First Meeting of the Women's Issues Council Held under Tigran Avinyan

On December 10, under the leadership of Deputy Prime Minister Tigran Avinyan, the first meeting of the Women's Issues Council took place. Tigran Avinyan delivered a speech in which he stated, "Good day, esteemed colleagues, I am pleased to welcome you to the inaugural meeting of the Women's Issues Council. The choice of this day is not coincidental. Today, the world celebrates International Human Rights Day, marking the significance of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which established the inalienability of all humans' rights on December 10, 1948, regardless of gender, age, race, language, or origin. Equality is a fundamental and essential right of every individual. It is enshrined in all international agreements on human rights and implies fair and impartial treatment of people in various areas of social life. Based on this universal principle, the Women's Issues Council is tasked with supporting equal involvement of women and men in the country's social, economic, and political platforms, strengthening equal rights and opportunities for women and men, and ensuring a discrimination-free and safe environment for every citizen.

Although significant steps have been taken to promote equality, violations of women's rights, discriminatory attitudes, and violence remain some of the most widespread forms of human rights violations, both globally and in our country. Being well aware of the issues regarding the incomplete implementation of state policy on ensuring gender equality and the inadequate provision of legislative regulations, I hope that within the framework of this Council, we will be able to find more innovative, targeted, and in-depth analytical solutions.

I believe everyone is familiar with the goals set before the Council. I would like to highlight and redefine a few that I consider priorities.

• Exclusion of violence in all areas of social life—at home, in the workplace, and in public spaces. Everyone, regardless of gender affiliation, has the right to live in an environment free from violence and hatred. And if this fundamental right is violated, the state is obliged to restore it.
• Exclusion of discrimination in all areas of social life. Whether it concerns employment or receiving services, any form of discrimination must be unacceptable and punishable for us.
• Economic empowerment of women. It is no secret that women possess significant human capital, which, due to numerous objective and subjective reasons, is not being realized. The state, through broad public cooperation, must ensure the necessary conditions for the realization of women's human capital, thus promoting economic equality between women and men and fostering inclusive economic development. Very specific actions are already planned within the framework of the 'Work, Armenia' strategy, and I believe these actions will be brought to life in a very short period.
• Lastly, it pertains to the general prevention institute aimed at implementing measures to prevent discrimination and violence, including the elimination of existing stereotypes and the exclusion of hate speech. In this context, the role of education and media is especially important; they must prevent the dissemination of content that promotes discrimination.

I believe that the implementation of the aforementioned measures will lead to the formation of an environment where my two daughters, our women, mothers, all women, citizens and non-citizens of the Republic of Armenia who live in our country can fully realize themselves, ensuring the harmonious development and well-being of the entire society.