HRC 56th Session: Annual Discussion on Women’s Rights

Delivered by Ms. Lilit Toutkhalian, Minister Extraordinary and Envoy Plenipotentiary

Mr. President,

In its last concluding observations, the UN CEDAW welcomed Armenia's efforts to improve its institutional and policy frameworks aimed at promoting gender equality. Indeed, much has been achieved in this regard.

The participation of Armenian women in the national parliament is more than 35 percent, which is higher from the world average. According to Women, Business and the Law 2024 index Armenia's performance is higher than the regional average observed across Europe. We have one of the world record numbers of women participation in the IT sector, exceeding 40 percent. Our own Foreign Ministry employs around 52 percent women.

In 2019, the Government of Armenia established the Council on Women's Affairs whose primary goal is to assist in the introduction of mechanisms which would allow greater participation of women. Also, the "Women's Economic Empowerment Accelerator" program has been launched in Armenia jointly with the UNDP. The Program aims at promoting women's entrepreneurship by increasing the demand for women in the labor market.

Armenia remains committed to the equal participation of women in the political, economic, social and cultural advancement of our country.

Thank you.

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