Armenia’s Human Rights Defender’s Office tackles domestic violence with EU support

For all too many women, home is not a safe space. Domestic violence remains widespread around the world. In Armenia, over 700 cases of domestic violence are reported each year. The real number is likely to be much higher, as survivors are often reluctant to speak out.

To turn the tide of domestic violence, countries need strong national human rights institutions. They play a pivotal role in protecting women’s and men’s fundamental rights – including their right to live free from all forms of violence. This is why the EU-funded EU4Gender Equality Reform Helpdesk is supporting Armenia’s Human Rights Defender’s Office (HRDO) to respond to the scourge of domestic violence nationwide.

A training on “Crisis Support for Cases of Domestic Violence with Gender-Sensitive Approach” (8 July 2022) organised by the Reform Helpdesk strengthened the capacities of staff at the Human Right’s Defender’s Office to address domestic violence more effectively. It helped all 18 participants understand domestic violence in the context of gender inequalities, and the importance of considering power imbalances in crisis support. It challenged victim-blaming attitudes – where even some specialists still believe that women are to blame if they suffer abuse. Participants called the training an “eye-opener”. In the past, they approached domestic violence purely from a legal perspective – the training enabled them to look at the issue from a social and gender perspective as well, revealing how much work is still needed to strengthen Armenia’s response to domestic violence.

Training national human rights institutions on preventing and combatting gender-based violence is a key part of the EU4GenderEquality: Reform Helpdesk project. Funded by the European Union and implemented by Niras, the project aims to ensure effective and equal results for women and men across Eastern Partnership countries by expanding the use of gender analysis in decision-making and reforms.

Learn more about the EU support for gender equality

Gender equality – EU NEIGHBOURS east

EU4GenderEquality: Reform Helpdesk

EU4 Gender Equality Reform Helpdesk – factsheet