Powerful posters against sexual violence in Armenia and South Caucasus

These bold and powerful posters prepared by the Armenian group of the Young Women’s Network of the South Caucasus (see their Facebook page).

There are stereotypes and prejudices that contribute to the rooting within the society of an idea that the victim is to be blamed for sexual violence, rape or sexual harassment. Young Women’s Network of the South Caucasus aimed at exposing such common stereotypes by encouraging the public to fight against them. “There is no justification for sexual violence” - say Young Women’s Network members.

“Ապրիլ. Սեռական բռնության իրազեկման ամիս. 
Մեր իրականությունում կան կարծրատիպեր և նախապաշարմունքներ, որ նպաստում են հասարակության մեջ այն մտքի արմատավորմանը, որ սեռական բռնության զոհն է մեղավոր՝ բռնաբարության կամ սեռական բնույթի ոտնձգությունների ենթարկվելու համար: Երիտասարդ կանանց ցանցի անդամները բարձրաձայնում են Հայաստնում, Վրաստանում Աբխազիայում և Ադրբեջանում տարածված նմանատիպ կարծրատիպերի մասին՝ հորդորելու հասարակությանը պայքարել դրանց դեմ: 
Չկա արդարացում սեռական բռնության համար՝ բարձրաձայնում են Երիտասարդ կանանց ցանցի անդամները:”

Reports (Epress.am): Armenia Defense Ministry insists no sexual assault incident at Goris military base

*via Epress.am

Armenian Defense Ministry Insists No Sexual Assault Incident at Goris Military Base

Epress.am received news of an incident that took place in one of the military bases in Goris last week: apparently a high-ranking officer, entering the base, witnessed three soldiers sexually assaulting another soldier.

As a form of punishment, the officer allegedly shot at the feet of the abusers.

Epress.am spoke with senior public relations officer of the Special Investigative Service at the RA Ministry of Defense Meri Sargsyan, who noted that no such incident took place.

“This information is not true,” she said.

'Stop violence’ with... violence. P.S. re recent abuse and violence scandals in Armenia

Starting with the case of that Nubarashen school pedophile teacher, then army and school abuse videos, and then the highly publicised recent domestic violence case, what I noticed - not infrequently - that some people, even among ‘stop violence’ campaigners, in the heat of emotional debate call for lynching of those suspected in abuse or violence. [...]

Let’s take a very recent example of domestic violence in Armenia, that rightly resulted in an outrage, and petition was launched (I supported and signed it) calling for law against domestic violence.

In total, there were 3196 signatures with/without comments, now passed to the prime minister.

A friend of mine disturbed by certain comments posted on the petition 'Armenia Must Pass Domestic Violence Legislation', compiled a list of all of those signatories (28 in total) who "wished bodily violence and death upon the husband and/or mother-in-law of Zaruhi Petrosyan".  He rightly pointed out that “we need to prevent domestic violence, not practice lynch mob rule”. 

It is also disturbing that a person (e.g. petition signatory 3179, screenshot below) would use a slanderous and bigoted term about a sexual minority group to express his anger over a domestic violence issue. This ‘injustice by injustice’ approach totally devalues his own signature.

Read full post on Unzipped

HIV and human rights: HIV/AIDS educational campaign in Gyumri and Vanadzor 4-6 December 2009 supported by OSI Armenia

*press release in Armenian

Բաց Հասարակության ինստիտուտի Հայաստանի մասնաճյուղի նախաձեռնությամբ 2009թ-ի դեկտեմբերի 4-ից մինչև 6-ը Հայաստանի մի շարք մարզերում իրականացվում է ՄԻԱՎ/ՁԻԱՀ-ի դեմ պայքարի համաշխարհային օրվան նվիրված քարոզարշավ:

Քարոզարշավի շրջանակներում նախատեսվում է Գյումրի, Վանաձոր քաղաքներում կազմակերպել կլոր-սեղան քննարկումներ և հեռուստաեթերներ, որոնց ժամանակ հանրությանը կներկայացվեն ներարկային թմրամիջոցներ օգտագործողների, նույնասեռականների, սեռական ծառայություններ մատուցող անձանց, ինչպես նաև կանանց ու երիտասարդների խնդիրները ՄԻԱՎ/ՁԻԱՀ համատեքստում: Կքննարկվի նրանց իրավունքների և հիմնարար ազատությունների լիարժեք իրականացման անհրաժեշտությունը` որպես ՄԻԱՎ/ՁԻԱՀ համաճարակի դեմ գլոբալ պայքարի կարևորագույն բաղադրիչ, քանի որ հանրային առողջության պաշտպանությունը հնարավոր է միայն մարդու բոլոր իրավունքները պաշտպանելու միջոցով:

Քարոզարշավին մասնակցում են խոցելի խմբերի շահերի պաշտպանություն իրականացնող մի շարք կազմակերպություններ, այդ թվում` Հելսինկյան Քաղաքացիական Ասամբլեայի Վանաձորի գրասենյակ, Հակաթմրամոլային քաղաքացիական դաշինք, Իրական Աշխարհ, Իրական Մարդիկ, ինչպես նաև Հանրային տեղեկատվություն և գիտելիքի կարիք հասարակական կազմակերպությունները:

Առաջին կլոր-սեղան քննարկումը կիրականացվի դեկտեմբերի 4-ին ժամը 16.00-ին Գյումրի լրագրողների Ասպարեզ ակումբում: Նույն օրը` ժամը 20.00-ին Գյումրիի Ցայգ հեռուստաընկերության ուղիղ եթերով կկայանա հեռուստաքննարկում, որին կմասնակցեն վերը նշված կազմակերպությունների ներկայացուցիչները:

Երկրորդ կլոր-սեղան քննարկումը կիրականացվի Վանաձորում` դեկտեմբերի 5-ին ժամը 15.00-ին, իսկ հեռուստաքննարկումը կկայանա ժամը 19.00-ին Վանաձորի Լոռի հեռուստաընկերության ուղիղ եթերով:

Լրացուցիչ տեղեկավության ստացման համար կարող եք դիմել Հելսինկյան Քաղաքացիական Ասամբլեայի Վանաձորի գրասենյակ` Իրավական աջակցություն Լոռու, Շիրակի, Տավուշի մարզերի և Երևանի թմրամիջոց գործածողներին ծրագրի համակարգող Ելենա Սարգսյանին (հեռախոս 374322 4 22 68, hcav@hcav.am)

Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly Vanadzor Office

Armenia: violence against women (posters, part 2)

For part 1 - see Unzipped

Look at these posters. Difficult, I know. Chilling, I know. ...But do not turn away. Let’s face up these real life stories of violence against women still happening in our society.

These posters will be translated into Armenian, and used throughout the country as part of the campaign by Women’s Resource Centre to stop violence against women.

On November 25th, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, the Women’s Resource Center in Yerevan will mobilize community members and other NGOs to protest gender violence. The events planned for November 25th will mark the beginning of 16 days of activism to end violence against women and girls, which will include an exhibition and film screening at Kino Moscow in December. This will be the fourth year that the Women’s Resource Center has joined countries around the world in organizing events on November 25th to raise awareness about the issue of gender violence.

*posters by zArt - Araz Artinian

Armenia: 16 days of activism to Stop Violence Against Women and Girls

(my posts with pictures and video from previous year events - here and here)

Host: Women's Resource Center
Start Time: Wednesday, 25 November 2009 at 11:15
End Time: Thursday, 10 December 2009 at 14:15
Location: Yerevan, Armenia

In 2006, we marched to raise awareness on the issue of violence against women and asked the foreign minister to implement the recommendations proposed in the UN security council resolution 1325.

In 2007, we marched to ask the parliament and the government to include more funding allocated in the national budget for women (resources, services and shelters) in the cities and rural areas of Armenia.

In 2008, we marched and held a silent protest on republic square to show our disappointment on how authorities, the media and other institutions are not paying enough attention to the situation of violence against women.

And this year, we are marching again on the streets of Yerevan and breaking the silence around violence against women by raising our voice and concerns on the issue. We will also hold a candle lighting ceremony in the middle of the city in memory and in support of all the women and girls violated, battered or harassed in their own homes, in our institutions or on the streets.

JOIN US!
In solidarity with our sisters, daughters and mothers, let's break the silence on violence against women and girls in Armenia and around the world!

Program : Activism to stop violence against women

November 11-14, 20-22:
3 days workshop on violence against women (open to all, places are limited, please call to register) at the Women's Resource Center, phone: 010 51 91 68

November 25, 2009:
11 am – 2 pm: Awareness groups stationed in different parts of the city talking about violence against women.
4:30 pm: March towards Aznavur square and candle lighting ceremony.

December 5-8, 2009:
Collective Art Exhibition on Violence Against Women at Kino Moscow.

December 5-6, 2009:
Film screening at Kino Moscow on Violence against Women.

*via event's Facebook page

Must see: Zara - “Karmir Khndzor” (‘Red Apple’)

I saw the preview of this clip by Zara “Karmir Khndzor” (‘Red Apple’) while in Yerevan. Now it’s released. Love it. Well done, Zara. 



And what an influence the action by Women’s Resource Centre and activists is having. Pay attention to the ending of this clip - ‘burial of Red Apple’. And now read the story of 8 March 2009 in Yerevan:  International Women’s Day in Armenia: small. It may have been small, but its impact and influence are evident. (more about this tradition and meaning of the ‘funeral’ – here)

*photos - by Onnik Krikorian / Oneworld Multimedia 2009 (+ The Caucasian Knot - Oneworld Multimedia Facebook Group)

KIN - International Women's Film Festival in Yerevan, Armenia (1-5 Dec 09)

I can't believe I've never heard of this festival before. And it's on the 6th year run now. (thanks to the links posted by friends on Facebook)

The organisers have to publicise it more. Programming, scope, aims... everything with this festival sounds pretty exciting and groundbreaking for the South Caucasus and the broader region. Apparently, it was the first of its kind in Caucasus when launched in 2004.

First International Film Festival "KIN" (kin means “a woman” in Armenian) was held in Yerevan on 8-12 December 2004. It was going to be the first event of the kind to be held in the Caucasus. The purpose of the festival is to address through films issues of violence, inequality, discrimination and other problems related to women’s rights and gender problems. The festival’s goal is promote women's creativity, establish a network between women filmmakers from different parts of the world and give hand to a better understanding of different cultures and each other.

International Women's Film Festival "KIN", 6-th edition, 1-5 December 2009

The 6-th International Film Festival «KIN» (kin means "a woman" in Armenian), will be held in Yerevan on 1-5 December 2009. The festival's goal is promote women's creativity, establish a network between women filmmakers from different parts of the world and give hand to a better understanding of different cultures and each other. The purpose of the festival is to address through films issues of violence, inequality, discrimination and other problems related to women's rights and gender problems.

The deadline for submissions - 1 September 2009.

Women protests in Turkey to mark 8 March

Women Protesters "Will Not Leave the Streets"
Bianet

Housewives, students, sex workers, journalists, politicians, transsexuals, teachers, homosexuals, unemployed were yesterday united in a march along Istiklal street, the pedestrian precinct in Beyoğlu, central Istanbul.

Women’s Day had been marked by protests and marches during the day, but yesterday women also walked under the slogan “We will not leave the streets.” More...

*source of pictures - Bianet

Thousands of Women Marked 8 March in Kadıköy
Bianet

Around 6,000 women walked through Kadkköy, a district on the Asian side of Istanbul, and congregated at Kadıköy square yesterday (8 March) to mark International Women’s Day.

The 8 March Women’s Platform carried placards and shouted slogans, saying “We will resist the patriarchal capitalist system. We insist, we are decided.” More...

International Women’s Day in Armenia: small women’s march, riot police van, 'private burial' of “Red Apple”, business as usual

It was business as usual in Armenia marking International Women’s Day. Still, overwhelmingly, it was “flowers and chocolates” for women. Only few, very few in fact, tried to make it somehow relevant.

Women’s Resource Centre , along with some other NGOs and supporters marched via downtown Yerevan, calling for equal rights, and held a ‘private burial’ of “Red Apple” (more about this tradition and meaning of the ‘funeral’ – here)

Onnik Krikorian posts photographs and an account of how these civil society groups marked International Women's Day in Armenia on the Frontline Club blog.

There were attempts at disrupting the event by some. Some of those ‘defenders of traditions’ were discussing the other day on their blogs the option (among others) of bribing religious women at Yerevan churches (!!) so that they will come and disrupt the action. No surprises here.

Twice the marchers were stopped by police, which was a clear violation of the Armenian Constitution and laws allowing any march of less than 100 people to pass without a prior authorisation. To see a riot police van accompanying a small women’s march, that’s something. How frightened are they with any display of rights movement...

Overall, machismo was on full display in Armenia on International Women’s Day.

Sadly, I have to agree with Onnik Krikorian that “...the day illustrated how tradition and patriarchal attitudes are slow to die out in countries such as Armenia. Basically, if anyone is expecting a female liberation movement, let alone a sexual revolution, to occur anytime soon, well, don’t hold your breath.”

On the other hand, thanks to that small group of activists, the hope for changes in our country stays at least alive. Well done to Women’s Resource Centre and supporters for making International Women’s Day in Armenia somehow relevant to its real meaning.

*all photos - by Onnik Krikorian / Oneworld Multimedia 2009 (+ The Caucasian Knot - Oneworld Multimedia Facebook Group)

Women's Month in Armenia - 2009

It is soon Women's Day in Armenia and this year women are asking for more than flowers and chocolate, they are asking for equal rights, equal opportunities and a life without violence.

The Women's Resource Center in cooperation with other NGOs is launching the activites for the Month dedicated to women's issues in Armenia.

Events:

MARCH 7
Photo exhibition -- Armenian women; Yesterday, today, tomorrow / time :10am @ Sayat Nova 4
FILM -- "Finding Zabel Yesayan" / time: 2 and 5pm @ Sayat Nova 4 (by invitations)

MARCH 8
"Burying the Red Apple" Ceremony @ 3pm from Zarubyan 34

MARCH 12
FILM and DISCUSSION on lesbian women @ 5pm - Zarubyan 34

MARCH 20
CLean up of Armenian women writers' tombstones at the Pantheon @ 11am

APRIL 2 - APRIL 12
ART EXHIBITION -- "ALL and NOW" / ART 4 - ARVARSTAN
curator: Eva Khachatryan

APRIL 6
Round Table discussion on "Abortion in Armenia"

Sexual Assault Crisis Center of Yerevan (SACC)

SACC is a community resource for victims of sexual assault.

Hotline: 0 800 01 280 (Armenia)
Working hours: 11-18:00 Monday to Saturday

SACC can tell you about resources available in Yerevan and help you get through the aftermath of a recent or past sexual assault and regain control of your life.

Services available at the SACC:
- Hotline / phone counselling
- individual counselling
- refferals

SACC can accompany you in any proceedings you decide to undertake (medical, legal or other).

"Sexual assault is an act of a sexual nature, whether or not it involves physical contact, carried out by an individual without the consent of the person to whom it is addressed or, in some cases, notably those involving children, by manipulation of feelings or blackmail".

Sexual violence is a crime that continues as a result of our silence.
Let’s break that silence!

*Facebook group

Turkey: police dispersed women march against domestic and sexual violence

Armenian women did march in Yerevan to protest domestic and sexual violence. This action was organised to coincide with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.

In Turkey, women groups were not able to fully exercise their right to protest. Instead, they were met by... police barricades. As Bianet reports, police dispersed attempts at marching in Istanbul:

"The police did not allow the march of the women on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.

About three hundred women shouted the slogan “Barricades for murderers, not for women” in front of the police barricade.

The November 25 Women’s Platform’s exhibition to protest the violence against women, which was held in front of the Galatasaray High School at Taksim, Istanbul at noon time yesterday, was dispersed by the police resorting violence.

The women were at the Streetcar Station at 19:30 to march to the Galatasaray High School, only to be stopped by the police. Platform's spokespeople said that they had reported the march and they had been replied positively. The Police told the women that they could hold the press release, but would not be permitted to march. According to the laws, marching does not require any permission. The women protested the police with whistles, slogans and songs until 21:30."

Bianet notes that women groups decided to mark the March 8 Women’s Day at the same place.

*photo - via Bianet

Armenian women march against domestic and sexual violence (video)

For background of the story - here.

Sadly, turnout was very low. Still, whoever marched today, well done! (video via A1+)

There’s no pride in silence: domestic and sexual violence against women in Armenia

25 November marked by the UN resolution as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. UN resolution calls “governments, international organizations and NGOs to organize activities designated to raise public awareness of the problem on that day. Women's activists have marked 25 November as a day against violence since 1981. This date came from the brutal assassination in 1960, of the three Mirabal sisters, political activists in the Dominican Republic, on orders of Dominican ruler Rafael Trujillo (1930-1961).” On 20 December 1993 the General Assembly adopted Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women.

Report issued today by the Amnesty International (to be formally launched in Yerevan tomorrow) suggests that “more than a quarter of women in Armenia have faced physical violence at the hands of husbands or other family members. Many of these women have little choice but to remain in abusive situations as reporting violence is strongly stigmatized in Armenian society.” (see details below)

Women’s Resource Centre in Armenia organises march against violence against women on 25 November 2008. (below are selected photos from last year's event)

There will be round-table discussion on sexual violence against women in Armenia on 27 November. Also, thanks to the initiative and cooperation of the U.S. Embassy and other organisations, Armenia's first-ever walkathon to raise awareness about domestic violence issues in Armenia is being organized in connection with the "16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence," spanning from November 25, International Day Against Violence Against Women, to December 10, International Human Rights Day. Walkathon for a Violence-Free Future for Women is on Sunday, November 30, 2008.

There’s no pride in silence: domestic and sexual violence against women in Armenia

Amnesty International /12 November 2008/

Full report

National surveys suggest that more than a quarter of women in Armenia have faced physical violence at the hands of husbands or other family members. Many of these women have little choice but to remain in abusive situations as reporting violence is strongly stigmatized in Armenian society.

Violence in the family takes many forms, ranging from isolation and the withholding of economic necessities, to physical and sexual violence, and even murder, yet women have few options to escape situations in which they are at risk.

Violence in the family is not defined in law separately from other kinds of violence involving strangers, and abused women face powerful pressures not to report violence to the police. Strong family bonds are an integral aspect of Armenian culture and women who report violence are seen as threatening the family and are pressured to keep domestic violence a private “family matter”.

The social stigma associated with separation or divorce is worse than that associated with domestic violence. The pressure not to report rape is even more powerful and rape victims commonly encounter the attitude that they are to blame.

Women who try to report violence in the family often experience social isolation, as friends, relatives and neighbours reject them. This culture of preserving silence on violence extends to the police force.

Women often experience reluctance on the part of the police to get involved, and in some cases the police endorse the view that domestic violence is a "family matter".

Since 2002, a handful of shelters have been operating despite facing widespread criticism for their part in making domestic violence a public issue. These shelters, which are run by non-governmental organizations, are reliant on intermittent funding, and most of them have been forced to close or reduce their operations in recent years due to lack of funds.

While shelters are not a catch-all solution, they fulfil a crucial role in providing women who face violence with an initial, short-term step out of their situation. Establishing a network of shelters must be a key element in government strategies to address the issue of violence against women in Armenia.

The fact that some state officials now acknowledge that violence against women actually exists both signifies progress, but also the fact that there is a long way to go. Some positive steps have been taken towards addressing violence against women:
• A draft law criminalizing domestic violence is currently under discussion.
• Police training programmes have been initiated to implement guidelines for police responsibilities in responding to domestic violence.

Amnesty International calls on the Armenian authorities to clearly and forcefully condemn violence against women. They must also take other urgent steps to change wider social attitudes to domestic and sexual violence. These should include, though not be restricted to, the following:
• Criminalizing domestic violence, facilitating its prevention and providing support to its victims and survivors;
• Ensuring that victims of domestic and sexual violence have access to the criminal justice system without facing pressure to withdraw their complaints;
• Raising awareness of family violence as a crime and a human rights violation.

Azerbaijan: Sexual violence

Universal Periodic Review, UN Human Rights

International organizations working in Azerbaijan conducted large-scale surveys on the issue of violence. The surveys found that about 30% of women experienced sexual harassment at work.[1] Another survey revealed that the social belief is that women should to quit their job if they experience sexual harassment from their employer or co-worker.[2] Articles 2 and 3 of the existing law on ‘Ensuring gender equality’ (2006) define sexual harassment in detail, article 4 states that sexual harassment is prohibited. Articles 11 and 12 regulate employment situations when sexual harassment has taken place and ban persecution of the person who reported sexual harassment by the employer. Article 12 states that the ‘labor contract of the victim of sexual harassment is discontinued as of the day when the victim applies for it’.[3] The body responsible for dealing with sexual harassment has monitoring nature and reports to the government annually. The existence of the legislation does not ensure protection from sexual harassment because mechanisms of its implementation and unclear and public is largely unaware of its existence.

Sexual harassment also exists within families with survey results indicating that out of 55% of the interviewed women who experienced sexual harassment, for 15% it came from step-father and 9% from father-in-law. The same survey indicated that 10% of the interviewed women were sexually abused with approximately 85% of abused women reporting marital rape.[4] Reportedly 99% of married women interviewed for another reproductive health survey were virgins at marriage and 98% had only one sexual partner.[5]

In case of rape the family usually tries to cover up that it happened and may offer the woman to marry the perpetrator if she is not married. Reporting a rape is also a long and humiliating endeavor in a society which blames the woman for being sexually abused. High level of corruption among law enforcement agencies makes it very difficult to punish the perpetrators.

Recommendations
- Research the situation in Azeri society in relation to sexual harassment
- Take measures to implement the existing legislation provisions
- Conduct public awareness campaigns to address the issue of sexual harassment and existing legal framework to address it
- Include marital rape in legislation and raise public awareness about the issue of consent in sexual relations

UPR report on Sexual and Reproductive Rights in Azerbaijan (via GenderStan)

[1] Survey of Azerbaijan Sociological Association (2001) quoted in Gender Assessment report p.8
[2] Human Development Report p. 71
[3] Text of the Law in Russian available at http://www.gender-az.org/index.shtml?id_doc=1128 (accessed 3 September 2008)
[4] Survey of Azerbaijan Sociological Association (2001) quoted in Gender Assessment Report p. 8
[5] Gender Assessment Report p. 15

Posters against sexual violence in Armenia

Queering Yerevan published two posters (here and here, below) made by Women's Resource Centre for their campaign against sexual violence.



This poster campaign looks like an impressive start to tackle these serious issues. Posters made are tasteful and arty. My main suggestion here is that for more mainstream campaign aimed at general public, it would be better to have less complex, more straightforward posters too so that the message will go through to the masses, as they say, in fact as wide as possible.