Statement by the Delegation of Armenia - Ms. Syuzanna Martirosyan, Third Secretary of the Permanent Mission of Armenia to the UN, at the UNGA79 Third Committee under the agenda[...]

Mr. Chair,

I would like to congratulate you and the members of the Bureau and wish success in steering the work of the Third Committee.

Advancement of women is pivotal for effectively addressing global challenges and contributing to a more resilient and equitable world for all. The principle of gender equality is incorporated across all legislation of the Republic of Armenia, encompassing both the Constitution and sectoral laws.

This commitment is further reflected in the country's policymaking, which focuses on protecting and promoting women's rights through inclusive and gender-responsive regulations. To this end, Armenia has recently developed the 2024-2028 Strategy for the implementation of gender policy, which identifies six key priorities aligned with contemporary challenges. These priorities focus on overcoming gender discrimination, encouraging gender-sensitive approaches in social and economic spheres, addressing discrimination in education and science, ensuring equal opportunities in health, combating gender-based violence, and developing gender-sensitive strategies for climate change. Each of these areas is critical for advancing gender equality and enhancing the role of women in society.

As a part of our broader commitment to gender equality, Armenia has been working to ensure women's greater participation and leadership in political, economic, and social life. Currently, women occupy over 36% of the seats in the National Assembly of Armenia, reflecting a meaningful increase in women's representation in decision-making processes. This progress is supported by a number of state-led initiatives aimed at women's economic empowerment, implemented in partnership with the UN agencies. According to the Women, Business and the Law 2024 index, Armenia's achievements in economic advancement for women exceed the regional average, with a substantial 40% representation of women in the IT sector-double the global average.

In our efforts to combat gender-based violence, Armenia's Criminal Code, adopted in 2021 and enforced in 2022, criminalizes various forms of gender-based violence. This legislative measure reinforces our commitment to protecting the rights of women and girls and ensuring that they can live free from violence and discrimination.

Armenia is in the process of the ratification of the Violence and Harassment Convention 2019 (No. 190) of the International Labour Organisation.

To address gender gaps and meet the international commitments, Armenia has prepared the National Review to the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, which reflects on the progress made in gender equality.

Within the framework of Women, Peace, and Security agenda, Armenia has developed its Third National Action Plan in implementation of the UN Security Council Resolution 1325. This plan aims to enhance women's roles in conflict prevention, peacebuilding, and peacemaking. The current National Action Plan for 2022-2024 emphasizes involving local self-governing bodies and fostering cooperation to effectively implement our gender equality strategies. It addresses emerging issues affecting women in border regions, particularly those impacted by military violence and forced displacement from Nagorno-Karabakh. Through programmes that are tailored to enhance skills and employability, Armenia has been working to foster gender equality, economic independence, and resilience among the displaced population, despite the adversities they have faced. This includes state-led initiatives to provide housing, create job opportunities, and ensure access to essential social, health, and educational resources.

Mr. Chair,

By addressing the structural inequalities that perpetuate injustices, Armenia is committed to promote gender equality. In recent years, Armenia has been actively engaged in the work of UN Commission on the Status of Women through its Chairmanship at its 64th and 65th Sessions, continuously demonstrating steadfast commitment to the principles outlined in the Political Declaration and the Agreed Conclusions of the Commission. As we continue to contribute to these important agenda, we reaffirm our dedication to advancing the rights of women and girls, domestically and globally.

I thank you.