Protecting women’s rights in the armed forces and fostering their involvement is a major priority - Arpine Sargsyan

Deputy Minister of Justice Arpine Sargsyan delivered an opening speech at the closing ceremony of the Project "Human Rights and Women in the Armed Forces in Armenia-Phase II" implemented with the support of the Council of Europe.

Deputy Minister Sargsyan stated that through effective implementation of the actions that are part of the Project, in the context of the component of the 2020-2022 National Strategy for Human Rights Protection related to effective protection of the rights of women in the armed forces, there are already positive results based on 5 actions of the Action Plan.

Sargsyan attached importance to the inclusion of course on human rights (developed within the framework of the Project) in the curricula of the Military University after Vazgen Sargsyan of the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Armenia and the development of a training manual for trainers in the context of the need to introduce mechanisms for the protection of the rights of women in the educational component.

Within the scope of the Project, video clips for raising awareness were also developed, covering topics of the national legal framework with respect to equal opportunities for women in military service, measures for legal protection, as well as the system of social guarantees and benefits for military servicepersons. Sargsyan also stressed that the issues of protection of the rights of military servicewomen are sensitive not only in peace, but also during war, and so the actions taken must equally concern both situations.

Sargsyan reaffirmed that the development and introduction of effective mechanisms for human rights protection on the part of the Government are considered as absolute priorities, and the armed forces, especially women, will not be left out so that equal opportunities in service are ensured, regardless of gender.

Deputy Head of the Council of Europe Office in Yerevan Leila Zhdanova expressed gratitude to the Government for the effective partnership and expressed willingness to continue further co-operation in this sector.