Remarks by H.E. Mr. Mher Margaryan, Permanent Representative of Armenia to the UN, at the event “Armenian Women Leaders Rising”, hosted by the Armenian International Women's Association

17 մարտի, 2019

I want to thank the Armenian International Women’s Association for organizing this event - so prominently and fittingly titled Armenian Women Leaders Rising.
The vision and dedication of AIWA to the cause of advancement of women is as relevant for Armenia and Diaspora as for the International community.

Gender equality and empowerment of all women and girls are very high on the United Nations agenda. The ongoing 63rd session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women which started last week has generated an unprecedented interest not only among UN member states who were mostly represented by high ranking and ministerial delegations, but also among thousands of civil society representatives from every part of the world.

We were very glad and encouraged that this year the Armenian delegation for CSW was headed by the Minister of Labour and Social Affairs, Zaruhi Batoyan, who herself, used to be an NGO activist for gender equality and for the rights of people with disabilities. Armenia’s membership in CSW will commence at the end of this year’s session and will last for the next 4 years, and we look forward to closely working with the leading Armenian Women organizations to make our engagement in CSW more meaningful and constructive.

Women and youth were at the forefront of the fundamental changes in Armenia last April-May leading to the Popular Velvet Revolution. And the Women were also acting as guarantors of the peaceful nature of the demonstrations and the entire process of transformation of power. As Prime Minister Pashinyan has mentioned on several occasions: “The women have played an instrumental and decisive role in the Revolution”.

Today the women with their exceptional expertise in advocacy and campaigning for human rights, fundamental freedoms, equal opportunities, environmental issues and inclusion are among the decision makers in the executive and legislative branches of Power in Armenia.
As a result of Parliamentary elections held in December, women now constitute 25 percent of the National Assembly of Armenia, but I am happy to state a fact that a woman is leading the majority of the National Assembly. Today we are very grateful to have amongst us –Ms. Lilit Makunts, the leader of the largest faction in the Parliament-“My step” and Ms. Mary Galstyan, from the same faction.

The citizens of Armenia have made a phenomenal, monumental step towards making our country a genuinely democratic one, where rights of every individual are fully respected and protected without any discrimination, where the rule of law and equal opportunities and access to justice are not mere slogans but a reality of everyday life.

We are happy to observe the strong sense of ownership among the fellow Diaspora members, of what has happened in Armenia and I hope and I am confident that this energy and enthusiasm will be further translated to generate greater involvement and stronger ties with our motherland.
I thank you.

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