Ombudsman: Despite recent progress, gender equality issue remains a  serious concern

ArmInfo.  On January 23, an event entitled "Preventin Sex-Selective Abortion: Raising Awareness and Shaping Public Opinion" was held in  Ijevan, Tavush  Region. The initiative was a collaboration between the Office of the  Human Rights Defender and the Embassy of the Kingdom of the  Netherlands in Armenia. According to the Ombudsman's press service,  participants included representatives from the Tavush  Governor's  Office, civil society organizations, and other interested parties.  Opening remarks were delivered by the RA Human Rights Defender,  Anahit Manasyan, and the Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands  to Armenia, Marieke Monroy-Winter.

Addressing the issue of sex-selective abortions, Anahit Manasyan  noted that despite steps taken in recent years, the matter remains a  grave concern, particularly regarding human rights protection and  gender equality. "Usually, when society speaks of equality, it is  often perceived as an attempt to grant privileges to specific groups,  which is fundamentally wrong. In reality, it is not about privileges,  but about ensuring equal opportunities. Focusing on the rights of  specific groups highlights problems in the realization of their  rights, regardless of the size of the group. The fact is that there  are obstacles that must be overcome," Manasyan stated.

The screening was followed by a panel discussion featuring Anahit  Manasyan, Marieke Monroy-Winter, the founding director of the  "Article 3" club, Gayane Abrahamyan, and the executive director of  the BKMA (CSKA) football club Gagik Aghbalyan. The discussion was  moderated by Larisa Harutyunyan, Political and Economic Affairs  Officer at the Dutch Embassy.

Concluding the event, the Human Rights Defender emphasized that such  initiatives are vital not only for raising public awareness but also  for creating an environment based on equality and solidarity. Anahit  Manasyan stressed the importance of unifying efforts to address  issues on the ground and reiterated the Ombudsman's willingness to  support relevant initiatives.