Shining a light on the rights of women with disabilities in Armenia

A panel discussion on the “Rights of women with disabilities in Armenia” was held in Yerevan on 10 October, with the support of the EU-funded EU4Gender Equality Reform Helpdesk project team in Armenia, Member of Parliament Ms Zaruhi Batoyan, the Parliament of Armenia, and co-organised with the Agate Rights Defence Centre for Women with Disabilities. The event shone a light on the rights of women with disabilities, their access to services – including the challenges they face in the health and education sectors – and the situation of women with disabilities who were forcibly displaced from Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh) in September. 

Women with disabilities are often invisible and marginalised in society. They face a range of challenges, such as discrimination, the perpetuation of harmful stereotypes, human rights violations, and exclusion, including from decision-making spaces. The panel discussion brought these issues to the attention of key stakeholders who participated in the event, including Members of Parliament, government representatives, local civil society organisations, and representatives of the EU Delegation to Armenia. 

The event was part of ongoing support for the Armenian government by the EU4Gender Equality Reform Helpdesk project, funded by the European Union and implemented by Niras. The Reform Helpdesk aims to ensure effective and equal results for women and men across Eastern Partnership countries – including Armenia – by expanding the use of gender analysis in decision-making and reforms. It will continue to support Armenia to advance gender equality until the project’s completion at the end of 2023. 

Find out more

EU4GenderEquality Reform Helpdesk

EU4 Gender Equality Reform Helpdesk – factsheet

EU4Gender Equality Reform Helpdesk’s support (2021–2022) for Armenia