (U.N.) recently declared this year’s
theme as “Planet 50-50 by 2030: Step It Up for Gender Equality.” As we
celebrate this day and the women and girls in our lives, we must at the
same time recognize and be more vocal about the rampant sexism and male
domination that sets the foundation for gender inequality and
discrimination in our homeland.
In post-independence Armenia, more women are relegated to secondary
roles in society. Women, who make up the majority of the population due
to male out-migration, are facing rampant poverty. More and more are
single mothers and the sole bread winners for their children and elderly
parents. Yet, because women are primarily employed as low-wage service
providers, their average monthly wages represent only 64.4 percent of
men’s, which gives Armenia one of the largest gender pay gaps in all of
Eastern Europe and Central Asia.3 This results in many women
living hand-to-mouth, unable to afford decent health care for themselves
and their families. Further exacerbating these issues are disappearing
safety nets that result in fewer women getting educated and finding
work.
The government continues to cast aside any obligation towards its
citizens, leaving women in a vulnerable position. Authorities have shown
little political will in addressing women’s issues and many national
actors are even resistant to improve women’s status in society. It is
bizarre and frustrating when government officials, who purport to value
the Armenian family, make decisions that directly go against women. Just
a few years ago, the government tried to abolish paid maternity leave
and free vaccinations for infants. Luckily, women’s rights activists
were able to retract those decisions through vigorous protesting.
If we want to see change and have a society that values respect and
equality, we need to show that we value women. Yet, we frequently see
shows on local television that demean women and portray them as being
cheated on, abused, and suicidal. In everyday life, we encounter harmful
gender stereotypes. Our study on gender stereotypes and attitudes4
sheds light on the extent to which women are taught to believe that
they are incapable of leadership and thought to be less intelligent and
capable than men. Children’s textbooks are filled with gender
stereotypes in their depiction and illustrations of tasks for females
and males. Advertisements reinforce the submissive and subservient role
of women. One such advertisement showed a traffic sign with a high heel
in the center to alert drivers to the “bad driving” of women.
This March 8 we will once again hear officials making statements,
like that of Minister of Education Armen Ashotyan, who exclaimed, “I
wish you health, endless love, feminine charm, happiness, smiles, and
joy,” or a similar statement by Minister of Defense Seyran Ohanyan, who
noted, “I wish you endless charm, fulfillment of dreams, happy smiles,
and a nice spring mood.” When asked to elaborate on the image of an
Armenian woman, Minister of Diasporan Affairs Hranush Hakobyan flatly
stated, “To tell you the truth, I don’t accept filthy, ill-mannered
girls. A woman must be modest.” One of the most outspoken clergy members
on Armenian television, Hayr Komitas, publicly announced his
disapproval of the gender equality law, asserting, “This decision is
immoral; it is not only against the will of God but also nature.” What
all these authority figures are saying, directly or indirectly, is that
women should be relegated to be feminine, beautiful objects and mothers,
but not equals to men.
It is no wonder, then, that women are given such a limited role in
society. Women representation in the Armenian government is below
standard with just three women ministers, no women governors or mayors,
and a dismal representation of women in parliament. Women’s issues are
not part of political platforms, and women have been absent as decision
makers in political parties.
In place of insensitive and harmful statements, we need policies that
support women, such as legislation that protects them against domestic
violence, an endemic problem in Armenia that one out of four women
faces. What assistance is given to those mothers who are unemployed,
often as a consequence of abuse, and abandoned by their husbands? One
wonders why, with the birth rate cut by 50 percent since the 1980’s,
supporting women and families is not made a priority.
Women’s rights activists who drive civil society initiatives are
fearlessly standing up for justice. Like the women propelling the early
feminist movement forward, these women are working to redress
inequalities of all kinds, not only those based on gender. A broad set
of issues interest our women, including the fight against corruption,
environmental protection, and social justice, as well as the patriarchy
that sustains an oligarchic system.
Nothing will change in Armenia if we don’t tackle societal attitudes
and gender inequality. No amount of new or renovated schools, clinics,
and churches will push social change, especially if women and children
who would otherwise benefit from such services cannot access them. A
society where women are not active participants can never advance. That
is why it is crucial, on this March 8 and going forward, to make our
voices heard. We must change harmful gender norms and stereotypes at the
interpersonal and community levels, and push the Armenian government to
develop and implement legislative policies that positively impact our
personal and collective well-being. We must make women’s issues a
priority in Armenia. It simply cannot wait any longer.
1 Guilmoto (2013). Sex Imbalances at Birth in Armenia: Demographic Evidence and Analysis. See http://www.un.am/up/library/Sex%20Imbalance%20report_eng.pdf.
2 Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (2011). Domestic Violence Survey in the Republic of Armenia. See http://www.osce.org/yerevan/88229?download=true.
3 Asian Development Bank (2015). Armenia Country Gender Assessment. See http://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/institutional-document/162152/arm-country-gender-assessment.pdf.
4 Women’s Support Center (2012). Sociological Study on Gender Stereotypes and Attitudes. See http://www.womensupportcenter.org/am/publications-articles/.
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