REAL MEN DON’T BEAT WOMEN
A1+
[08:03 pm] 25 November, 2008
"End to women’s violence", "Silence is dishonorable", "Sexual abuse
is a crime", "A real man doesn’t beat women"-these were just some
of the posters held by members of the "Women’s Resource Center" NGO
and other organizations as they organized a march on International
Women’s Violence Day.
"Sexual abuse against women is still active today because women are
silent and the purpose of this march is to break the silence," told
"A1" correspondent of the "Women’s Resource Center" NGO Tatevik
Aghabekyan.
According to her, although there was a notice for the march a couple
of days ago, there was not much turnout.
Aghabekyan believes that the main impediment is not shedding enough
light on violence against women and the lack of organizations fighting
for sexually abused women.
The women were passing out flyers and putting them up on the walls
during the marches in Yerevan. The last stop was near the Government
building where participants handed a letter to the Armenian Premier. In
the letter, the women call on the Premier to help the organizations
fighting against violence against women, draft a state program aimed
at preventing abuse, create resource centers in the Marzes and concede
money from the state budget.
Foreign volunteers were also participating in the
march. Lebanese-Armenian Nara Aharonyan was there with her 6 year-old
daughter.
"There is violence everywhere. There are countries that have resources
and help women in these situations. Armenian women want to speak out,
but they are afraid and ashamed," told "A1+" Nara Aharonyan. Dutch
Oliver Van Lishaut said: "This is bad. I have three sisters and
three daughters. Fifty-percent of mankind are women and they must be
treated equally."
During the march, "A1+" conducted some surveys among residents of
Yerevan. According to a majority of Armenian men, there are not many
cases of violence against women in Armenia.
"Men and women must solve family problems together. I don’t think it
is right to raise the issues because they are strictly personal. The
wife should not make her husband feel ashamed," said fifth-year
student of the Conservatory Gevorg Elbakyan.
The girls and women surveyed said that they consider divorce as the
best option.
During the march, women were passing out papers with the names of women
who have made contributions in Armenia, but have been forgotten. Among
these women are Zabel Yesayan, Mariam Khatisyan, Satenik Ohanjanyan
and others.