The UNFPA in Armenia and the OxYGen Foundation initiated an event ahead of International Women's Rights Day
Ahead of International Women's Rights Day, the UNFPA in Armenia and the OxYGen Foundation initiated an event titled "Double Shift: From Personal Stories to Solutions and Partnership."
The goal of the event was to discuss women's rights, specifically addressing the challenges of balancing family and work, the double burden placed on women, and the unequal distribution of labor. It also aimed to highlight the importance of family-friendly, gender-sensitive policies for Armenia's demographic resilience.
The event was initiated within the framework of the "Demographic Resilience: Expanding Women's Capacities and Choices through Data-driven Policies" project. The project is implemented by UNFPA and funded by the UK International Development from the UK government.
The event commenced with performances by the musical group "Uru" and the "Double Shift" exhibition, which illustrates the challenges of women's involvement at home and in the workplace.
Opening remarks were delivered by H.E. Alexandra Cole, Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Armenia; Ms. Tatevik Stepanyan, Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Affairs; Ms. Françoise Jacob, UN Resident Coordinator in Armenia; and Ms. Lusine Sargsyan, Head of the UNFPA Armenia Office.
“Whether you call it 'emotional labor' or whether you call it 'the double shift' - which is really accurate - it is nonetheless a massive contribution to society. A contribution that is not always accounted for economically, and a contribution that is not necessarily factored into the policies that shape women's lives. When women are fully supported, entire communities benefit. The UK Government is proud to support UNFPA's work in bringing this vital issue into the open.” said the Ambassador, referring to women’s dual work at workplace and home.
Deputy Minister Stepanyan mentioned: "The entire responsibility for caregiving still rests solely on the shoulders of women. This burden limits their participation in socio-economic and cultural life. It is high time to invest in means that will bring equality to life… Dear women, be bold when you receive offers to lead or to author something. Measuring and cutting fifteen or twenty times is not for the benefit of the public or society. Be bold, be at the foundation of building a healthy society, because I believe that an individual's effort will lead to the creation of a better state."
Ms. Françoise Jacob, UN Resident Coordinator in Armenia mentioned that the situation with gender equality is not ideal, but there is progress in Armenia. She also touched upon an important topic – building sustainable peace - that lacks women’s involvement.
"To build sustainable peace, we need infrastructure, we need investment, we need jobs... But we also need to work with people. And we will need to engage women extremely deeply, significantly, on conversations related to peace. What does peace mean for us? What does peace mean in our community? What does peace mean in our family?", said the Resident Coordinator.
The Head of the UNFPA Armenia Office noted: "It is extremely important that every member of society - without distinction of women, men, city, or community - move forward together in harmony. And I am hopeful that true equality between women and men, solidarity, and the equal distribution of work can lead to that positive balance which, in essence, we strive for."
The opening was followed by screening of the documentary “Every Day the Same Day” telling stories of struggles of five women, and a lively panel discussion titled "Family-Friendly Policies vs. Double Shift: Personal Stories and Policy Needs in Armenia." Participants included Deputy Minister Tatevik Stepanyan; Aline Masrlian, founder of the "Aleppo" store chain; project beneficiary Monika Grigoryan; and Gabriela Alvarez Minte, an expert from the UNFPA Regional Office (online).
The event concluded with a job fair involving women seeking employment and representatives from the private sector. Project beneficiaries from Aparan, Talin, and Yerevan met with private sector representatives to explore opportunities. Within the project's framework, approximately 60 women improved their knowledge and acquired new skills to become more competitive in the labor market. The Body Shop Armenia, a long time partner of UNFPA, gave presents to beneficiaries of the project.