“March against gender-based violence” Gyumri-Yerevan

 12.09.2012

On September 5th, 2012 Women Resource Center NGO took the initiative with a group of activists and went to 5 days long Gyumri-Yerevan march against gender-based violence/domestic violence, sexual violence/.

The aim of the walk was to raise awareness on gender-based violence in regions.

During the walk it was intended to pass several villages and towns, such as Gyumri, Azatan, Nor Kyanq, Artik, Maralik, Landjik, Mastara, Talin, Katnakhbyur, Nerqin Bazmaberd, Shamiram, Kosh, Ujan, Ashtarak, Proshyan, Qasakh. But as a result awareness was raised in 3 more villages as well: in Darevanq, Davtashen and Dzorakap.

During the march discussions were led with about 3000 women, and meetings were hold in 16 schools.

During the march several problems were pointed out:

1. People don't accept dubbing as violence.

2. In most villages the majority of men are working overseas almost whole year long, and are back home only several months a year. In many families there are several still very young daughters-in-law, whose husbands are abroad, and they are under the dominion of their father-in-law.

3. In the villages there are no NGOs, no opportunities to raise awareness, and other services.

4. Most of people think that nowadays they are more educated and economically more secured; therefore there is no violence in villages.