The pursuit of achieving gender equality and fight against gender-based violence run hand in hand, and on this path, innovative approaches and solutions designed to empower women and girls are essential. To support the strengthening of those actions, spread their positive impact and contribute to the progress in achieving the SDG targets 5, 9, and 17, the UNFPA Armenia country office collaborated with a number of initiatives and programmes.
One of these initiatives is the Safe YOU all-in-one innovative solution, which allows women to seek help in emergencies by sending alert messages with the user’s geolocation to selected contacts, women support organizations, state authorities, or the police. The application created by Armenian women assists in connecting with a community that supports survivors of gender-based violence and educates them about their rights, health and life skills. The app offers forums for anonymous discussions with vetted professionals,
such as doctors, lawyers, and psychologists.
Legal provisions on awareness about domestic violence in Armenia according to the Baseline Study On Gender Norms and Stereotypes
Due to the partnership with UNFPA Armenia and advocacy work, the platform developed its technical possibilities and reached broader users. In late 2021, UNFPA Armenia country office in partnership with UNFPA country office in Iraq launched Safe YOU to become available to Iraqi women and girls. Iraq became the third country in that programme after Armenia and Georgia. To ensure further inclusivity of the app, the Russian version of the application was developed with the UNFPA Armenia support in the framework of the EUfunded
“Future Today” programme. In 2022, Safe YOU reached about 1600 new users in Armenia (4200 overall)․ The number of its users has reached 27 thousand in three countries. In 2022, out of 300 submissions, 61 countries, and 20 finalists, Safe YOU became one of the 10 winners of the Joint Innovation Challenge 2022.
Such initiatives, which can fight against domestic violence, have a vital role in the world, including Armenia, where women and men are generally more unaware of rape laws and policies.
Baseline Study On Gender Norms and Stereotypes in the countries of the Eastern Partnership conducted within the “EU 4 Gender Equality: Together against gender stereotypes and gender-based violence” programme showcased a high level of violence tolerance in the six countries of the Eastern Partnership (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Republic of Moldova, Ukraine).
Perceptions of domestic violence and justice in the six countries of the EU Eastern
Partnership, according to the Baseline Study On Gender Norms and Stereotypes
The study shows the continuation of efforts towards achieving gender equal environment is essential. In terms of these efforts, the UNFPA Armenia office has been the supporter and initiator of several innovative and creative engagement methods in 2022.
Perceptions of domestic violence and justice among Armenians according to the Baseline Study On Gender Norms and Stereotypes
UNFPA Armenia Gender Portfolio programmes implemented several activities addressing sensitive gender issues in Armenia through edutainment, that is, interactive performances, educational programmes and communications materials.
In the framework of the “EU 4 Gender Equality” programme, about 300 Armenians deepened their knowledge about gender equality and positive parenting. They explored the best ways of increasing the father’s involvement in child care and improved their understanding of equal sharing of domestic work by participating in the “Papa Schools” sessions and “Caring for Equality” parenting course at the Family Corners established in Shirak, Tavush and Lori regions.
“During the parenting course, we learned practical skills and acquired knowledge, starting from childcare to family relationships. Each topic is connected to real life and uniquely essential to the relationship between couples,” says 32-year-old Vahan Davoyan, one of the “Caring for Equality” course participants at the Vanadzor Family Corner.
The “Prominent Armenian Women for Women Empowerment” campaign sensitized 284 local people and key stakeholders, including representatives from regional and national administration offices, education institutions, police, and health workers. Performances aiming to foster gender-transformative approaches to eliminate discriminatory social norms and harmful practices in communities were held in the framework of the programme “Addressing gender-biased sex selection and related harmful practices in the South
Caucasus”.
The sensitive gender issues were addressed through the “Race for Carrots” innovative interactive performance by the “Theatre of Change” NGO, reaching around 400 young Armenian people. Furthermore, 411 participants received information about gender-based violence (GBV), harmful practices and the importance of GBV prevention via “I am a Woman” theatre play.
Among policy change activities – policy briefs on gender-biased sex selection are developed and available to the regional and local administration offices, another-to health and education sectors. Policy briefs are available in Armenian and English.
Learnt lessons have shown that addressing sensitive gender issues with innovative, interactive methods is more effective in stereotyped societies. Taking into account the successful experiences in this regard, we must continue focusing on achieving an equal society with empowered women.
United Nations Economic Commission for Europe
Palais des Nations, Geneva
