OSCE Senior Adviser on Gender Issues takes part in opening of Women's Resource Centres in southern Armenia

KAPAN, Armenia, 2 October 2009 - The OSCE Senior Adviser on Gender Issues, Jamila Seftaoui helped open OSCE-supported Women's Resource Centres in southern Armenia today that aim to support women's active participation in the region's social, economic and political life.

"More than through education or family circumstances, women's advancement is ensured through being able to make an economic livelihood for themselves and their families," Seftaoui said at the opening of the centre in the towns of Kapan. She will also attend the opening tomorrow of a center in Goris, also in the southern Syunik region.

The two centres and a similar one in Meghri were established by women's rights activists with the support of the OSCE Office in Yerevan. They aim to help women develop skills for more sustainable social and economic development. The support to the centres forms part of the OSCE Office's work to promote gender equality in Armenia.

"Making full use of women's capacities is a perquisite for democratic development. Countries that have a high degree of gender balance in public and economic life tend to be more democratic and prosperous than those that do not," said Carel Hostra, the deputy head of the OSCE Office.

Narine Khlopuzyan, the Chairwoman of Kapan Women Resource Centre, added: "These centres will increase opportunities for women in the region, foster their competitiveness and enhance the professional skills, hence making a lasting difference in their lives."

Seftaoui took part in the opening of the centres during a five-day visit to Armenia that ends tomorrow. During the visit, she also discussed outstanding priorities to achieve gender equality in the country with officials including the Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Issues, Filaret Berikyan, and the Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Human Rights and Public Affairs of the National Assembly, Mkhitar Mnatsakanyan. She also held working sessions with representatives of women NGOs, international organizations and several gender experts.

"Gender equality is a fundamental human right and a value essential to the OSCE's comprehensive security mandate. I encourage the Armenian decision-makers to adopt pending draft laws to combat violence against women and to implement the national action plan on gender equality comprehensively. Civil society initiatives are essential to accelerate the advancement of women's empowerment on a community level," said Seftaoui.