Armenian government debates gender equality at cabinet meeting

On April 23, the Armenian government discussed and approved a new gender policy implementation strategy for 2025-2028. The document sparked lively debate among cabinet members.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Ararat Mirzoyan emphasized during the meeting that violence against women is prevalent not only in rural areas but also in Yerevan, urging the government to take an uncompromising stance against domestic violence, Caliber.Az reports via Armenian media.

Minister of Economy Gevorg Papoyan’s statement denying gender discrimination in society was met with criticism. Minister of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports Zhanna Andreasyan disagreed, pointing out that such claims hinder the search for solutions. She noted that discrimination often starts with women themselves, towards other women.

"Many of our stereotypes are formed and transmitted by women—about women and against women," said Andreasyan, adding that the majority of teachers in schools are women, a phenomenon common not only in Armenia but in many other countries.

She also raised the issue of discrimination in the education system, citing the Pedagogical University as an example: “The university has been operating for more than a hundred years, and only recently did a woman become its rector for the first time. This is despite the fact that around 90% of the employees in this field are women. Are you suggesting that in all this time, there was no woman capable of holding this position?”

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan addressed the negative impact of criminal subculture, especially on young men. He noted that when a young man becomes involved in criminal culture, his educational progress halts, and his manipulability increases: "The closer a man is to criminal culture, the more manipulable he becomes."

The new strategy identifies six priorities for ensuring gender equality, focusing on governance, socio-economic policy, education, healthcare, domestic violence prevention, and climate policy. The document was developed using a participatory and evidence-based approach, initiated by Armenia's Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs with support from international partners. 

By Tamilla Hasanova