OSCE supports publishing of book on gender culture in Armenia

YEREVAN, 19 July 2001 (OSCE) - Jemma Hasratyan, Chairwoman of the Association of Women with University Education, introduced to the public in Armenia a book on "Gender culture of modern Armenian society: traditions and innovations".

The publication of this book has been made possible with OSCE support and is a follow-up to the Conference on Gender culture held this May, during which young academics, researchers, and undergraduates had an opportunity to present their views on gender issues.

Participating students from Yerevan State University, the Northern University, Public Administration school, and the Pedagogical Institutes of the regional centres Gyumri and Vanadzor expressed to the organizers their deep appreciation for having been given an opportunity to add their voices to the discussion on the development of the current situation.

Congratulating students and the main contributors to the event, Tamara Aloyan, representing the Ministry of Education, acknowledged with appreciation the involvement of youth and the contribution to the promotion of gender equality principles in the country. She stressed the particular importance of the book in the process of raising public awareness and the formation of a well-educated and open-minded society.

The book compiles proceedings of the Conference on Gender culture, and includes presentations focusing on the analysis of the current gender situation in the Armenian society. Other issues include women's civic and political participation, gender stereotypes, legal protection of women, women's role in administrative and decision-making systems, gender relations in families, violence against women, and feminism as a civic movement. The present publication is intended primarily for researchers and instructors who teach gender courses but it may also be useful for a broader readership.

The OSCE Office in Yerevan was established in February 2000 to promote the implementation of OSCE principles and commitments as well as the co-operation of the Republic of Armenia within the OSCE framework, in all OSCE dimensions, including the human, political, political and environmental aspects of security and stability.

--

For further information please contact Gohar Avagyan, Information Officer, OSCE Office in Yerevan, tel.: +374 1 54 10 62, +374 1 54 58 45; e-mail: osce@osce.am.