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Liza Grigoryan, emphasizing the international experience and history, finds that it is relevant to prevent the problem right at the very beginning, taking into consideration the importance of the role of the psychologists, social workers, who should work with both survivors of domestic violence and perpetrators. “A punishment is necessary for creating justice or stopping the violence but it doesn’t solve the issue”, she says. Punishment is not excluded, but in order to reach the final result, other joint mechanisms should also be implemented.

All the functions assigned to the court within the Law and the resolution of the problems by the court result in regulation, the fair examination of the rights of the sides, otherwise, we will have to cope with a chaotic situation depending on the opportunities of the sides.

As a result of the discussion some judicial protection mechanisms of the women’s rights, the relevance of protective decision, the effect and consequences of the decisions made by the judges were identified.

The Coalition to Stop Violence against Women (hereafter Coalition), which creation is based on the October 1 incident, the assassination of 20-year-old Zaruhi Petrosyan and which unites 10 organizations operating in the field of women’s rights, set a goal to raise awareness about domestic violence, the existing problems, and call on the state to apply combined mechanisms for preventing cases of domestic violence in Armenia.

One of the important steps is considered as breaking stereotypes in the society, talking about the problem of domestic violence, making it a matter of public concern and, in general, informing the public about sexual, domestic, gender-based violence, because if the society denies the existence of such a problem, then how it can be objective, how a survivor of domestic violence can talk about her case. Consequently, the change in public perception becomes one of the main sectors of the Coalition.

The adoption of the Law on “Prevention of Domestic Violence, Protection of the Victims of Domestic Violence and Restoration of Solidarity in the Family” created levers that enabled to stand by the survivor of domestic violence, to protect her rights and to save from abusive relationships. It takes a long time, including appropriate psychological support, for the survivor to overcome the status of the victim, to get rid of the victim’s psychology, and for the perpetrator to avoid his violent behavior. And only she has the right to choose whether to reunite with her husband or not after the long recovering and have a feeling of being protected.

Speaking about the role of the state due to the Law on domestic violence, Zaruhi Hovhannisyan emphasized, “The State should not make any effort to restore the family or restore solidarity, but should protect victim, prevent violence and restore the survival of her victim’s psychology”. The implementation of these steps leads to the restoration of the family, thus the final decision belongs to the person subjected to domestic violence.

The guest of the program was Gayane Avagyan, Head of the Division of Maternal and Reproductive Health Protection of the Ministry of Health of RA.  

During the TV program many questions were discussed such as the activities carried out by the Ministry of Health of RA after the adoption of the Law on “Prevention of Domestic Violence, Protection of the Victims of Domestic Violence and Restoration of Solidarity in the Family”, reforms, cooperation with state and non-state institutions and mechanisms in terms of providing women subjected to domestic violence with health care.

The first aid provided to women survivors of domestic violence, its registration and reporting procedures and other existing mechanisms received a legislative solution after the adoption of the Law. 

It should be noted that the health care system is one of the main links directly connected to the phenomenon of domestic violence. Medical workers play a big role who have to be able to work properly with survivors of domestic violence as if in case of physical violence it is possible to identify the problem and provide aid, then in case of psychological and economic forms of violence they just need to understand the emotional state of women and provide appropriate assistance. 

“Violence still justified by the victims of violence, it must be changed. From pre-school age, in the family, throughout the whole process, continuously, women and men must be inspired that violence is an unacceptable phenomenon in all cases and it must be eliminated”, mentioned G. Avagyan highlighting the mutual disclosure of the problem, but in the absence of which the assignment seems to be transferred to the medical workers.

As a result of the discussion, the functions of the Ministry of Health, performed work, further steps aimed at providing first aid and protection to women subjected to domestic violence were revealed.

 “Women human rights defenders stepping up against gender based violence in Armenia” (2020-2022) project is implemented by the Coalition to Stop Violence against Women with the financial support of the European Union․

This publication was produced with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of Women’s Rights Center NGO and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union․

The guest of the program was Sofi Bostanchyan, Head of the Department of Human Trafficking and Women’s Issues of the Equal Opportunities Department of RA MLSI.  

The role and functions of the RA Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs to solve and prevent the existing problems in the field of domestic violence reserved to them by Law on “Prevention of Domestic Violence, Protection of the Victims of Domestic Violence and Restoration of Solidarity in the Family” were discussed during the TV program.

The work done by the Ministry was presented in 3 stages: introduction of appropriate mechanisms after the adoption of the Law, its practical implementation and public awareness-raising, as well as training of the specialists of the field.

The establishment of support centers and shelters for the survivors of domestic violence in all the regions of Armenia was one of the most important steps set by the Ministry. S. Bostanchyan mentioned that during the first half of 2020, about 463 citizens were provided with appropriate assistance by all support centers, and 55 people were accommodated in 2 shelters out of which 32 were children and 22 were women survivors.

“The support center performs a supportive work, not dividing or destroying function,” said Bostanchyan, referring to the work done by the support centers and the stereotypes existing in the society.

Thus, as a result of the discussion, the functions of the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, performed work, further mechanisms aimed at the protection of women subjected to domestic violence and the prevention of the issue were revealed.

“Women human rights defenders stepping up against gender based violence in Armenia” (2020-2022) project is implemented by the Coalition to Stop Violence against Women with the financial support of the European Union․

This publication was produced with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of Women’s Rights Center NGO and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union․

The series of TV program “Talks about women’s rights” is devoted to the coverage of the issue of domestic violence in Armenia, the RA Law on the “Prevention of Domestic Violence, Protection of the Victims of Domestic Violence and Restoration of Solidarity in the Family”, as well measures to combat violence against women and the international documents ratified by the RA Government.

The guest of the program was Nelli Duryan, Deputy Head of the General Department of Public Order Protection of the RA Police.

The RA Law on “Prevention of Domestic Violence, Protection of Victims of Domestic Violence, and Restoration of Family Solidarity” was adopted in 2017 on December 13, entered into force in 2018 on January 31.

The adoption of the law was a necessity, which defined the concept of domestic violence, the means of protection of survivors of domestic violence, the functions of the police. Cases of domestic violence have been, are and will be all over the world. Armenia also faces the problem of domestic violence; however, all steps should be aimed at reducing the number of survivors of domestic violence, preventing cases and finding solutions.

The adoption of the law enabled survivors of domestic violence to seek protection and to feel safe. The role of the police is important here, in case an alarm is received, the police officers go to the crime scene, having the right to use protective measures in accordance with the law.

To the question whether the presence of the police in the family is ambiguously perceived, N․ Duryan noted that if society thinks that the police interfere in family life, then there is only one answer: when police officers get home in case they get an alarm of violence, then it is not allowed to talk about the police interfering in people's family life.

“If we compare 2020 to the previous year /for 6 months/, we have 246 examined cases compared to 240 examined cases of the previous year”, mentioned N. Duryan talking about the current statistics.

Thus, as a result of the discussion, the functions envisaged by the law, the changes, the protection means of the survivors of domestic violence, the reconciliation mechanisms were revealed. We must obey the law, we must speak up on violence, be careful and raise legal awareness, and only in this case it will be possible to prevent cases of violence and to help the survivors of domestic violence.

“Women human rights defenders stepping up against gender based violence in Armenia” (2020-2022) project is implemented by the Coalition to Stop Violence against Women with the financial support of the European Union․

This publication was produced with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of Women’s Rights Center NGO and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union․

The series of TV program on “Talks about women’s rights” was launched on Shant TV.

The TV program is devoted to the coverage of the issue of domestic violence in Armenia, the RA Law on the “Prevention of Domestic Violence, Protection of the Victims of Domestic Violence and Restoration of Solidarity in the Family”, as well as measures to fight violence against women and the international documents ratified by the RA Government.

At the beginning of the program EU Ambassador to Armenia Andrea Wiktorin sent her message to viewers.

The guests of the program were the experts of the Women’s Rights Center, on behalf of the Center psychologist Marine Yeghiazaryan and Attorney Hasmik Pakhanyan. Reference was made to the Law on domestic violence, the gaps in Law, protection mechanisms provided by Law. According to the Center’s Attorney, the adoption of the Law was a necessity in contrast to the existing positive and negative opinions. The problems which are being faced by women subjected to domestic violence in one hand in a state of psychological instability and on the other hand as a consequence of low level of awareness, were represented. Problems include the misrepresentation of the case to the police, the misunderstanding that abuse is always physical, a lack of information about support centers, relevant services, etc.

Due to the state of emergency in the country, Women’s Rights Center continues to provide online assistance to women survivors of domestic violence; one of the positive aspects is that the Center now provides psychological and legal assistance to women not only in the regions of RA, but also women in Nagorno-Karabakh.

As a result of the discussion, existing problems in the sphere were raised, the adoption of the law and its role for women survivors of domestic violence were highlighted one more time, the role of the police was emphasized, and mechanisms in terms of raising awareness of the issue were pointed out.

“Women human rights defenders stepping up against gender based violence in Armenia” (2020-2022) project is implemented by the Coalition to Stop Violence against Women under the funding from the European Union․

The Beneficiaries of Women's Rights Center who have been affected by socio-economic consequences  of the coronavirus (COVID-19) and have social problems occured during quarantine situation are provided with financial support in the frames of KVINNA till KVINNA project. During the program, social assistance was provided to women, paying the utility bills of 22 beneficiaries, and rents of 6 beneficiaries' houses.

Social assistance programs will be ongoing, including programs from the United Nations and the European Union.

The discussion focused on the main problems, gaps and obstacles caused by the epidemic, and submission of organized and response actions by the government. All the participants shared their experience and problems occurred during Coronvirus. Psychologist of Women's rights center also presented activities which were carried in the state emergency. Discussion was summed up with answer and question session.

According to the instituted quarantine regime in the country to control the spread of the highly contagious n bdisease in Armenia, WRC staff is currently working from home, providing assistance to its beneficiaries via social media, and by hot line taking responsibility and  making reasonable approach in this situation. As seminars, conferences and other meetings are prohibited WRC staff decided to held online trainings instead. The first online training was held on April 4 and 5 on “What is domestic violence and its legal regulations”. The training was held through Zoom Video Communications and each part lasted 1.5 hours. On April 4 the essence and concept of domestic violence, its types, causes and consequences were represented by the trainer. The second day the trainer spoke about the provisions of RA DV Law, represented amendments and gaps in the Law, also about international conventions. The participants were active and raised many questions on the issue. Their expectations were discussed and summed up at the end of the training.

Marina Yeghiazaryan, the psychologist of Women's Rights Center and Stella Chandiryan, the lawyer of Coalition to Stop Violence against Women spoke about domestic violence and its manifestations, existing gaps of RA Legislation and the brutal incident in Gyumri during Shant TV live programme. The aim of the programme was to illuminate public opinion on domestic violence, which can also have negative effect on the increase of violence.