Days of Activism against Gender Violence” Campaign: Press Conference and Photo Exhibition

Days of Activism against Gender Violence” Campaign: Press Conference and Photo ExhibitionForum theatre performance, rock concert, presentation of survey results and much more – during the “16-Days” campaignYerevan, 25 November 2010 – Today at UN House, UNFPA, United Nations Population Fund, held a press conference devoted to launching of “16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence” campaign in Armenia, with participation of Mr. Filaret Berikyan, Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Issues, Mr. Garik Hayrapetyan, Assistant Representative, UNFPA Armenia, and Mrs. Jina Sargizova, “Combating Gender Based Violence in the South Caucasus” Project Coordinator, UNFPA Armenia. The speakers presented the campaign details and talked about the current situation with gender violence in Armenia, as well as the Government policy for combating gender violence.Messages from UN Secretary General and UNFPA Executive Director devoted to November 25 – the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, were distributed during the press conference. The “16-Days” campaign calendar of events was also distributed presenting a variety of events such as a theatre performance, rock concert, presentation of results of a survey on violence against women, PSA and film screenings, information meetings and seminars in Yerevan and throughout Armenia. The planned activities focus on cultural and national aspects of violence against women, including domestic violence, trafficking and HIV/AIDS twin pandemics, men’s participation and role in combating gender-based violence (GBV) and the importance of the youth involvement in anti-GBV movement. The press conference was followed by opening of a photo exhibition on the topic of “Violence against Women”, displaying photographs from a regional photo contest on the same topic. After the opening, the winners of the contest were announced and awarded: Sara Anjargolian with “Narine’s Song” (1st prize), Arman Mkrtchyan (Archie) with “Violence” (2nd prize), and Ani Avetisyan with “Marionette”. The “16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence” is an international campaign that runs from November 25 to December 10, International Human Rights Day. The brutal murder of 14 Canadian female students in 1989 triggered creation of two global campaigns: 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence and the White Ribbon Campaign. Since 1991, more than 2,000 organizations in 156 countries have participated in the 16 Days Campaign. The campaign has been implemented in Armenia since 2001.