Armenia’s Human Rights Defender says stereotypes limit women’s participation in armed forces
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Women’s participation in the armed forces has increased, but their representation at the decision-making level remains limited. Speaking at a roundtable discussion organized in cooperation between the Human Rights Defender’s Office and the Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance (DCAF), Human Rights Defender of Armenia Anahit Manasyan said that persistent stereotypes in society, including the misconception that the armed forces and security systems are not for women, remain a major obstacle to expanding women’s participation.
The event was dedicated to the topic “Promoting Women’s Participation in the Armed Forces of Armenia and the Role of Military Education in Advancing Gender Equality.”
Anahit Manasyan emphasized that gender stereotypes convey distorted perceptions of the social roles of women and men and hinder the full realization of equality before the law.
“The rigid division of the social roles of women and men continues to pose a serious challenge to equality before the law and the elimination of discrimination. Speaking about the specific features of stereotypes, I consider it important to mention the widespread misconception that the armed forces and security systems are supposedly not for women. Unfortunately, this stereotype continues to persist in our society as well,” the Human Rights Defender said.
According to her, these perceptions also provide grounds for targeting women when aspects of their personal lives and other circumstances are used against women serving in the armed forces and security systems. As a result, the effectiveness of their participation is called into question and jeopardized, which requires a consistent response.
Manasyan also addressed cases of sexual harassment against women, which are widespread throughout the world. She emphasized the importance of applying prevention mechanisms, clearly addressing the problems and involving all stakeholders in resolving them.
“Despite the steps taken by the state and the positive developments, we cannot turn a blind eye to existing negative phenomena or pretend that they do not exist. Some problems persist, and if we do not take serious and consistent steps today to overcome these stereotypes, they will continue to persist in our environment,” Anahit Manasyan said.
The Human Rights Defender also emphasized the importance of continuously improving service conditions, noting that genuine equality entails not only equal treatment but also the creation of conditions that take women’s specific needs into account.
She said that joint and consistent efforts by state bodies, civil society organizations and international partners are necessary to ensure the effective protection of women’s rights.
The opening of the event also featured remarks by MP Vilen Gabrielyan, Chair of the Parliamentary Committee on Defense and Security; Deputy Minister of Defense Arman Sargsyan; and Antje Fritz, DCAF Deputy Head for Europe and Asia and Head of DCAF’s Support Program in Armenia.
The discussion addressed opportunities and challenges related to expanding women’s participation in the armed forces, overcoming discrimination, creating an inclusive environment and the role of military education in promoting gender equality.
Participants included representatives of the Human Rights Defender’s Office, state bodies and civil society, as well as Armenian and international experts. The Armenian-language version of DCAF’s handbook “Teaching Gender in the Military” was also presented.