Project name: Improvement of Armenian secondary education from gender perspective through teachers’ qualification trainings and empowerment of regional young women and girls

Funded by: Kvinna till Kvinna foundation

Project period: 2017-2018

This project is implemented in cooperation with Kvinna till Kvinna foundation. The project aims to contribute to the creation of gender-sensitive educational system as well as the elimination of gender inequality, discrimination, and violence in Armenia by targeting secondary school teachers and pupils in order to improve formal education settings by empowering regional women and girls through awareness raising and education.

The project includes a number of trainings with teachers, women and girls from different regions in Armenia, a Gender Equality (Fem) camp as well as public initiations and advocacy.

Awareness raising and skill building trainings for journalists are considered significant components for the effective implementation of the “Women Peace and Security” agenda in Armenia. This training module has been developed to provide appropriate instructions for trainers who are interested in working with journalists and desire to contribute to the implementation of the “Women, Peace and Security” agenda as well as promote publicity about this topic through media.

The module includes theoretical knowledge and statistical data for the trainer, examples of practical exercises, various tools for effective organization of training sessions and methods used to conduct training evaluation mechanisms.

SWV prepared this training module in cooperation with Global Network of Women Peacebuilders in the frames of “Local, national and Regional strategy to improve the implementation of the UNSCR 1325 in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine” project funded by the Austrian Development Cooperation․

Attachments:

Training Modul - English.pdf

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2216 kB

The Society Without Violence NGO introduced and declared July 27 as gender equality day in Armenia. For those who are interested in what this day entails and what exactly motivated SWV to declare this torrid summer day to promote gender equality, we have an interesting story to tell. The date was not decided because it was the day when the total lunar eclipse occurred or because Vincent Van Gogh shot himself in the chest on that day in 1890.

So, why July 27? You can find various interesting and even weird days that people celebrate around the world. For instance, the Southern Hemisphere celebrates “Put on Your Own Shoes Day” and the United States celebrates “Bean Day” in January. One can find any kind of day to celebrate but the Gender Equality... Since 2001, SWV has been fighting for a society, which is free from stereotypes, gender-based violence and discrimination. Hence, the SWV team took a serious responsibility in declaring July 27 as a day to promote social, economic and political equality for both women and men. Every year, the SWV team enthusiastically waits for this day with plenty of new and creative ideas. The preparation process, though very tedious and troublesome, is usually inspiring and also fun. Nevertheless, it is the result of our hard work and dedication that makes it possible to bring the July 27 event to life every year.

This year we celebrated the Gender Equality day in the heart of Armenia-in the center of the city of Yerevan. The event this year was titled “Victorious women, harmonic society” fest. We decided to bring something new to our celebration. After we introduced the message of the day to our volunteers and initiated an interesting project and filmed a video where they explained the concept of gender and gender equality.  However, we did not stop there and organized “I am visible” art competition. Talented artists from all over the country took part in the competition. Artists submitted unique and interesting pieces of art work, which expressed the vital role women in public life. Two winners were chosen (one selected by the SWV team, the other was based on social media voting).  However, we did not limit ourselves just to the competition and video.  The designs were so beautiful, that we printed some of them on notebooks, bags, t-shirts, postcards and put them on sale. The proceeds generated from the sale are to be used for other activities directed towards female empowerment in Armenia.  Since there are many noteworthy initiatives and projects to fund in Armenia, we let those who bought the designs select where funding should go. Customers were given cards, where they could select which project, in their opinion, is worthier to fund. 

To raise awareness, a concert was organized, and several singers and bands performed. They all strongly supported the idea of having a gender equality day.  Some of them expressed their support and sent messages to their audience during their performance. 

Finally, the day we were looking forward arrived. Because this event was shedding light onto such an important cause, we did our best before and during the event. SWV can proudly say that the day served its purpose.  People came to the mentioned location to buy items with beautiful designs, which expressed the idea of women’s visibility in society and made their small contribution.  Some of them took booklets, which explained gender concept and gender equality.  It was so inspiring to see that many enthusiastic people show interest in our event.  Others decided to join the performers on the spot.  A volunteer from the audience, a Georgian tourist, expressed his willingness to sing during the concert.

To conclude, SWV is proud to organize such a day.  It is essential to raise awareness about gender issues because only knowledge can fight and win.  We will go on with organizing such days, as we have done in the last eight years. 

This module aims to contribute the creation and implementation of the National Action Plan on the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325. The Society Without Violence NGO and Global Network of Women Peacebuilders initiated a public campaign and an educational training series on the UNSCR 1325. The training contains theoretical knowledge and statistical data necessary for trainers to train government officials, representatives of international organization and civil society organizations as well as other interested parties – individuals, experts, and journalists that deal with women’s issues.

This module was developed in partnership with Global Network of Women Peacebuilders within the framework of the “Local, National and Regional Strategies to Improve the Implementation of UNSCR 1325 in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine” project funded by the Austrian Development Agency.

Attachments:

NAP modul ENG.pdf

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6667 kB